Impatiens In A Bag? Top Answer Update

Common name Neuguinea impatiens Botanical name Impatiens hawkeri Family Balsaminaceae Plant type Annual size 12–18 inches tall, 6–9 inches wide Sun exposure Rich, partial Soil type Moist but well-drained Soil pH Acidic (6.0 to 6.5) Flowering season Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter Hardiness zones Zones 10-12 (USDA) Native range New Guinea

New Guinea impatiens grooming

Most gardeners grow New Guinea impatiens as annuals, buying them to start with and then bringing them into the garden. Expect your New Guinea impatiens to already be in bloom or bloom early in the season. These flowers will continue to show their colors if given enough sun and water and require very little maintenance. Keeping your garden weed-free will ensure propagation and eliminate competition for water.

Outside in containers, New Guinea impatiens provide eye-level views from windows lightening the color all season. They are ideal for edging a walkway or as a border in front of a garden. When incorporated this way, plant Impatiens in a large block for dramatic effect. Impatiens can also be grown as perennials in certain zones and in pots as houseplants, but don’t expect them to bloom year-round indoors.

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

The Spruce / Letícia Almeida

light

The amount of sun exposure your New Guinea impatiens will need depends on the temperature and humidity of your climate. New Guinea impatiens do best with morning sun and afternoon shade in an east-facing garden. When the sun is bright and temperatures are extreme, impatiens require more water and may not flower as profusely.

floor

New Guinea impatiens likes a slightly acidic pH in the 6.0 to 6.5 range, but is not particularly fussy. These flowers need well-drained soil that will hold moisture long enough for their roots to soak it up. New Guinea impatiens are heavy feeders, so add a good amount of organic matter to the soil during planting season. Once in the ground, give your flowers a good drink of water to help them establish themselves.

water

New Guinea impatiens thrive with regular watering. Don’t let them stay dry for a long period of time or they will stop flowering and may die. New Guinea impatiens are not drought tolerant, but prolonged periods of wet soil can cause their crowns to rot. Avoid watering them from above and use a drip hose instead if possible.

temperature and humidity

Do not plant New Guinea Impatiens outside until all danger of frost has passed and overnight temperatures are above 45 F. These flowers prefer daytime temperatures of 70 to 85 F and nighttime temperatures of 55 to 65 F. They thrive in high humidity zones 10, 11, and 12.

fertilizer

Since New Guinea impatiens flower all season long, they will benefit from additional fertilizer. Give your flowers a dose of your favorite water-soluble food, specifically formulated for blooming flowers, every three to four weeks. You can also mix in some compost when planting or early and late in the season when grown as perennials.

Species of New Guinea Impatiens

It is difficult to recommend annual varieties as they are constantly being crossed. You never know if this year’s launch will be available again next year or if there will be an even better, improved version. However, the following Impatiens strains from New Guinea are coveted by breeders:

Impatiens ‘Paradise Rose Flair’ is a heavy-duty variety that produces dazzling red-pink flowers all season long. This plant grows 16 inches tall and wide.

is a high-yielding strain that produces dazzling red-pink flowers all season long. This plant grows 16 inches tall and wide. Sun-tolerant impatiens ‘Sun Harmony Baby Pink’ produces 2-inch-wide soft pink flowers that bloom all summer. The mature size of the plant is 20 inches tall and wide.

yields 2 inch wide soft pink flowers that bloom all summer. The mature size of the plant is 20 inches tall and wide. For coral-colored blooms, choose Impatiens ‘Sunstanding Salmon’. This strain can grow in shady to full sun areas and looks great in containers, reaching a maximum of 36 inches tall and wide.

This strain can grow in shady to full sun areas and looks great in containers, reaching a maximum of 36 inches tall and wide. Impatiens ‘Sunstanding Glowing Scarlet’ produces bright orange flowers with heart-shaped petals throughout summer and will grow to 36 inches tall and wide when fully mature.

clipping

New Guinea impatiens require some midsummer pruning to maximize flowering. To do this, first top off the flowers by pinching the stem back to its first set of leaves. You can do this regularly throughout the season. Next, look for areas where the stems have become leggy and are producing more leaves than flowers. Prune your impatiens no more than 6 inches (and starting at the midstalks) if they become scrawny.

If your buds look full and hole-free, you don’t need to prune your impatiens at all.

Propagation of New Guinea Impatiens

New Guinea impatiens starts are readily available at most nurseries and give you so much variety. Still, they’re easy to grow from cuttings if you’re looking to save money or if you love the particular strain you’ve planted.

How to propagate New Guinea Impatiens by cuttings:

Gather a pair of secateurs, alcohol swabs, a jar, a pot, and potting soil. Disinfect your scissors by wiping the blades with an alcohol swab. Choose a hearty stalk and cut 4 to 6 inches below the bloom. Remove the leaves from the bottom of the cutting, leaving only the top two leaves. Place the underside of the cutting in a glass of water and place it in a sunny window until it begins to root. Fill a pot with potting soil, water and drain. Poke a hole in the soil and insert your cutting into the hole, covering all of the roots and about 1 inch of the stem. Place the pot in a sunny spot indoors, then harden it off by placing it outside for a few days before transplanting into your garden.

How to grow New Guinea Impatiens from seed

Because New Guinea Impatiens are hybrids, most varieties cannot be grown from seed as they are either sterile or will not grow from seed. However, there are a few cultivars that have stabilized to the point where seeds are available. These include the Divine series, which comes in shades of white, pink, lavender, orange and red, and the Tango series, which features dramatically fluorescent orange flowers.

To grow impatiens from seed, make sure you’re taking the long view, as seeds need to be started about three months before your average last frost date indoors. Fill a tray or 6-pack of cells with a seed starter mix and water the soil. Plant two seeds in each cell or sprinkle seeds over the tray and cover with soil. Dampen the top, then cover your containers with plastic and place in a bright spot. Remove the plastic when two pairs of leaves have formed and allow the seedlings to grow for three months before transplanting into the ground.

Potting and repotting of New Guinea Impatiens

New Guinea impatiens make great potted flowers that can liven up your home’s outdoor decor. To pot them, first choose a container with good drainage. Next, create a false bottom in the pot by adding a thin layer of pebbles before filling the pot with soil. Remove your Impatiens beginnings from the packaging and carefully separate the roots at the bottom when they appear root bound. Transfer the beginnings to the container, being careful to place them the way you want and to completely cover the roots. Water and drain the pot before placing in a sunny spot outside.

Since New Guinea Impatiens grow relatively small and are mostly kept as annuals, repotting is almost never necessary.

wintering

Gardeners looking to extend the life of their plants, as well as those looking to move them outside in the spring, can bring impatiens indoors during the winter. First examine the plant to make sure it is free of pests and diseases. Next, cut the plant back by a third, water it lightly, and place it in a sunny spot in your home. (You may need to supplement with a grow light if you don’t have enough natural light indoors.) In spring, cut your plant back in half, transplant into fresh soil, water and harden off by potting bring outside during the day for a few days after the last frost. Once temperatures are warm, move the pot to a sunny spot outside.

Common pests and plant diseases

Like common impatiens, New Guinea impatiens can be attacked by aphids and spider mites, which damage the plant by sucking its juices. Treat an infestation by first reducing the population with a garden hose spray. Then spray the plant with insecticidal soap.

Necrotic spot and tomato spot wilt can move into a thrips-infested hospital bed. There is no cure for these viruses, so prevention is crucial. Eliminating thrips thwarts the likelihood of disease moving in.

Downy mildew, botrytis rot, and verticillium wilt are fungal diseases that can affect impatiens with moist soil. You can prevent this by maintaining a consistent watering schedule and increasing the spacing between plants when planting. Once these diseases set in, downy mildew can only be controlled by removing the diseased plant, while botrytis rot and verticillium wilt may respond to a fungicide.

How to get New Guinea Impatiens to flower

New Guinea impatiens do best in an area that receives morning sun and afternoon shade. If your garden area receives more than eight hours of sunlight per day, you may need to provide a temporary shade structure to maximize blooms.

Maintaining the right humidity conditions also affects flowering. Make sure your impatiens aren’t waterlogged or they’ll lose their flowers and develop a red tint on their leaves. If this happens, reduce watering, but don’t let the soil dry out completely.

Common problems with New Guinea Impatiens

Like other flowers, New Guinea impatiens can actually get sunburned and develop a condition called marginal necrosis. Brown spots of necrosis on leaves are not very serious, but they form an unsightly picture. The best way to avoid this is to ensure your planting area receives adequate shade.

Impatiens walleriana Impatiens are famous for their ability to liven up a shady corner of the garden. Even deep shadows don’t phase them much. And we’re not talking about just adding a little greenery in a shady spot. Oh no, we’re talking glowing mounds of pink, white and purple. Apparently there are many people who want to add some lighthearted color to their shady spots, as impatiens used to be the most popular bedding plant in the US. We link to vendors to help you find relevant products. If you buy through one of our links, we may receive a commission.

But in the early 2010s, impatiens began to fall out of favor because they were hit so hard by downy mildew.

Instead of being the old reliable shade brightener we know and love, bedding plants, which were a reserve in nurseries, began to become a liability in most of North America.

Thanks to new strains and preventative techniques breeders are employing, handsome impatiens are now ready for their comeback.

Ready to find out how to bring Impatiens into your space? Let’s dive in!

cultivation and history

The ornamental impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) we know and love are native to East Africa, although other species in the genus are native to Asia or North America.

Impatiens are sometimes called Jewelweed, Busy Lizzie, Patience, or Touch-me-not.

Impatiens is a reference to the impatient nature of the plant. It is a Latin word that describes the method by which the plant reseeds itself. When the seeds are ready, the slightest touch will cause them to explode in a firework-like explosion.

There are many plants in the genus, including cashmere balsam (I. balfourii), garden balsam (I. balsamina), spotted balsam (I. capensis), New Guinea impatiens (I. hawkeri), poor man’s rhododendron (I . sodenii). , and touch me not (I. pallida).

Flowers can be orange, pink, purple, red, violet, yellow, and white, and many shades in between.

Impatiens can grow anywhere from 10 inches to 3 feet depending on the variety.

propagation

Busy Lizzies are one of those plants that are super easy to grow from seed, but you can also propagate them by rooting cuttings.

They are also usually available from nurseries in multipacks, which are extremely affordable.

From seeds

Seeds should be started indoors 12 weeks before the last forecast frost date. Prepare a seed tray by filling it with seed starting medium. Gently sprinkle the seeds over the medium. Don’t bury them because they need light to germinate.

Using a water bottle, spritz the medium and cover with a piece of glass or clear plastic. Keep the soil moist while the seeds germinate. That means opening the cover and spraying before the soil starts to dry out.

Store the peel in bright, indirect sunlight. The seeds should sprout in two to three weeks. Once they come out, you can remove the cover. Thin the seedlings so that they are no closer than two inches apart in any direction.

Once two true leaves have formed, you can place the tray outside to harden off the seedlings. Keep the bowl in a sheltered place out of direct sunlight for an hour.

Add an hour the next day before bringing them back in. Add an hour each day until they can stay out all day.

Here’s a quick tip for the lazy gardener: If you live somewhere that doesn’t experience freezing temperatures below 32°F, you can seed plants growing in your yard at the end of the season.

Gently touch the seed pods when they are ripe. They will explode everywhere and send seeds into your garden bed. Next year, as long as conditions are favorable, you will likely have new seedlings springing up on their own.

From cuttings

You can also easily propagate Impatiens by rooting cuttings.

Cut off a stem about an inch long and remove all but two leaves. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone powder or gel and place the cutting in a pot filled with seed starter mix. Pour the medium so that it is damp but not soggy.

Tent a clear plastic bag over the cutting and place in a spot with bright, indirect light. Check once a day if the soil is still moist. Add water if necessary.

New roots should form within a few weeks. Give the cut a gentle puff. If it resists, you’ve made it! Harden off the cutting as described above for seedlings and plant in the ground.

If it doesn’t resist after a few weeks, it probably won’t root. Throw it and start again.

From seedlings/transplanting

Impatiens are one of the cheapest annuals available at the store. You can usually pick up a six-pack of these for a few bucks, and you can often find them even cheaper towards the end of spring.

Once you bring them home, prepare the garden for planting. You can plant as soon as the last predicted frost date for your area in spring has passed.

The first step is to make sure you have the kind of earth that makes love impatient. You want something rich, loamy, and well-draining but water-retaining.

Most of us don’t have this type of soil naturally, so the best way to create it is to add plenty of well-rotted compost to the soil. Compost helps improve both sandy and heavy clay soils.

Dig a hole about as deep and twice as wide as the container the plant came in and remove it from the container. Carefully loosen the roots and place the plant in the hole. Fill with soil and water well.

The grafts should be about 12 inches apart. The denser you plant them, the larger each plant will grow.

how do i breed

Ideally, you should place your plants in a spot where they will get a few hours of sunlight first thing in the morning.

Afternoon sun is too harsh, although dappled sunlight is fine. If you plant them in full, deep shade they will survive but the flowers will be reduced in size and number.

Touch-me-nots need a lot of water. The soil shouldn’t dry out too much, and that’s one of the reasons they don’t do well in full sun – they tend to dry out too quickly. If the surface of the soil starts to dry, add more water. If the plants start to droop, you’ve waited too long. Fertilize the plants once a month after the flower buds have formed with a flower-specific fertilizer. Down to Earth Alfalfa Meal Alfalfa Meal from Down to Earth is an excellent option. Arbico Organics carries half and five pound cases. Growing Tips Plant in partial sun or partial shade.

Keep the soil moist.

Fertilize with flower fertilizer once a month.

maintenance

Undoubtedly, part of the reason impatiens are so popular is that they require little grooming to look fabulous. They are self-cleaning, meaning you don’t have to remove the spent flowers to see new blooms.

You don’t have to push them back either. They have a naturally bushy, compact shape with no effort required. However, feel free to pinch away if you wish – there’s no harm.

Varieties to choose from

Impatiens are usually grouped by series, which is a marketing term used to group collections of plants with similar characteristics.

These usually have the same growth habit and cultural requirements, but differ from one cultivar to the next in terms of color or pattern on the flowers.

Accent With this series from Syngenta, the name is on the nose. These dwarf plants produce relatively massive buds compared to other strains, making them the perfect garden accent. These reach 10 to 12 inches in height and spread 10 inches. The large flowers are up to two inches in diameter and the seeds mature in 70 to 77 days. You’ll find Accent Series strains in red, pink, orange, salmon, lilac, purple and white, as well as ‘Peppermint Mix’ (a combination of pink and white flowers) and other seed mixes, as well as the unique ‘Star’. ‘ Varieties with red, orange, purple, or salmon-colored flowers that have white star-shaped centers. Accent ‘Red Star’ Accent ‘Red Star’ seeds and a variety of other color options are available in packs of 500 from True Leaf Market. Beacon The Beacon series is from the PanAmerican Seed Company and this flower was bred to be resistant to downy mildew. It was first introduced in 2020 and is now found across the country thanks to its ability to resist this common disease. Seedlings tend to cost more than other varieties, but the price will be worth it if your scrambled eggs make it through the season unscathed. Beacon ‘Paradise’ Mix These hardy flowers come in red, purple, salmon, coral, orange, rose and white. Plants grow 14 to 18 inches tall and spread 12 to 14 inches. Beacon ‘Paradise’ Mix is ​​available from Burpee in packs of 25 seeds or bundles of 24 live plants in a mix of colors including white, red, coral and purple. Imara XDR Imara is a name that symbolizes strength, but what’s the deal with the “XDR”? It stands for added disease resistance, with exciting flowers to boot! Launched by Syngenta Flowers in 2019, this series is highly resistant to downy mildew. With cultivars of red, orange, pink, purple, salmon, rose, and white, as well as mixes and colorful options with a white star center, the plants range in height and width from 10 to 12 inches. Imara XDR Seeds are available from the Park Seeds Store in packs of 30 via Amazon. This mix contains a variety of single color varieties. Managing Pests and Diseases Impatiens are most often at risk of damage or disease from herbivores and downy mildew, but there are a few other things to watch out for as well.

herbivores

Impatiens flowers are edible, and if you’ve ever nibbled on them, you might be surprised at how cute they are. Unfortunately, even herbivores have found out how delicious they are.

Deer

Deer love impatiens. If you have deer in your area, they will thank you for the dessert buffet you have provided for them.

If you get outside and your plants are mowed onto the ground, these animals are likely the culprits.

Our guide to dealing with deer can help.

Rabbits

Just like deer, rabbits love these flowers and they will munch on them before settling on many other options in your garden.

Rather than mowing your impatiens beds like deer do, they tend to chew off individual leaves and petals as they move through the garden.

We have an article to guide you through protecting your plants from rabbits.

insects and mites

Insect pests as well as mites are not a common problem for your plants unless they are stressed. But going into hiding in particular makes them vulnerable.

aphids

While many species of aphids can feed on impatiens, the tiny, yellow melon aphid (Aphis gossypii) is the most common.

Because they’re so small, you probably won’t spot the insects at first. Instead, you’ll notice yellow leaves and stunted growth.

However, this only happens when an infestation is fairly large, and significant infestations generally only occur when plants are stressed.

If you keep your impatiens happy by planting them in the right conditions and feeding and watering them as needed, a few aphids aren’t a big deal and aren’t a cause for concern.

For tips on recognizing and treating an aphid situation, check out our comprehensive guide.

spider mites

The two-spotted spider mite (Tetranychus urticae) is an extremely common garden visitor.

These tiny arachnids tend to prefer dry, warm conditions, so impatiens kept moist are less susceptible to infestation, and hardy plants are also less likely to succumb to infestation if these pests become a problem.

When spider mites feed on your impatiens, you’ll see fine webs on the plants and yellowed leaves. The flowers can be small or distorted.

As with aphids, we have an excellent guide to help you identify and control a spider mite situation.

thrips

Thrips are tiny winged insects that use their mouthparts to pierce the stems and leaves of plants and suck out the sap.

This causes the flowers and young leaves to appear distorted and stippling may be seen on existing foliage. They can also carry nasty diseases.

The western flower thrip (Frankliniella occidentalis) is yellow, medium brown or dark brown. These insects are thin and about a millimeter long.

Our guide to thrips can help you get an infestation under control.

illness

There are several diseases that affect impatiens, but downy mildew is the one you really need to be wary of.

Bacterial leaf spot disease

Bacterial leaf spot, or soft rot, is a generic term for diseases that can be caused by different types of bacteria in the genera Erwinia, Pseudomonas, and Xanthomonas.

These can cause water-soaked spots or stains on the leaves and stems of plants, and there is no known cure.

You will usually see brown, moist stems or leaves. If you get into the habit of inspecting your plants closely every week or so, the first symptoms are brown spots on the leaves.

These spots eventually merge together and the leaves later become soft and mushy as the disease progresses and spreads.

The problem is most common in wet conditions, especially if you sprinkle water on the leaves instead of watering at ground level. It can also happen when the soil doesn’t drain well.

Therefore, you should make sure to plant in well-drained soil. And water the soil, not the plants. Completely remove affected leaves or plants if necessary.

Wrong mildew

Impatiens downy mildew (IDW) has made growing these plants a challenge for the past decade. The plants are extremely susceptible and the conditions they like to grow in are perfect for downy mildew to thrive.

There are many resistant strains to be found these days, and many commercial growers use a preventive fungicide before shipping plants to stores, but this is something you should definitely be aware of.

dr Mary Hasubeck and her team from the Floriculture & Nursery Research Initiative at Michigan State University found that treating impatiens before they leave the nursery with a fungicide called Segovis prevents the disease from spreading, even if the plants never grow be treated again.

Nowadays, many growers use this technique to ensure the delivery of healthy plants.

Several strains and hybrids have also been bred to be more resistant to IDM. Despite this, the prevalence of this disease remains a problem.

IDW is caused by the aquatic mold Plasmopara obducens and once it has infected your plants there is no cure.

You won’t be able to grow Impatiens in the same area for years. If you see silvery-white mold on the undersides of the leaves, nip your plants immediately.

If you must have some species of impatiens in your garden after downy mildew, New Guineas are immune to IDW, so you might try growing that species next year instead.

Check out our New Guinea impatiens guide for growing tips (coming soon!).

Fasciation and leaf galls

When allure takes hold of your flower bed, your plants are definitely not having a good time. It makes your impatiens’ vegetative growth look odd and can ruin flowering.

It’s caused by a bacterium called Rhodococcus fascians and results in swollen stems that can be fused, twisted, and flat.

Leaves may be small and distorted, and flowers may not form or be deformed and small. You can also see galls on the leaves.

Unfortunately, there is no known cure. All you can do is pull the plants when they are infected.

Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus

Impatiens necrotic spot virus (INSV) is related to Tomato spotted wilt virus (TSWV). It is spread by thrips, which is why it’s important to try to prevent an infestation or control these pests if necessary.

It can be difficult to diagnose this disease because the symptoms are so varied. It can cause the plant to wilt or turn yellow, or you may see stunted flower growth, stunted vegetative growth, spots on leaves, or dying stems.

The only way to be sure that your plants have been infected with this virus is to send a sample to your local advisory office.

If the test is positive, you must pull and discard all of your plants. This pathogen can infect other plants besides impatiens, and you don’t want it to spread.

Verticillium wilt

This disease, caused by the fungi Verticillium dahliae and V. also-atrum, affects a wide variety of herbaceous plants, causing wilted and yellowed leaves.

Yellowing begins at the edges and between veins before spreading to the entire sheet. Eventually the leaves will turn brown and die.

There is no known treatment that is effective against Verticillium, and once your plants have it, it’s in your soil too. Other plants planted in the area in the future could be infected.

You can pull the plants to prevent spread or prune away the infected foliage and hope your impatiens continue to put on a beautiful display for the rest of the season.

At the end of the year, remove all plants and debris. Dispose of all infected leaves and plant debris in the trash rather than on your compost heap.

Best use

Impatiens shine as a bedding plant, especially in large groups when planted en masse. They also do well as a border option or in containers such as window boxes or hanging planters.

You can grow Impatiens under trees, but should not place them where tree roots are near the surface of the earth.

Don’t forget that you can eat the flowers as long as they have not been treated with chemicals. Try them as a topping for salad or ice cream.

Perennial impatiens are only winter hardy in United States Department of Agriculture zones 10 through 11, and they can be invasive in the South if self-seeding. There are numerous varieties of this plant, all with colorful, showy flowers. The flowers are long-lived, blooming in spring and staying bright until the first frost. Perennial impatiens can grow up to 2 feet tall and 2 feet wide. While live plants are usually easy to find, they can also be grown from seed as early as 8-10 weeks before the last frost.

Annuals are essential additions to the home landscape due to their colorful blooms and long flowering period. Popular annuals for sunny locations include marigolds, petunias, and geraniums. Impatiens are the perfect choice for partially shaded locations.

Impatient

Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) is the most popular bedding plant in the United States. They are ideal for containers, hanging baskets and beds.

Impatiens have glossy, mid-green leaves. Flowers are 1 to 2 inches in diameter, can be single or double, and come in a variety of colors. Plants typically grow 12 to 18 inches tall.

Plants can be purchased from garden centers and greenhouses in spring. Impatiens are also relatively easy to grow from seed. Home gardeners should sow seeds outdoors 8 to 10 weeks before the expected date of planting. Suggested Impatiens include strains from the Accent, Tempo, and Super Elfin series. The plants in this series are compact, floriferous and available in a wide range of colours.

Impatiens do best in moist, well-drained soil in partial shade. Sites that receive 2 to 4 hours of filtered sun during the day or morning sun and afternoon shade are usually ideal. Impatiens can also be grown in heavy shade. In heavily shaded locations, however, the plants grow taller and flower less profusely.

Plant impatiens outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Plants purchased in a greenhouse or grown indoors should be “hardened off” or acclimated to outdoor conditions for several days before planting. First place the plants in a shady, sheltered spot and gradually expose them to the sun for a short time.

Impatiens growing in garden beds will usually need watering once a week during dry weather. Plants grown in containers or hanging baskets should be checked and watered frequently when the soil surface is dry.

Impatiens require moderate fertilization. Plants in containers should be fertilized with a water-soluble fertilizer about every 2 weeks. In flower beds, it should be sufficient to work a slow-release fertilizer into the soil before planting.

New Guinea Impatiens

New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) are native to the island of New Guinea. They were introduced in the United States in 1970. While the initial introductions didn’t work well, plant breeders have introduced many new, improved strains over the past 25 years. These newer cultivars have made New Guinea impatiens popular pot and landscape plants.

New Guinea impatiens have green, bronze, or variegated leaves and large, showy flowers. Flowers can be up to 3 inches in diameter. The flower colors vary from white and light pink to light pink, red, purple and orange.

Most New Guinea impatiens are propagated by cuttings. Gardeners can buy plants in greenhouses and garden centers in the spring. Some strains, like those in the Java series, can be grown from seed. New Guinea Impatiens seeds should be grown indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the expected outdoor planting date.

New Guinea impatiens thrive best in locations that receive morning sun and afternoon shade. Eastern exposures are often best. Plants that get too much sun don’t flower well (flowers are smaller and less numerous) and may have damaged leaves.

New Guinea impatiens require moist, well-drained soil. They do not like wet or dry soil. In moist soil, plants are prone to root rot. Plants wilt poorly in dry soil. While wilted plants recover quickly with watering, moisture stress leads to flower bud breakage and fewer blooms. It can also lead to browning of the leaf edges and leaf fall.

New Guinea impatiens do not like cool nighttime temperatures. It is usually best to plant them outdoors about 2 weeks after the average last spring frost. When planting, place New Guinea impatiens at the same depth at which they are currently growing.

New Guinea impatiens in containers should be checked regularly. Water plants when the soil surface becomes dry. A deep soak once a week should be enough for plants growing in landscape beds.

New Guinea impatiens require moderate fertilization. Plants growing in pots or other containers should be fertilized with a water-soluble fertilizer about every 2 weeks. Incorporating a slow release fertilizer into the soil prior to planting should be sufficient for plants in landscape beds.

rose balm

Although very popular in recent years, balsam rose (Impatiens balsamina) is no longer widely grown in home gardens. It is also known as a touch-me-not.

Garden balm is an upright plant that can grow 1 to 2 1/2 feet tall. Its flowers are double and resemble small camellias or roses. Flower colors include white, cream, pink, rose, purple, red, and bicolor. Although attractive, the flowers are partially obscured by foliage. As a result, rose balm is not as showy as other Impatiens species. After flowering, plants produce football-shaped pods (fruit). When ripe, these pods will burst when touched, hence the common name touch-me-not. Strains in the Tom Thumb series produce double buds on 8 to 12 inch tall plants.

While harder to find than other impatiens, garden balm can be purchased at garden centers. Plants can also be started indoors. Sow the seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the expected outdoor planting date. Seeds can also be sown directly outdoors after the danger of frost has passed.

Garden balm does best in partial shade and in moist, well-drained soil. Before planting, lightly fertilize the area with a slow-release garden fertilizer. In dry weather, the plants should be watered once a week. Garden balm is most commonly used in flower beds and borders.

Common name Impatiens, Hardworking Lizzy Botanical name Impatiens spp. Family Balsaminaceae Plant type Tender perennial, usually grown as an annual Size 6–36 in. tall; 1–3 feet wide Sun Exposure Partial to full shade Soil Type Rich, well-drained soil Soil pH 6.0-6.5 (slightly acidic) Flowering Time Spring, Summer Flower Color Pastels and vivid colors including white, red, pink, purple, coral red, purple and yellow Hardiness Zones 10-11 (USDA, grown elsewhere as an annual) Native range Africa, Eurasia, New Guinea

Impatien’s care

Impatiens flowers have long been one of the dominant bedding plants in North America, particularly for shady areas. They are also used in container gardens, from hanging baskets to window boxes. Most commonly, impatiens are planted from nursery seedlings that are already close to flowering stage, although they can also be grown from seeds and cuttings.

Impatiens are easily grown in any moist, well-drained soil in a shaded or partially shaded spot. If planted in soil that is too cold, these plants will languish for the entire growing season. After planting, pinching back the stems will encourage bushier growth.

The spruce / autumn wood

Brennan Bill/Getty Images

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Standard impatiens can be grown in partially sunny locations in northern regions given adequate water, but their greatest virtue is that they thrive in shade. In fact, they are among the relatively few readily available, inexpensive flowering plants that display great blooms even in full shade.

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Grow standard impatiens flowers in well-drained soil enriched with organic matter. The soil needs to be well-draining to avoid becoming boggy from the frequent watering that Impatiens requires.

water

Once in the ground, standard impatiens require at least 2 inches of water per week. When temperatures average consistently above 80 degrees Fahrenheit, water plants at least 4 inches weekly. In window boxes and hanging pots, impatiens may need daily watering, especially when the daytime temperature rises above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

temperature and humidity

Impatiens are quite sensitive to heat. If there has been a long dry spell your plants will likely look wilted. Luckily, once given water, they recover quickly. Impatiens thrive well in humid weather.

fertilizer

Impatiens bloom best when fertilized regularly. A water-soluble fertilizer can be used every two weeks in spring and summer. Another option is a slow-release fertilizer, used in early spring and then again in mid-summer.

If your Impatiens plants are looking leggy late in the summer, use scissors to snip off the top third of their vegetation. This encourages the emergence of new buds and improves the overall appearance of the plants.

species of impatiens

There are more than a thousand species of impatiens. Standard impatiens may still be difficult to find, with mildew resistant cultivars still being developed and introduced. Your best pick might come from New Guinea with impatiens. Some recommended varieties of Standard and New Guinea impatiens are:

Impatiens walleriana ‘Imara XDR’: This line is a new disease-resistant line of standard impatiens from Syngenta, released in 2019. There are seven colors as well as color blends in this series, which promises to restore Standard Impatiens to their former popularity.

This line is a new disease resistant line of standard impatiens from Syngenta, released in 2019. There are seven colors, plus color blends, in this series that promises to return Standard Impatiens to their former popularity. Impatiens walleriana ‘Beacon’: This is another series of standard impatiens that is “very resistant” to powdery mildew and was introduced in 2020. Beacon comes from the Super Elfin line and is available in many colors.

This is another series of standard impatiens that is “very resistant” to powdery mildew and was introduced in 2020. Beacon comes from the Super Elfin line and is available in many colors. Impatiens hawkeri ‘Celebration’ Series: This is one of the finest New Guinea impatiens. These plants come in a wide range of vibrant colors and grow up to 16 inches tall. These plants were likely crossed with other species of impatiens.

This is one of the best impatiens from New Guinea. These plants come in a wide range of vibrant colors and grow up to 16 inches tall. These plants were likely crossed with other species of impatiens. Impatiens x ‘Bounce’ Series: Developed by Ball Horticultural Company, this hybrid series of impatiens is a cross between New Guinea and standard impatiens. They are resistant to downy mildew and thrive in both sun and shade, according to the company. It “springs” back nicely after wilting in hot weather.

Developed by Ball Horticultural Company, this hybrid series of impatiens is a cross between New Guinea and standard impatiens. They are resistant to downy mildew and thrive in both sun and shade, according to the company. It “springs” back nicely after wilting in hot weather. Impatiens x ‘SunPatiens’ Series: This New Guinea Impatiens variety has unusually large flowers (up to 3 inches in diameter) of a unique salmon pink hue. Reaching up to 3 feet in height, the Sunpatiens lineage is intermediate between New Guinea impatiens and standard impatiens species.

clipping

If your Impatiens plants are looking leggy late in the summer, use sterile, sharp pruning shears to snip off the top third of their vegetation. This encourages the emergence of new buds and improves the overall appearance of the plants.

Propagation of Impatiens

Impatiens will readily self-seed even in colder climates, although it may be most of the following year’s growing season before the seeds produce flowering plants. Because of this, it is easier to propagate impatiens from cuttings taken in the fall. How to propagate impatiens with cuttings:

Using a sterile, sharp cutting tool, snip off a 4 to 6 inch long plant shoot with plenty of leaves. Pinch off the lower pairs of leaves and any flowers or seed pods. Suspend the cutting in water and place it in a light spot but out of direct sunlight. Replace the water frequently (every few days) when it becomes cloudy. When a good root system has developed, plant the cutting in potting soil or a mixture of soil and vermiculite or perlite. Keep growing in a bright place out of direct sunlight. Keep the potting soil moist at all times. Plant in the garden after the last frost in spring.

How to grow impatiens from seed

Impatiens flowers take their name from the Latin impatiens, which means “impatient.” They are so named because their mature seed pods sometimes burst open at just a light touch (as if impatient to open). Some gardeners also collect seeds from these “exploding” pods that the plants produce in late summer and fall, and then start them indoors in a seed starting mix in later winter, six to 10 weeks before the last frost. When planted from seed, impatiens can take several months to mature into flowering plants. How to plant impatiens from seed.

Fill small pots or seed cells with a moist seed starter mix. Place a seed or two about 1/2 inch down in each pot or cell and cover with the mixture. Cover the pots or cells with a plastic bag that is closed at the bottom and has a few small slits at the top to allow the plants to breathe. Place the seeds in a bright spot or place them under grow lights or fluorescent lights for about 16 hours a day. Remove the plastic bag once the seed has germinated and a pair of leaves have grown. Plant seedlings after the last spring frost.

wintering

Impatiens are tropical plants that turn to mush with the first light frost. Bring them indoors if you want to store them in the colder months.

Common pests and plant diseases

The popular impatiens fell out of favor in 2004 when a particular form of downy mildew emerged and quickly decimated breeding stock in commercial nurseries across North America. This disease is caused by a pathogen called Plasmopara obducens and has virtually halted commercial sales of standard impatiens for more than a decade. Standard impatiens only started making a comeback in 2019 with the development of some powdery mildew resistant hybrids.

Aside from the downy mildew that has ravaged standard impatiens, these plants can be attacked by viruses, fungi, and rot. These problems are more likely to occur in damp, wet conditions or where plants are close together.

Impatiens have problems with insects, including aphids, mealybugs, thrips, whiteflies, slugs, snails, and spider mites. Heavily infested plants can be removed; minor infestations can be treated with horticultural oils or pesticides.

Common problems with impatiens

While these easy-to-grow buds can generally be left alone, they present some common challenges.

leggy

One possible cause of impatiens becoming leggy is overfeeding.

burned leaves

Too much sun can scorch the leaves of most Impatiens cultivars, although New Guinea cultivars can usually tolerate full sun if given extra moisture.

As children, the ice cream truck was an icon for simple summer treats. Ice cream, sorbet and colorful ice cream were the quintessential summer treats.

As adults, the local garden center is our new ice cream truck and impatiens are the new easy treat. Their hues resemble watermelon, tangerine, peach, and grape popsicles, vanilla and strawberry popsicles, or orange and white popsicles.

Impatiens will add richness and a touch of color to any garden setting

Impatiens are one of the most reliable summer annuals – easy to grow and perfect for shady spots. In tubs, hanging baskets, window boxes and garden beds, they ensure abundance and continuous color from late spring to early autumn. Do you have an empty spot somewhere that needs to be repaired quickly? Impatiens will fill the void with mounds of soft hues or vibrant shades.

These sweet plants get their name from the Latin word for impatient because they hastily hurl the seeds out of their pods with the slightest touch. They originally come from East Africa and belong to the Balsaminaceae family, which includes over 800 plant species. They are evergreen perennials in their native tropical climate, but are annuals in most other regions.

species of impatiens

New Impatiens varieties are introduced every year in different sizes and colors – it’s always a pleasant surprise to see the new ones in the garden centre! There are single and double flowers in solid colors and bright shades.

As well as the pink, orange, red and purple tones we’ve come to expect, there are now lemon and apricot tones, bringing surprising colors and contrasts to blend in with other summer florals. Available in small, medium, and large sizes, there’s an Impatiens for everyone.

Impatiens come in so many varieties and bright colors.

Individual impatiens are the ones we typically see throughout the garden center. They have five flat petals and light green leaves that form waves of color. They pair beautifully with other shade-loving foliage plants like hosta or moss for a tranquil setting. Also try them with daylilies and ornamental grasses for a natural setting.

Impatiens are one of the few plants that will flower in the shade but will also tolerate full sun

Double impatiens look like miniature roses forming bouquets in flowers surrounded by light green foliage. Perfect for gardeners who love roses anywhere, even in small spaces like hanging baskets, window boxes and containers where rose bushes are impractical. Mix brightly colored double impatiens with hanging vines and asparagus ferns for country charm.

New Guinea impatiens are large and showy, reaching up to 60 cm in height. Developed to withstand more sun than other cultivars, they offer a wonderful range of colors and are valued for their large variegated foliage. Like all impatiens, they will wither without adequate water, but they are very forgiving – a good drink of water should quickly revive a wilted New Guinea!

care tips

Once the threat of frost has passed, your impatiens can be planted. As one of the few plants that will flower in the shade but also tolerate full sun, they are a must have for any gardener. They will fight in deep shade under large trees or in spots with full afternoon sun, but generally perform exceptionally in almost any garden spot.

Impatiens love moisture but hate standing water – they’ll let you know when they’re thirsty by hanging their stalks for you to give them to drink. If your impatiens are in a sunny spot, in a container, or in a hanging basket, they will need more water than those planted in the shade.

Impatiens create adorable planters and window boxes.

Impatiens will grow tall and full with regular fertilizing and pinching back to encourage new branch formation. To make maintenance easier, add some water-soluble fertilizer once a week when watering the plants. In midsummer, your impatiens can grow long and leggy. To keep them full and attractive they need to be trimmed. Trim the stems back to the desired height with sharp scissors – cut just above the node where the stem branches.