Does it need full sun?

No, it prefers partial to full shade.

It is an annual that readily self seeds.

Plant guide

Orange jewelweed.

Impatiens capensis

Pronounced im-PAY-shenz ka-PEN-sis

Also known as Jewel-Weed, Jewelweed, Lady's-earrings, Orange Balsam, Orange Touch-me-not, Snapweed, Spotted Jewelweed, Spotted Touch-me-not

common jewelweed — Photo by Gavin Slater (CC BY) via iNaturalist

This charming native plant is famous for its bright orange, spotted flowers that dangle like little jewels. It loves damp, shaded spots and is a favorite for hummingbirds. You will often find it growing near streams or in moist woodland areas.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 1 to 3 days
Mature size: 2 to 5 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 2 to 11
Bloom time: Mid summer to early autumn

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist because this plant wilts quickly if it dries out. It thrives in dappled shade and prefers high humidity. Watch for drooping leaves as a sign that it needs a drink immediately.

Watering: Keep the soil damp at all times to prevent wilting.
Feeding: Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer once a month during the growing season.
Pruning: Pinch back the tips to encourage a bushier shape.
Repotting: Since it is an annual, you typically do not need to repot it.
Soil: Rich, moist, organic soil
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.5
Temperature: 5 to 30°C
Humidity: 60 to 90%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Annual, completes life cycle in one season.
Deer and rabbits: Moderate

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of drainage holes.
Soil drying out too quickly.

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered mildly toxic if ingested due to calcium oxalate crystals.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The explosive seed pods can startle small children, but they are not inherently dangerous.
Contact allergens: Handling the stems may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant respiratory allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: The plant contains calcium oxalates which can cause irritation if ingested in large quantities.

How to identify it

Orange trumpet shaped flowers
Spotted throat on petals
Succulent, translucent stems
Oval shaped serrated leaves
Seed pods explode when touched

Height: 0.3 to 1.5m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.6m
Leaves: green, deciduous
Flowers: orange, yellow, 2 to 4cm
Fruit: green, Late summer to autumn

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Downy MildewCommon
Slugs and SnailsCommon
Gray MoldUncommon
Leaf SpotUncommon
Root RotUncommon

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

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Growing it

Propagation: seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: The plant dies back completely after the first frost, so no special winter care is needed.
In containers: It grows well in containers if kept consistently moist, but it is best suited for the ground.

Seed

Collect seeds from pods before they burst.
Sow seeds directly into moist soil in autumn.
Keep the area consistently damp until germination in spring.

Group this plant with other moisture loving species to create a lush, boggy garden corner.

Grows well with

Cardinal Flower · They share similar moisture and light requirements.
Sensitive Fern · It provides a nice textural contrast in wet soil.

Similar species

Yellow Jewelweed · It is a close relative with similar growth habits and yellow flowers.

Science

Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
Order: Ericales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: North America
Conservation: This plant is common and not of conservation concern.

It grows in moist, shaded environments like stream banks and wetlands where it can easily disperse seeds into water.

Value to wildlife: nectar source, attracts pollinators
Pollinators: bees, hummingbirds
Uses: ornamental, naturalizing in wet areas

Through the year

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Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 8/9
Nutrients: 5/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Does it need full sun?: No, it prefers partial to full shade.
Is it a perennial?: It is an annual that readily self seeds.

Where the name comes from

The name capensis refers to the Cape of Good Hope, though it is native to North America, likely due to a botanical misidentification.

Good to know

It is often called touch me not because of its sensitive seed pods.
It thrives in damp, shady spots where other plants struggle.
The flowers are uniquely shaped to accommodate specific pollinators.

Also in

Plants for shade

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This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.