Impatiens balsamina has an almost Victorian familiarity to it, the kind of plant found in grandmother's garden along the path to the door. Its succulent, sparsely branched stems rise to about 30 inches and carry flowers in white, pink, red, and bicolored combinations nestled close against the foliage, a habit that gives them a slightly hidden, intimate quality. Butterflies find them readily enough. It prefers consistent moisture and will struggle in dry spells, making it best suited to borders that receive regular irrigation or naturally cool, moist soil.

The seed capsules are one of its more compelling features. Ripe pods burst open at the slightest touch, flinging seed with an almost comic enthusiasm, and collecting them requires patience and a light hand. This explosive self-seeding means it will often return in nearby spots year after year without encouragement, though it can spread further than intended if conditions suit it. As a container plant along a shaded walk or patio, it performs reliably from late spring through summer, bringing a relaxed informality that more architectural annuals seldom offer.