Jewelweed (Impatiens capensis)

How much light does a Jewelweed need?

Jewelweed prefers part shade outdoors, and full shade is also listed for it. One source describes deep shade as less than 2 hours of direct sunlight, down to none. Another source says the plant grows best in moist, organic matter rich soil in partial to full shade.

A spot with less than 2 hours of direct sun fits that deep shade description. Part shade remains the preferred condition of the two.

• Light: Part shade and full shade (part shade preferred)^1,2

How often to water a Jewelweed

Water use for jewelweed is rated medium. One source says it grows best in moist, organic matter rich soil in partial to full shade. The drainage record lists moist and occasionally wet soil.

Another description calls for moist to wet, humus soils. Medium is both the lowest and the highest water use listed.

• Water: Medium^3,2

Best soil for a Jewelweed

Jewelweed grows in moist soil that is occasionally wet. One source says it prefers moist to wet, humus soils. Another says it grows best in moist, organic matter rich soil in partial to full shade.

Its water use is rated medium. The drainage record names two conditions, moist and occasionally wet. Part shade is the preferred light, and full shade is also listed.

• Soil drainage: Moist and occasionally wet^1,4

Hardiness and temperature

Jewelweed is listed for USDA hardiness zones 2a to 11b. One source describes it as winter hardy from zones 2 to 11. Zone 2a sits at the cold end of the listed range and zone 11b at the warm end.

The plant type on record is annual.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–11b¹

How to plant a Jewelweed

Plant jewelweed in USDA zones 2a to 11b, the hardiness range listed for it. Part shade is the preferred light, and full shade is also listed. Pick ground that is moist and occasionally wet.

Allow for a mature spread of 1–3 ft (0.3–0.91 m) and a height of 2–5 ft (0.61–1.52 m). Sowing seed outdoors in fall in the desired location is described as the easiest way to establish plants. The flowers come in orange, yellow and brown.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–11b¹

Winter care

Winter hardiness for jewelweed is listed as USDA zones 2a to 11b. One source describes it as winter hardy from zones 2 to 11. Zone 2a is the coldest zone in the listed range.

The plant type on record is annual. Seed is the propagation method listed, and sowing outdoors in fall in the desired location is described as the easiest way to establish plants.

• Hardiness: Zones 2a–11b¹

How to propagate a Jewelweed

Seed is the propagation method listed for jewelweed. One source gives the recommended propagation strategy as seed. Another says it is easiest to establish plants from seed by sowing outdoors in fall in the desired location.

That means sowing in the place where you want the plants to grow. No cutting or division method is listed.

• Propagation: Seed^1,2

Common problems

Jewelweed has no significant insect or disease issues on record. The list of common pests is empty. The list of common diseases is empty as well.

The same listing describes a plant that prefers part shade and moist to wet soil. It reaches 2–5 ft (0.61–1.52 m) tall with a spread of 1–3 ft (0.3–0.91 m).

• Common pests: ¹
• Common diseases: ¹

Questions and answers

How much light does jewelweed need?

Jewelweed prefers part shade, and full shade is also listed. One source describes deep shade as less than 2 hours of direct sunlight, down to none. Another says it grows best in moist, organic matter rich soil in partial to full shade.

When does jewelweed bloom, and what color are the flowers?

The bloom season is listed as July through October. The bloom color is recorded as orange, yellow and brown. Mature plants reach 2–5 ft (0.61–1.52 m) tall.

Is jewelweed native to the United States?

Its native status is listed as native for the lower 48 United States. Its recorded native range includes Ontario, Quebec and Texas. It is recorded as an annual.