PlantFiles: Himalayan Balsam, Indian Balsam, Policeman's Helmet, Ornamental Jewelweed
Impatiens glandulifera

This is a noxious weed in the garden and a threat to natural areas over a wide range of climates. I'm still pulling plants from a dry shade area many years after introducing it---clearly the seed remains viable in the soil for at least several years.

This plant has completely taken over our garden in Northern California. The flowers are pretty, but we are having a terrible time getting rid of it.

My husband and I moved into an older home in downtown Fairbanks in early May. Neighbors told us we'd be suprised by the variety of plants and flowers that grace the yard. We had be walking all over what we supposed was unplanted soil...then what appeard to ME to be weeds sprung up. Advised not to pull anything until we were sure, we let this plant grow and Grow and GROW. It is now well over 6 feet tall, and the stalks as big around as my ankles! It has stayed pretty well contained to that one flower bed, but has spread a bit to others. We are facinated by the quickness of growth, and the height reached. We'll keep it for now.

According to the Global Invasive Species Database, this plant is very invasive in North America and Europe and difficult to eradicate.

Please show some consideration for your neighbours and the environment and don't grow this plant. Yes, it is very pretty, but wherever you live there are many other pretty plants to choose from that are not invasive.

A neighbor in Essex County, (northern) New York planted a sample of Himalayan Balsam last year as part of a study of Impatiens. By May this year her vegetable and flower beds were dotted with small and growing plants of the species, and she has a major job of ridding herself of them. Plus there is a danger that the plant will spread to nearby wild lands. One plant can produce up to 800 or more seeds and they may remain viable for more than a year. Impatiens glandulifera is thus highly invasive. In England, where it was introduced decades ago, it has spread widely and thickly and is regarded as one of the top invasives. Don't help it to achieve this position on US lists of problem species

I was given seeds about 20 years ago. When they grew, I transplanted plants to Beaver River Station, North end of Herkimer County, N. Y., I have had them there since then, propagating freely. I now have one in Lowville, Lewis county, NY, from a wandering seed brought here in a hanging pot. I have never been able to identify them until now. I will be giving plants to friends here, from the large field at Beaver River. They also attract wild deer, they eat the flowers. I get constant comments of delight, through the years many have taken seeds for themselves. The only adverse thing, I had pulled up dozens of seed popping plants and developed hives. They didn't last but I was more careful later years.

This Plant is a listed noxious weed and is illegal to sell or to grow in Washington State. In King County, western WA there are over 100 known sites were it has invaded streams and wetlands and out competes native vegetation. It also lures pollinators away from smaller less showy native flowers, resulting in a smaller seed set of native plants.

It was a sad occasion, a wake for a child of a great friend, but I was inspired by the garden surrounding the funeral home. One plant really caught my eye. I had never seen this plant before. I was not in any mood to inquire that evening, but the image of the plant remained with me, and finally I called the funeral home. I was almost embarrassed to ask, but as it turns out, I am not the first who has called.

They were very nice to me and supplied the name and said I could get seeds this fall or come back in the spring for newly growing plants. Anyway, weed or not, this 'policeman's helmet' will be cultivated in my yard next spring. Like the sunflower and other tall flowers it will give me a screen from the road surface and a pleasant site for those who walk by. Seed source is in Greenville, NY.

A large invasive annual from the Himalayas.

Has, lance shaped, toothed mid green leaves and thick red stems. Bears light pink, white or purple, hooded, scented flowers. Produces many capsules which spring open when ripe and spreads the seeds far and wide.

Flowers June-October Has managed to colonise a lot of watersides and is not recommended to grow where it isn't present in the local area.

Likes a moist, well drained soil in partial shade but will tolerate some sun.