Impatiens repens

RHS Plant Profile
creeping balsam

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creeping balsam RHS
Herbaceous Perennial
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A creeping evergreen perennial to 20cm high, with fleshy stems bearing small kidney-shaped leaves and hooded yellow flowers to 4cm long in summer and autumn

Position

Partial shade

Soil Types

Loam

Max Height

0.1-0.5 metres

Max Spread

0.1-0.5 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1–2 years
Max Spread
0.1-0.5 metres
Max Height
0.1-0.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Loam
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Partial shade
Aspect
East–facing or North–facing or West–facing
Exposure
Sheltered
Hardiness

Hardiness Ratings

All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets

  • H1A: under glass all year (>15C)
  • H1B: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
  • H1C: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
  • H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
  • H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
  • H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
  • H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
  • H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
  • H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)
H1B

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Balsaminaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Evergreen
Habit
Matforming
Genus
Impatiens can be annuals or evergreen perennials, with fleshy stems bearing simple, toothed leaves and solitary or clustered, spurred, 5-petalled flowers
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
Sri Lanka, India

How to Grow

Cultivation

Under glass grow in a humus rich, moist but well-drained soil in partial shade. If grown outdoors as summer bedding, provide a sheltered position with protection from wind

Propagation

Propagate by seed in the spring at 16-18C (61-64F) or take softwood cuttings in spring or early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Patio and container plants

Pruning

No pruning is required

Pests

Glasshouse red spider mite, glasshouse whitefly, vine weevil and aphids can be troublesome under glass

Diseases

Flower buds are susceptible to grey moulds in growing conditions that are too damp