Touch me not also known as jewelweed is a fun and unique wildflower known for its exploding seed pods. If you want to add this intriguing plant to your garden, growing touch me not from seeds is easy and rewarding.
In this complete guide you’ll learn all about touch me not seeds – where to find them, how to plant and care for them and how to collect and store the ripe seeds for future planting. Let’s get started!
What is Touch Me Not?
Touch me not refers to any of around 120 annual and perennial herbaceous plants in the genus Impatiens The common name refers to the explosive seed pods that burst and scatter seeds when touched
There are many touch me not species, but the two most popular for gardens are:
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Spotted touch me not (Impatiens capensis) – Native to North America with orange spotted flowers
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Yellow touch me not (Impatiens pallida) – Native to Europe and Asia with pale yellow blooms
Both thrive in moist areas and have succulent stems and leaves. They produce pretty bell-shaped flowers loved by hummingbirds and bees.
Benefits of Growing Touch Me Not
Here are some of the top benefits of these fun plants:
- Unique exploding seed pods
- Attracts pollinators
- Thrives in shade and self-seeds readily
- Requires little care once established
- Native wildflower appeal
- Whimsical appearance
- Poison ivy relief (folklore use)
The joy of touch me nots is their whimsy and novelty value. Let’s look at how to successfully grow them yourself.
Where to Buy Touch Me Not Seeds
Touch me not seeds are the easiest way to get started growing these plants. Here are some top sources:
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Online specialty seed shops – Large selections often including spotted, yellow, and other species. Try Everwilde, Outsidepride, Eden Brothers, etc.
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Native plant nurseries – May offer seeds of native varieties like spotted touch me not.
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Etsy – Some sellers offer touch me not seeds in smaller quantities.
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Local flower shows – Seed exchanges sometimes have touch me not seeds.
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Collect your own – Gather ripe pods in fall from established plants.
Shop early in spring for the best availability. Prices range from $3 to $10 for packets up to 1/4 ounce.
When to Plant Touch Me Not Seeds Outdoors
Touch me not thrives in cool weather and appreciates winter chill. Follow these planting guidelines:
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Climate – Grow as an annual in warm climates. Perennial in zones 5-9.
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Spring – Sow seeds outdoors in late spring after the last frost.
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Fall – Plant in fall in zones 7-9 for winter blooms. Protect from frost.
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Soil temperature – 65°F or above ideal for good germination.
Plant seeds in spring once temperatures warm up for flowers the first year. Mulch heavily if sowing in fall.
How to Plant Touch Me Not Seeds
Follow these simple steps to successfully plant touch me not seeds:
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Location – Choose a site with rich moist soil and partial to full shade. Next to a pond, stream, or marshy area is ideal.
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Prepare soil – Amend with compost if needed to improve moisture retention.
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Sow seeds – Scatter seeds across prepared soil. Press lightly into the top 1/4 inch.
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Water – Water gently to moisten soil without washing away seeds.
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Mulch – Cover with a light mulch layer to retain moisture.
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Care – Keep soil moist until sprouting. Thin seedlings 8-12 inches apart.
Caring for Touch Me Not Plants
Once your touch me not seeds have sprouted, just a bit of care is needed:
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Water – Keep soil consistently moist. Avoid letting it dry out.
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Light – Spotted touch me not tolerates deep shade. Yellow needs a bit more sun.
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Fertilizer – Apply a balanced organic fertilizer once a month during growth.
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Pruning – Cut back finished flowering stems to encourage new blooms.
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Winter care – Mulch first year plants for insulation. Cut back perennials in fall.
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Dividing – Divide root-bound clumps every 2-3 years after blooming finishes.
When and How to Harvest Touch Me Not Seeds
Here’s how to collect ripe touch me not seeds each year:
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Ripe pods – Allow seed pods to mature and dry completely on stems until brittle.
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Timing – Harvest pods from late summer into fall.
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Collecting – Place paper bags over dried pods. Shake gently to collect released seeds.
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Cleaning – Separate seeds from pod debris by sifting. Pick out any unopened pods.
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Storage – Place clean seeds in envelopes or jars. Store in cool, dry place.
Saving your own seeds ensures a free supply for future planting!
Storing Touch Me Not Seeds for Replanting
With proper storage, touch me not seeds typically remain viable to sprout for 2-3 years:
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Containers – Glass jars, envelopes, or paper packets work. Avoid plastic.
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Cool & dry – Optimal storage conditions are 45-55°F and low humidity.
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Location – Refrigerator, basement, or garage are good options.
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Moisture – Include desiccant packs to absorb moisture and prevent mold.
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Checks – Inspect seeds periodically. Discard any that are moldy. Replenish desiccants.
Stored correctly, your collected seeds will give you a head start on next year’s touch me not crop!
Common Problems When Growing Touch Me Not
While relatively hassle-free, here are some potential issues to watch for:
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Limited germination – Soaking seeds 24 hours before planting can boost sprouting. Scarification also helps.
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Leggy growth – Insufficient light causes skinny, weak plants. Ensure partial shade site.
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Leaf spots – Fungal issues are common in wet conditions. Improve airflow and use fungicide if severe.
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Aphids – These small sucking insects can plague plants. Wipe off or use insecticidal soap.
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Slugs & snails – These garden pests munch leaves overnight. Remove them by hand or trap around plants.
With proper care, your touch me nots will thrive, providing unique, whimsical beauty in shady beds and borders.
Uses for Touch Me Not Plants
Aside from their ornamental appeal, touch me nots have some other great uses:
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Allow seed pods to dry for unique crafting and floral materials.
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Extract juice from fresh leaves and stems to soothe skin irritations like poison ivy rashes.
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Plant en masse as an attractive ground cover in moist, shady areas.
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Attract hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies to your garden.
Companion Plants for Touch Me Not
Here are some great options for planting alongside touch me nots:
- Ferns – Astilbe, maidenhair, royal ferns
- Shade perennials – Coral bells, foamflower, wild ginger
- Grasses – Japanese forest grass, sedge, switchgrass
- Other natives – Columbine, foxglove, jack-in-the-pulpit
Choose moisture-loving plants that share the same preferences for rich, wet soil and partial to full shade.
The Takeaway
With their unusual exploding seed pods, touch me nots are fun novelty plants that are easy to grow from seed. Plant in moist, shaded spots for pops of color from their bright blossoms. Save ripe seeds each fall to sow again next spring. With proper care, touch me nots will happily self-sow, providing whimsical beauty for years to come.
Dormant Bare Root Plants
We dig plants when they are dormant from our outdoor beds and ship them April-May and October. Some species go dormant in the summer and we can ship them July/August. We are among the few still employing this production method, which is labor intensive but plant-friendly. They arrive to you dormant, with little to no top-growth (bare-root), packed in peat moss. They should be planted as soon as possible. Unlike greenhouse-grown plants, bare-root plants can be planted during cold weather or anytime the soil is not frozen. A root photo is included with each species to illustrate the optimal depth and orientation. Planting instructions/care are also included with each order.
Our Midwest greenhouses ship 3-packs and trays of 32, 38, or 50 plants based on the species’ readiness (being well-rooted for shipping) and the date of the order. Spring shipping usually happens in early May to June, and fall shipping usually happens in mid-August to September. 3-pack pots and trays with 38 plugs are usually 3–4 months old when they ship because they are grown from seeds in the winter. Trays of 32/50 plugs are usually overwintered so are 1 year old. There are about 2″ wide by 5″ deep plant tray cells in trays 38 and 50, and 2″ 5″ wide x 3. 5″ deep in the 3-packs and trays of 32; ideal for deep-rooted natives. Full-color tags and planting & care instructions are included with each order.
Please note that we are a mail-order nursery and do not have a storefront. However, you may pick up your order if you make arrangements ahead of time. Pick up orders are subject to **MN Sales Tax.
Shipping & Handling Charges
SEED $100.00 and under: $5.00 Retail SEED orders over $100.00 ship free!
Additional 5% of the total seed cost must be added for custom seed mixes or discounted seed sales over $100; a package signature may be needed for orders over $1,000.
BARE ROOT and POTTED PLANTS $50. 00 and under: $9. 00 over $50. 00: 18% of the total plant cost. (For orders over $1,000 a package signature may be required. ).
TOOLS and BOOKS have the shipping fee included in the cost of the product (within the contiguous US).
**We are required to collect state sales tax in certain states. Your states eligibility and % will be calculated at checkout. MN State Sales Tax of 7. 375% is applied for orders picked up at our MN location. Shipping & handling charges are also subject to the sales tax.
SEED, TOOLS and BOOKS are sent year-round. Most orders ship within 1-3 business days.
BARE ROOT PLANTS are shipped during optimal transplanting time: Spring (April-May) and Fall (Oct). Some ephemeral species are also available for summer shipping. Natural events decide each year when our season starts and ends since our plants are grown in the field. All orders are filled as soon as possible, first-come, first-served, unless there are weather problems we can’t control.
TRAYS OF 32/38/50 plugs and 3-packs of potted plants usually start shipping in early May and go through June. The shipping time depends a lot on how well-rooted all the species in your order are. If the winter and spring greenhouse conditions are good and all the species are well-rooted at the same time, we ship based on the date of the order (first come, first served). We are a greenhouse in the Midwest, and it’s hard to get all the species in the Mix. Earlier shipment requests will be considered on a case-by-case basis.
*Due to rules, we can’t ship PLANTS (bare root or potted) to California or anywhere else outside the 48 contiguous US states.
We ship using USPS, UPS and Spee Dee. UPS and Spee Dee are often used to speed up plant orders. They won’t deliver to PO Boxes, so if you’re ordering plants, please also include your street address. We send tracking numbers to your email address so please include it when you order.
Please see the shipping section at the bottom of this page for more information, including shipping rates for Canada (only seeds).
Exploding Seed Pods of the Touch-me-not
FAQ
When to plant touch-me-not seeds?
Can you grow Mimosa pudica from seed?
Is touch-me-not a perennial or annual?
What if my ‘touch-me-not’ plants fail to flower?
If your ‘touch-me-not’ (Mimosa Pudica) plants fail to flower, it’s important to note that as their name suggests, they are sensitive and shy plants that may not always flower when grown as houseplants. Sensitive plants are easy to grow from seed as indoor houseplants.
How do you care for a ‘touch-me-not’ plant?
To care for a ‘touch-me-not’ (Mimosa Pudica or Touch-Me-Not) plant, it’s important to use the appropriate potting mixture. Avoid soggy or waterlogged soil as it can lead to root rot and diseases. Prevent drainage issues by placing a layer of pebbles at the bottom of the container.
What is a touch me not plant?
Enter the Touch Me Not plant, scientifically known as Mimosa Pudica, a captivating botanical wonder that responds to the gentlest human touch. It’s like having a conversation with a plant, and it’s absolutely enchanting! This intriguing species boasts delicate, fern-like foliage.
How do you plant a touch-me-not plant?
The planting of touch-me-not purchased in nursery pots is performed in spring. Prefer shade or part shade Mix your earth with flower plant soil mix and water generously to make the flower-bearing abundant. For touch-me-nots purchased as seeds, you can sow directly in the plot from April onwards. They don’t need any pruning.