Can I grow these in full sun?

They prefer partial to full shade and will likely scorch in direct, hot sun.

Why are my plants wilting?

They are very thirsty plants and will droop immediately if the soil is not kept consistently moist.

Plant guide

Busy Lizzie.

Impatiens walleriana

Pronounced im-PAY-shenz wal-ler-ee-AY-na

Also known as Busy Lizzie, Busy Lizzie, Bizzy lizzy, Balsam, Zanzibar balsam, Sultana, Sultan's flower, Sultan's balsam, Impatiens, Garden impatiens, Patience plant, Patient Lucy, Buzzy lizzy, balsam, busy-Lizzy

Busy Lizzies are cheerful, shade loving plants that bring constant color to your garden. They're perfect for containers or as bedding plants in spots that don't get harsh sun. You'll love how they bloom almost non stop throughout the growing season.

At a glance

Care level: Easy
Plant type: Annual
Light: Partial shade to full shade
Indoor light: Medium light
Water: Every 2 to 4 days
Mature size: 1 to 2 feet
Growth rate: Fast
Hardiness: USDA 10 to 11
Bloom time: Late spring to first frost

Care

Keep the soil consistently moist but never soggy to prevent root rot. If the plant starts to wilt, it's usually asking for a drink right away. Watch for signs of downy mildew, which shows up as white fuzz on the undersides of leaves.

Watering: Water whenever the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch.
Feeding: Feed with a balanced liquid fertilizer every two weeks during the active growing season.
Pruning: Pinch back the tips of stems to encourage a bushier shape and more blooms.
Repotting: Since they are usually grown as annuals, you rarely need to repot them unless you're keeping them indoors long term.
Soil: Rich, well draining potting mix
Soil pH: 6.0 to 7.0
Temperature: 10 to 30°C
Humidity: 50 to 70%
Drought tolerance: Low
Lifespan: Tender perennial, often grown as an annual.
Deer and rabbits: Low

Signs it needs repotting

Roots growing out of the drainage holes
Plant wilts very quickly even after watering

Safety

People: The plant is generally considered non-toxic but can cause minor irritation if handled excessively.
Pets: This plant is generally considered non toxic to cats and dogs.
Children: The plant is not poisonous, but the stems are brittle and can be messy if broken by small children.
Contact allergens: The stems contain a watery sap that may cause mild skin irritation in sensitive individuals.
Airborne allergens: There are no significant airborne allergens associated with this plant.
Edibility: This plant is not intended for consumption and may cause digestive upset if ingested.

How to identify it

Succulent, fleshy, semi translucent stems
Brightly colored, flat, five petaled flowers
Lance shaped, serrated green leaves
Compact and bushy growth habit

Height: 0.15 to 0.6m
Spread: 0.2 to 0.5m
Leaves: green, bronze, deciduous
Flowers: pink, red, white, purple, orange, 2 to 5cm

Problems to watch for

AphidsCommon
Downy MildewCommon
Slugs and SnailsCommon
Botrytis BlightUncommon
Root RotUncommon
WhiteflyUncommon

By symptom

Check your busy lizzie from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

Growing it

Propagation: cuttings, seed
When to plant: spring
Overwintering: Bring containers indoors before the first frost to a bright, cool room. Keep the soil slightly moist throughout the winter months.
In containers: They are excellent in containers, provided the pot has drainage holes and is at least 20 centimeters wide.

Stem Cuttings

1. Take a 10 centimeter cutting from a healthy stem.
2. Remove the lower leaves.
3. Place the cutting in a glass of water or moist potting soil.
4. Roots will typically appear within 2 weeks.

Group these with other shade loving plants that have similar water needs to keep maintenance simple.

Grows well with

Begonia — They share similar requirements for shade and moisture.
Coleus — The foliage colors of coleus provide a nice contrast to impatiens flowers.

Similar species

New Guinea Impatiens — This species is much more resistant to downy mildew.

Science

Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
Order: Ericales
Class: Magnoliopsida
Native range: Eastern Africa
Conservation: This species is not currently listed as endangered or protected.

It grows in the moist, shaded understory of tropical forests where it relies on high humidity.

Value to wildlife: nectar source
Pollinators: bees, butterflies, moths
Uses: container gardening, shade borders, hanging baskets

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 1/9
Soil reaction: 6/9
Moisture: 7/9
Nutrients: 6/9
Light: 3/9
Temperature: 8/9

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Can I grow these in full sun?: They prefer partial to full shade and will likely scorch in direct, hot sun.
Why are my plants wilting?: They are very thirsty plants and will droop immediately if the soil is not kept consistently moist.

Where the name comes from

The name walleriana honors Horace Waller, an English missionary who collected plants in Africa. The genus name refers to the explosive seed dispersal mechanism.

Good to know

The name Impatiens comes from the Latin word for impatient, referring to the way seed pods burst when touched.
They are one of the most popular bedding plants in the world.
They prefer consistent moisture and will wilt quickly if they dry out.

Also in

Keep your busy lizzie growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.