Crop Rotation Group
Miscellaneous
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Soil
Fertile, well-drained soil.
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Position
Partial sun.
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Frost tolerant
None. Impatiens cannot tolerate cold temperatures.
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Feeding
Mix a standard application of a balanced organic fertilizer into the soil prior to planting. In midsummer, drench plants with a liquid plant food to stimulate new growth.
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Companions
Impatiens grow better in shade than most other annuals. You can combine them with coleus with leaf colors that echo those from impatiens blossoms.
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Spacing
Single Plants: 7" (20cm) each way (minimum)
Rows: 7" (20cm) with 11" (30cm) row gap (minimum)
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Sow and Plant
Sow impatiens seeds indoors in moist seed starting mix, and provide very bright light. Most gardeners buy impatiens seedlings, which are widely available as bedding plants. Allow 12 inches (30cm) between taller varieties of New Guinea impatiens.
Our Garden Planning Tool can produce a personalized calendar of when to sow, plant and harvest for your area.
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Notes
Impatiens need a steady supply of water. Varieties are available in more than twenty different colors and bicolors.
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Harvesting
Impatiens shed their old blossoms cleanly, so there is little need for removing old blossoms. However, pruning back tired plants in late summer can help stimulate new growth.
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Troubleshooting
Spider mites can be a problem, especially with impatiens grown in containers. In recent years, impatiens downy mildew has become a serious problem in many parts of the US following periods of cool rain.
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