Impatiens flowers commonly referred to as touch-me-nots, do well in shaded areas. This adaptable and beautiful flowering plant is great for a shady garden and does well as a houseplant. In this guide, we’ll indicate all the information you need to know about this lovely plant!
2 Types of Impatiens
Although there are over a hundred species of impatiens, they can be divided into two main groups.
Standard impatiens
One of the most popular bedding plants used to spruce up public parks and landscapes around the world is Impatiens Walleriana, widely known as busy Lizzie or balsam. In countries without frost, it is a herbaceous perennial, although, in many regions of the United States (particularly USDA hardiness zones 10 and 11) and other temperate regions, it is considered a half-hardy annual. Standard impatiens come in a range of colors, thrive in full or partial shade, and, relying on the cultivar, can reach heights of up to two feet. The most widely produced impatien variety worldwide is the hybrid known as the “Super Elfin” cultivar.
New Guinea impatiens
Impatiens hawkeri, commonly referred to as sun impatiens because of its increased tolerance for sunlight, is a hybrid variation that grows larger and more colorful flowers than impatiens from other regions. The foliage of the three-foot-tall, mildew-resistant New Guinea impatiens comes in a variety of colors, such as green, purple, and bronze. Impatiens from New Guinea are often more challenging to grow from seed. The Sunpatien series, which tolerates full sun environments, is one of the most recent and well-liked varieties of New Guinea impatiens.
How to Plant Impatiens
Flowers Impatiens plants are typically obtained from the garden center as well-rooted plants. They are also very simple to grow from impatiens seeds or cuttings. Ensure that you keep your annual plants well-watered when you take them home from the store until you plant them. They are extremely sensitive to water shortage and will rapidly wilt if they do.
Impatiens blooms work well as container plants, border plants, and bedding plants. They prefer deep shade and moist yet well-draining soil. They don’t thrive in direct sunlight, but you can put them there after acclimating them to the harsher light. This can be accomplished by gradually increasing the quantity of sunlight the impatiens plants receive over the course of a week.
You might plant your impatiens outside in your garden once all the threat of frost has passed. Slightly squeeze the container that you purchased your impatiens flowers in to loosen the dirt before planting. It should be simple to remove the impatiens plant from the pot if you invert it in your hand. If not, squeeze the pot once more and look for any roots that might be penetrating the bottom. Roots that are protruding through the pot’s bottom can all be cut back.
Make a hole at least as large and deep as the rootball for the impatiens plant. The plant’s position in the ground should be identical to how it was in the pot. Fill the hole back in gently and give the impatiens plant plenty of water. If you want, you can place impatiens blooms 2 to 4 inches (5-10 cm) apart from one another. The plants will spread together more quickly to make a bank of gorgeous impatiens flowers the tighter they are grown together.
Impatiens Care
In North America, impatiens flowers have long dominated the bedding plant landscape, particularly in shady locations. Additionally, they are utilized in container gardening, which can include window boxes and hanging baskets. Although they may be grown from seeds and cuttings, impatiens are typically planted from nursery seedlings that are currently close to flowering maturity.
Light: In northern climates, standard impatiens might be grown in a site that is partly sunny with enough water, but their greatest strength is that they do best in the shade. In fact, even when grown in complete shadow, they are one of the relatively few commonly available, low-cost flowering plants that will put on an excellent summer-long floral display.
Soil: In well-drained soil that has been improved with organic matter, grow typical impatiens flowers. They prefer a pH range of 6.0 to 6.5 in their slightly acidic soil. To avoid becoming soggy from the impatiens’ regular watering needs, the soil must drain effectively.
Fertilizer: Impatiens will bloom at their best if fertilized frequently. In the spring and summer, a water-soluble fertilizer could be applied every 2 weeks. A slow-release fertilizer applied at the start of spring and once more midway through summer provides an additional choice. Follow the directions on the product packaging for how much to use.
Water: Standard impatiens require at least 2 inches of water per week once planted in the ground. Water the plants at least 4 inches every week when the mean temperature is persistently higher than 80 degrees Fahrenheit. Impatiens in window boxes and hanging pots may require daily watering, particularly if the daily high temperature exceeds 85 degrees Fahrenheit.
Temperature and Humidity: Impatiens are extremely heat-sensitive. Your plants may probably appear withered if there has been a prolonged dry spell. Fortunately, once given water, they swiftly recover. Humid conditions are suitable for impatiens growth.
Common Pests & Plant Diseases
When a specific type of downy mildew emerged in 2004 and quickly wiped out the breeding stock in commercial greenhouses across North America, the famous impatiens fell out of favor. The Plasmopara abducens pathogen, which causes this illness, effectively ended the commercial sale of conventional impatiens for more than ten years. It wasn’t until 2019 that standard impatiens started making a comeback thanks to the discovery of a few mildew-resistant hybrids.
These plants are susceptible to viruses, fungal blights, and rots in addition to the downy mildew that decimated regular impatiens. In humid, moist environments or in areas where plants are packed closely together, these issues are more prone to occur.
Aphids, snails, mealybugs, slugs, thrips, whiteflies, and spider mites are just a few of the insects that cause trouble for impatiens. Plants that are severely impacted can be pulled out, while small infestations might be handled with horticultural oils or pesticides.
FAQs
Where should impatiens be planted?
Impatiens can be grown in any moist, well-drained soil in a shaded or partially shaded area. Planting time is optimal in late spring when the soil has warmed to at least 60 degrees F. These plants will sulk the entire growing season if they are planted in too-cold soil.
Are impatiens easy to keep alive?
The standard impatiens (Impatiens walleriana), which are easy to cultivate and require little maintenance, are still one of the most popular annual kinds because of their profusion of blossoms.
Is it possible to plant impatiens indoors?
Impatiens can flourish in a typical indoor environment with a humidity level of at least 50%. They will demand high humidity if the temperature is higher than 75 degrees. Plants should be set up on saucers made of wet stones, and their foliage should be misted every day.
Are impatiens poisonous to dogs?
Impatiens are not poisonous to dogs. Any portion of the plant might upset the dog’s stomach, resulting in vomiting or diarrhea. Fortunately, the bitter flavor of the plant will deter your pet from eating it.
Are impatiens annuals or perennials?
Impatiens is a sensitive perennial that thrives in shade and is sometimes planted as an annual. It blooms in a variety of stunning impatiens colors, including reds, purples, pinks, whites, and oranges.
Do impatiens like shade?
Impatiens are often smaller than New Guineas and are simple to grow. They grow into colorful carpeted mounds and favor shaded locations. They may get lanky during the course of the summer, so it is a good idea to pinch or scissor them back; they may flush up once again in a week or two.
Do impatiens like sun?
In reality, you can utilize impatiens to support other plants in the garden survive that are harmed less visibly. Impatiens thrive in full to partial shade away from the midday sun.
Do impatiens spread?
Unlike grass or strawberry plants, they don’t really spread widely; instead, they grow in bushy mounds and have a ruthless seeding behavior. Impatiens are cultivated as annuals elsewhere but are hardy in USDA plant hardiness zones 10 and 11.
How many impatiens per pot?
Depending upon the variety, impatiens might maintain a compact growth pattern or spread out, and on average, a 12-inch container may support three to four plants. We advise draining extra water from the pot using a container with drainage holes.
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