Impatiens
Impatiens walleriana
Impatiens are compact, free-flowering plants for shady spots, covered in flat flowers in pink, red, orange, white and lilac. They brighten shaded balconies, verandas and hanging baskets.
Photo: Thegreenj · CC BY-SA 3.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Partial sun, Bright indirect light
Watering
Moderate
Keep the soil evenly moist; plants wilt quickly when dry.
Soil
Rich, moist, well-drained potting mix; pH 5.5–6.5.
Temperature and humidity
10–30 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed every two weeks with a diluted balanced fertilizer.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed, stem cuttings
Pinch leggy stems to keep plants bushy.
Impatiens are not known to be toxic to people or pets.
Top Cultivation Tips
Ideal for shady corners where little else flowers.
Cuttings root in water within a week.
Do not let pots dry out in warm weather.
New Guinea impatiens tolerate more sun.
Common problems
Aphids
Small, soft-bodied insects that cluster on new shoots and buds, sucking sap and leaving sticky honeydew behind.
How to treat it →PestBroad mites
Microscopic mites that cause twisted, hardened, bronzed leaves and stunted growth on peppers, aubergines and many ornamentals.
How to treat it →DiseaseDowny mildew
A water-mould disease that causes yellow patches on top of leaves and grey-purple fuzz underneath, spreading fast in cool, wet weather.
How to treat it →PestSpider mites
Tiny sap-sucking mites that thrive in hot, dry conditions, causing speckled, dull leaves and fine webbing.
How to treat it →DiseaseTomato spotted wilt virus
A virus carried by thrips that causes bronze rings and spots on leaves and fruit and wilts tomatoes, peppers, lettuce and many flowers.
How to treat it →
