Growing Impatiens

Impatiens is typically an annual plant, but it produces seeds which will enable continuing growth from season to season. In mild climates, some impatiens varieties are perennial, and they can bloom all year round.

The blooms of impatiens are typically star-shaped, with five petals, but there are also varieties of semi-double and double petals. Their colors include white, red, orange, purple, lavender, and peach. They generally grow up to 12 to 18 inches high in low neat mounds, making them perfect in gardens, borders, and containers.

Although impatiens can be grown from seeds or cuttings, the easiest way of growing impatiens when you’re just starting out is to buy them from a nursery or the gardening center of some stores. Select stocky plants that display plenty of green, healthy-looking leaves, avoiding any plants that show signs of wilting, insect damage, or disease.

If the flower color isn’t important to you, choose plants that aren’t yet in bloom, so that they can focus on developing strong root systems when they’re planted instead using all their energy on flowering. When you’re planting impatiens in your garden, patience is key. (oh no—not another pun!) Impatiens is extremely susceptible to freezing temperatures, so wait until all danger of a late spring frost has passed before planting. Most impatiens varieties prefer shade, although some recent varieties can tolerate sunlight. When you’re choosing a site for your impatiens, make sure you’re clear on which variety you are planting. To enrich the soil and optimize retention of moisture, incorporate some compost into your garden’s topsoil. After planting, add some mulch, and water frequently and deeply throughout the growing season to keep the soil evenly moist. If your impatiens plants are allowed to dry out, they’ll be more susceptible to disease.

Feeding is also important for maintaining the health of impatiens. If you didn’t include a slow-release fertilizer at planting time, remember to fertilize every four to six weeks with an all-purpose fertilizer. If you’re growing impatiens in containers or pots, liquid fertilizer should be used on these every three to four weeks.

While impatiens are hardy plants with a high susceptibility to disease and pests, you may occasionally see signs of distorted, curled, crisp-edged leaves, small yellow or brown spots, or other indications that all is not well. This might mean that you have a problem with red spider mites, aphids, white flies, thrips, or some forms of molds and blights. For insect infestations, a water-based insecticide will help keep populations under control. If you’re worried about hazardous chemicals, you can also create your own bug-fighting concoction by mixing a teaspoon of liquid dishwashing soap (for the sink, not the machine) with one part alcohol and one part water in a sprayer bottle.

If your plants have a disease, prevent the disease from spreading by picking the affected flowers and throwing them away. Be sure to avoid contact with the healthy parts of the plants, and wash your hands after you have completed the process.Unlike many flowering plants, impatiens blooms don’t need to be dead-headed to sustain the blooming process. That being said, pinching the tips of the stems will encourage bushier plants with more stems for flowering. Once they have succumbed to frost in the fall, tear out the plants and dispose of them—there’s always next year!


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