Overview
Impatiens pallida is a tall annual native to eastern and central North America, growing in moist, shaded ground along streams, seeps, and wet woodland edges. It reaches 3-6 feet (0.9-1.8 m) tall on succulent, translucent, watery stems that branch widely and snap easily. The oval leaves are 2-4 inches (5-10 cm) long with toothed margins, soft and pale blue-green, and shed water in beads that give the plant the name jewelweed. From midsummer into autumn it carries pale yellow, spurred flowers about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long, hanging on thin stalks, sometimes lightly spotted with reddish brown inside. The flowers are pollinated mainly by bumblebees and hummingbirds reaching for the nectar in the curved spur. The ripe seed capsules burst at a touch, flinging seeds several feet, behind the other common name touch-me-not. The crushed stems release a watery sap used in folk remedies for skin irritation. It grows in part to full shade on consistently moist to wet, fertile soil and wilts fast in sun or dry ground. As an annual it dies with frost but reseeds heavily, returning in large stands where conditions stay damp.
Native Range
Native to eastern and central North America, from Quebec and Ontario south to Georgia and west to the Great Plains. It grows in wet woods, stream and spring margins, ditches, and shaded seeps, often in large colonies.Suggested Uses
Used in shade, woodland, and rain gardens, along pond and stream edges, and in naturalized wet areas. It suits damp, shaded spots where its summer flowers attract bumblebees and hummingbirds.How to Identify
Appearance
Size & Dimensions
Height3' - 6'
Width/Spread1'6" - 3'
Bloom Information
Pale yellow spurred flowers open from July into September, hanging singly on slender stalks. Each is about 1 inch (2.5 cm) long with a short hooked spur and sometimes reddish spots inside. Explosive seed pods follow and ripen through late summer and autumn.
Detailed Descriptions
Foliage Description
Pale blue-greenGrowing Conditions
Sun Requirements
Requires 2-5 hours of direct sunlight daily
• Full Sun: 6+ hours of direct sunlight
• Partial Shade: 3-6 hours of direct sunlight
• Full Shade: Less than 3 hours of direct sunlight
Water & Climate
Water Needs
Care & Maintenance
Care Guide
Grows in part to full shade on rich, consistently moist to wet soil and will not tolerate drought or strong sun. It is grown as an annual from seed, which needs a cold, moist period before it will germinate in spring. Once established in a damp, shaded spot, it reseeds and returns on its own each year. Steady moisture matters most, since the soft stems wilt within hours when dry. It needs no fertilizer on fertile woodland soil. Thinning dense seedlings gives stronger, taller plants.Pruning
No pruning is needed for this annual. Plants can be thinned while young to space them out, and pulled after frost once seed has dropped. Leaving some pods to ripen ensures the stand returns the following year.✓ Toxicity
Non-toxicPlanting Guide
Planting Methods & Timing
Planting Method
direct sow
Days to Maturity
70–90 days
Plant Spacing
12 inches