- Variety Info
- Sowing Info
- Growing Info
Variety Info
Family: Balsaminaceae
Native: Exact origin unknown, possibly India
Hardiness: Annual
Exposure: Part shade. Balsam will adapt to a wide range of light from morning sun to nearly full shade. Where summers are hot, afternoon shade is especially important.
Bloom Period: Spring and summer
Plant Dimensions: 12"-16" tall; 12" wide
Variety Info: 3/4"-1" double blooms in shades of violet, white, salmon, rose, and scarlet.
Sowing Info
When to Sow Outside: 1 to 2 weeks after your average last frost date.
When to Start Inside: RECOMMENDED. 6 to 8 weeks before your average last frost date. Ideal soil temperature for germination is 65°-70°F.
Days to Emerge: 7 -14 days
Seed Depth: 1/8"
Seed Spacing: A group of 3 seeds every 12"
Thinning: When 1" tall, thin to 1 every 12"
Your hardiness zone is
Growing Info
Special Care: Balsam often reseed. Deadhead (remove spent blooms) if reseeding is not desired.
- Jana L.Rated 5 out of 5 stars8/3/25Absolutely breathtaking addition
This came as a part of a larger packet and unfortunately the rain got it while I left it outside. I put the wet envelope in my raise bed without knowing what will come of it. Tadaa!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests8/4/25Hey Jana L.,
Thank you so much for sharing your delightful surprise story! We're absolutely thrilled to hear about your happy accident with the Tom Thumb Blend Balsam Seeds - what an amazing "tadaa" moment that must have been! It's wonderful how sometimes the most unexpected situations can lead to the most beautiful results. Despite that soggy start, it sounds like those hardy little seeds proved just how resilient they can be when given a chance in your raised bed. Your experience really shows that gardening can be full of pleasant surprises, and we love that you took a chance on that wet envelope! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Jolea H.Verified BuyerRated 5 out of 5 stars7/26/25Love these! A profusion of color adored by the hummingbirds
I took a chance on these last spring, having never heard of them or liking the idea of growing annuals from seed. They germinated really well and transplanted outdoors around May. Zone 8B, Washington state. At first, they struggled outdoors and I wasn’t sure if part shade/part sun was right for them. About early July, the stems got thicker and greener with healthy leaves and they began to bloom. Really vigorous, tall beautiful flowers! I love them and so do the neighborhood hummingbirds. I am very pleased and hope they come back next year. Otherwise, I will start from seed again. These are keepers!
Which best describes you as a gardener? IntermediateBIBotanical Interests7/30/25Hey Jolea,
Thank you so much for sharing your experience! We're absolutely thrilled that you took a chance on the Tom Thumb Blend Balsam Seeds and discovered such a wonderful new favorite! It's so exciting to hear how they transformed from those early outdoor struggles into such vigorous, tall beautiful flowers by July - what a rewarding gardening journey! We love that you and the neighborhood hummingbirds are both enjoying that profusion of color. Since these are annuals, they won't return next year, but it sounds like you've already got the perfect plan to start them from seed again. Your success story will definitely help other gardeners know what to expect with these beauties! Keep on growing 🌻️
- Ellen D.Rated 5 out of 5 stars9/15/245 Stars
we have had wonderful experiences with botanical interest over the years, both with seats and with advice from the wonderful horticulturalists
Which best describes you as a gardener? Intermediate