Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis), also called spotted touch-me-not, is a plant that flourishes in conditions that few others will tolerate, including deep shade and soggy soil. Although it is an annual, once established in an area, it comes back year after year because the plants self-sow vigorously. Having foliage that glistens and sparkles when wet gives this Native American wildflower the name jewelweed. Keep reading to learn more about growing wild jewelweed impatiens.
I. Appearance and Characteristics
Impatiens capensis, the orange jewelweed, common jewelweed, spotted jewelweed, jewelweed, spotted touch-me-not, or orange balsam, is an annual plant in the family Balsaminaceae that is native to North America. It is common in bottomland soils, ditches, and along creeks, often growing side by side with its less common relative, yellow jewelweed (I. pallida).
Jewelweed is an herbaceous plant that grows 0.9–1.5 m (3–5 ft) tall and blooms from late spring to early fall. The flowers are orange (sometimes blood orange or rarely yellow) with a three-lobed corolla; one of the calyx lobes is colored similarly to the corolla and forms a hooked conical spur at the back of the flower. Plants may also produce non-showy cleistogamous flowers, which do not require cross-pollination.
It often branches extensively. The round stems are glabrous (smooth) and succulent, and semi-translucent, with swollen or darkened nodes on some plants. The leaves, which measure up to 13 cm (5 in) long and 6 cm (2.5 in) across, are alternate on the upper stems and opposite on the lower stems (when present). The leaves are ovate to elliptic, simple, and have shallow, rounded teeth on the margins. The seed pods have five valves which coil back rapidly to eject the seeds in a process called explosive dehiscence or ballistochory. This reaction is where the name ‘touch-me-not’ comes from; in mature seed pods, dehiscence can easily be triggered with a light touch.
Pollination
Nectar spurs are tubular elongations of petals and sepals of certain flowers that usually contain nectar. Flowers of Impatiens capensis have these nectar spurs. Nectar spurs are thought to have played a role in plant-pollinator coevolution. Curvature angles of nectar spurs of Impatiens capensis are variable. This angle varies from 0 degrees to 270 degrees.
The angle of the nectar spur is very important in the pollination of the flower and in determining the most efficient pollinator. Hummingbirds are major pollinators. They remove more pollen per visit from flowers with curved nectar spurs than with perpendicular nectar spurs. But hummingbirds are not the only pollinators of Impatiens capensis. Bees, especially bumblebees play an important role in pollination as well. Due to hummingbirds and bees, the pollination of Impatiens capensis is very high.
II. How to Grow and Care
Sunlight
Spotted touch-me-not likes a full sun environment. Ample sunlight can make plants grow better and promote flowering. Therefore, at least 8 hours of light must be guaranteed every day. However, in hot summer seasons, be careful with direct sunlight, and use shade to avoid sunburns. When growing plants indoors during winter, it is necessary to move spotted touch-me-not to a place with plenty of sunlight. This is conducive to plant growth and prolonged blooming time.
Temperature and Humidity
Jewelweed is not hardy to cold temperatures, and exposure to frost can damage or kill it. It can survive fairly hot temperatures as long as it has sufficient shade and soil moisture. Likewise, it can tolerate a range of humidity levels, though it doesn’t thrive in very dry conditions.
Watering
Spotted touch-me-not likes a sufficient amount of water, but are not resistant to waterlogging or drought. If too much water is applied, it easily accumulates and causes root rot and withered leaves. If watering is inadequate, the plants will suffer and their leaves and flowers will drop. When the weather is hot in summer, plants are usually watered about once every 2 days. Be careful not to water at noon when the temperature is highest; it is best to do it in the morning or evening.
If the plant appears yellow or withered, spray water first and then water. The weather is cooler in spring and fall with less water transpiration, so watering can be done once every 5 days. When the air is dry in summer and fall, spray more water to maintain relatively high humidity in the environment. However, be sure that there is no accumulated water in the soil. Otherwise, the plants will die from waterlogging.
Fertilizing
Before sowing spotted touch-me-not, a small amount of organic fertilizer or slow-release fertilizer can be mixed in the cultivation soil. After the seedlings grow out, they can be fertilized every two months in spring and summer, using a balanced water-soluble fertilizer. If foliar feeding is applied, it is best to spray water again 2 hours after fertilization to prevent the accumulation of fertilizer on the leaves, which can burn the leaves.
Planting Instructions
Jewelweed is an annual and it will typically self-seed on its own without any help. However, if you want to strategically grow the plant in other areas of your yard, you can very easily propagate jewelweed with purchased or harvested seeds from its pods. Take these steps:
- Put seeds through stratification to simulate winter temperatures. Two to three months before your area’s projected last spring frost date, put the seeds in the refrigerator.
- Then, once the threat of frost has passed, direct sow the seeds in your garden just slightly covered with soil, as they need some light to germinate.
- Make sure the soil remains moist, and you should see germination within a week or two, depending on soil temperature.
- Or, you can start seeds in a small container. But then it’s best to transplant seedlings to a container that can accommodate jewelweed’s mature size rather than having to repot throughout the season. A 5-gallon container should suffice.
Pruning
Generally, when spotted touch-me-not grows to 25 cm high, you can pinch, i.e. remove the buds, on the tops of branches. For thick, old branches, hard pruning is required to promote the re-germination of new branches, while the delicate branches can be lightly pruned as appropriate. Too-dense branches should be regularly thinned to ensure that the plant’s overall growth is even and that light can reach inside the plant to promote nutrient accumulation and blossoming.
Note that it is best to disinfect pruned spotted touch-me-not to avoid wound infection and pests. Disinfectant can be applied with a small amount of potassium permanganate solution. Be sure to maintain air circulation and keep the surrounding environment clean.
Potting and Repotting
To grow jewelweed in a container, use a plastic pot with drainage holes. Fill it with a good-quality potting mix. Using a plastic pot will help the soil to retain moisture. Note that container plants generally need watering more frequently than those grown in the ground, so check moisture levels frequently on your potted jewelweed.
Pests and Diseases
Common Pests and Plant Diseases
Though jewelweed has few issues with pests and diseases, watch for mealybugs, which can be controlled using various methods, including spraying with insecticidal soap or wiping them off with rubbing alcohol.
Be on the lookout for downy and powdery mildew, leaf spot, and botrytis blight. These fungal issues can be treated with fungicides. In addition, avoid overwatering, especially in humid conditions.
Common Problems
When jewelweed grows in conditions it likes, it generally thrives and will spread vigorously. However, issues with its environment can be the cause of some problems.
Drooping Leaves
Jewelweed plants will quickly droop if they don’t have enough moisture. Especially in hot, dry conditions, it’s important to check your jewelweed’s moisture levels regularly. You might need to water multiple times per week in some climates.
Leaf Drop
Jewelweed might lose its leaves due to prolonged drought. Frost also can cause leaf drop, which is why it’s key not to plant until there’s no more frost in the spring forecast.
III. Uses and Benefits
- Ornamental uses
Spotted touch-me-not produces showy flowers through the summer. It flourishes in medium to wet soils, making it an excellent addition alongside ponds or in bog gardens. The long, orange-hued flowers have red-colored markings which seem to glisten when there are drops of water upon them; creating an interesting aspect to landscapes.
- Medicinal uses
Along with other species of jewelweed, the juice of the leaves and stems is a traditional Native American remedy for skin rashes, including poison ivy. The effectiveness of its use to prevent the development of a rash after short-term exposure to poison ivy has been supported by peer-reviewed study, and is likely due to the plant containing saponins. These studies also found that some individuals have a sensitivity to jewelweed which can cause a more severe rash.
The stem juice has also been used to treat athlete’s foot; its fungicidal qualities have been scientifically verified.
- Culinary uses
The young shoots can be boiled (with two changes of water) as a potherb; eating too much is not recommended as the plant contains calcium oxalate crystals. The seeds are also edible.
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