Jewelweed grows well in environments that many other plants can’t tolerate, including soggy soil and deep shade.
It prefers dappled sunlight, rich soil, and moist, humid conditions that are far from dry.
It can tolerate direct morning sun, but strong afternoon sun can be too harsh for the plants.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Soil
Jewelweed prefersorganically rich soilthat retains moisture.
A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH is best.
Water
Jewelweed thrives in evenly moist soil and will wither if the soil becomes too dry.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
It can even survive occasionally waterlogged soil.
Water whenever the top inch of soil dries out.
And consider adding a layer of mulch to help retain soil moisture.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
It can survive fairly hot temperatures as long as it has sufficient shade and soil moisture.
Fertilizer
Jewelweed generally doesn’t need supplemental fertilizer.
Take these steps:
Or, you could start seeds in a small container.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
A 5-gallon container should suffice.
Fill it with a good-quality potting mix.
Using a plastic pot will help the soil to retain moisture.
Be on the lookout for downy andpowdery mildew,leaf spot, andbotrytis blight.
These fungal issues can be treated with fungicides.
In addition, avoid overwatering, especially in humid conditions.
How to Get Jewelweed to Bloom
How Long Does Jewelweed Bloom?
Jewelweed’s flowers appear in the midsummer and continue into fall.
What Do Jewelweed Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Jewelweed’s flowers are unscented.
They have four to five petals and stretch around 1 to 3 inches across.
They’re typically orange or yellow-orange with reddish spotting.
But jewelweed generally blooms readily on its own without any special care from you.
However, issues with its environment can be the cause of some problems.
Drooping Leaves
Jewelweed plants will quickly droop if they don’t have enough moisture.
Especially in hot, dry conditions, it’s important to check your jewelweed’s moisture levels regularly.
You might need to water multiple times per week in some climates.
Leaf Drop
Jewelweed might lose its leaves due to prolonged drought.
Collect mature jewelweed seeds from the plants' small pods in the early fall.
Plant them right away in your preferred location about 1/4 inch deep.
This will expose them to the cold winter temperatures that they need to germinate in the spring.
Jewelweed grows best when it fills in shady and/or boggy spots where many other plants won’t grow.
It can do well along the edges of ponds and other water features, as well as low-lying areas.
Plus, it can be used to outcompete non-native species.
Jewelweed’s dense growth can discourage weeds, as well.
If you’re looking forflowers that will grow in shade, there are several other choices besides jewelweed.
Considercoral bells, otherimpatiens species,bleeding heart,lungwort,andrhododendrons.
Yes,hummingbirdslike to flock to jewelweed’s orange flowers, which are filled with nectar.
