Garden balsam

Impatiens balsamina

Family: Balsaminaceae

Pet & Human Safety

People: Toxic to people (low severity)Pets: Not on the ASPCA lists as we read them

Hazardous parts

Leaves

Preparation

Not applicable; this is an ornamental plant.

Hazard type

NC State rates poison severity Low: large quantities eaten raw accumulate calcium oxalate, and breaking the stems or flowers leaves an orange stain.

Hazard route

ingestion of large quantities; NC State says it is not a dermatitis hazard

How complete this information is

The safety information on this page is partial. Where a source covers a point, it is shown; where none does, the page says so.

Toxic to pets

No ASPCA entry found.

Not assessed for pets: one ASPCA listing was found, and the NC State non-toxic tag has no stated source, so it does not count as a second source.

PlotAndPetal cannot tell you whether a plant you found can be eaten. Only someone who can see the plant can identify it.

Poison control

If someone has collapsed, cannot be woken, is having a seizure or has trouble breathing, call 911 now. For any other possible poisoning, call Poison Help: 1-800-222-1222.

Emergency number source: U.S. federal law (47 U.S.C. § 251(e)(3)), read 2026-10-07.

Naturalist Lore

Historical Background & Breeding Lore

The history of this plant and its name, and how it was bred, where we have them.

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Care

Hardiness zones: USDA zones 2a-11b (NC State Extension).
Light: Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) / Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Water needs: moderate

Soil & Drainage

Pruning & Flush Rhythm

Feeding Schedule

How to prepare the soil, when and what to feed, and how and when to prune where that applies.

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