Busy Lizzie.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Annual flowering plant

Light

Partial shade to full shade

Indoor light

medium

Water

Every 2 to 4 days

Mature size

Up to 1 foot tall and 1 foot wide

Growth rate

fast

Bloom time

Spring to fall

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, and provide good air circulation to prevent fungal issues. Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers and maintain a tidy appearance.

Watering

Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Avoid letting it dry out completely.

Feeding

Feed every two weeks with a balanced liquid fertilizer during the growing season.

Pruning

Pinch back young plants to encourage bushiness. Prune lightly as needed to shape.

Repotting

Typically grown as an annual, so repotting is usually not necessary beyond replacing it each year.

Soil

Rich, well-draining potting mix

Soil pH

Slightly acidic to neutral (5.6-7.5)

Temperature

18 to 24°C

Humidity

40 to 60%

Safety

People

This plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Pets

Non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Children

While not toxic, the small seeds could be a choking hazard for very young children.

Edibility

The seeds and leaves are edible when cooked, but it's generally not a common food source.

How to identify it

• Low-growing habit
• Continuous blooms
• Simple, ovate leaves
• Comes in many colors

Height

0.15 to 0.3m

Spread

0.15 to 0.3m

Leaves

Green, evergreen

Flowers

Pink, Red, White, Purple, Orange, Bicolor, 2.5 to 5cm

Common problems

• Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus — Causes ringspots, necrotic spots, and wilting, often spread by thrips.
• Downy Mildew — Leads to yellowing leaves, purplish spots on the undersides, and eventual defoliation.
• Spider Mites — Tiny pests that cause stippling on leaves and fine webbing, thriving in dry conditions.
• Aphids — Small insects that cluster on new growth, sucking sap and potentially causing distorted leaves.

Growing it

Propagation

Seed, Cuttings

When to plant

Spring

When planting Impatiens, ensure their neighbors won't overly compete for moisture or cast too much shade, which could lead to leggy growth.

Grows well with

• Hostas — Hostas also prefer shady, moist conditions and provide a lovely textural contrast with their broad leaves.
• Ferns — Ferns complement Impatiens with their delicate foliage and thrive in similar shady, damp environments.
• Astilbe — Astilbe adds feathery blooms to shady spots and shares the need for consistent moisture.
• Coleus — Coleus offers colorful foliage in shade and grows well alongside Impatiens.

Keep away from

• Direct Sunlight — Intense, direct sunlight can scorch the leaves and inhibit blooming.
• Drought — These plants require consistent moisture and will wilt dramatically if allowed to dry out.

Similar species

• New Guinea Impatiens — New Guinea Impatiens are larger and tolerate more sun than Impatiens walleriana, often with variegated foliage.
• Patience Plant — This species is a larger, shrubbier Impatiens that can sometimes survive milder winters.

Science

Family

Balsaminaceae

Genus

Impatiens

Order

Ericales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern Africa

Conservation

Not of conservation concern.

In its native habitat, it grows in damp, shaded areas, often along forest floors or streambanks.

Value to wildlife

nectar source

Pollinators

hummingbirds, butterflies

Uses

ornamental

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

How much sun does Impatiens walleriana need?

It prefers partial to full shade; too much direct sun can scorch the leaves.

What kind of soil is best?

Rich, moist, well-draining soil is ideal.

How often should I water it?

Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during hot weather.

Can it survive frost?

No, Impatiens walleriana is a tender perennial and is typically grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Where the name comes from

The genus name 'Impatiens' derives from the Latin word 'impatiens,' meaning impatient, referring to the explosive dehiscence of its seed pods. 'Walleriana' honors the English missionary and botanist Horace Waller.

Good to know

• The common name 'Impatiens' comes from the Latin word for 'impatient' because its seed pods burst open when touched.
• It thrives in shady, moist conditions, making it a great choice for woodland gardens or under taller plants.
• Busy Lizzies come in a wide range of vibrant colors, including pink, red, orange, white, and purple.