How to Care for Impatiens Flowers & Plants

Impatiens pack a lot of color into shade gardens.

Impatiens' delicate-appearing flowers grace shaded areas of the garden with spring and summer color. Available in a range of colors, impatiens bloom until fall frosts kill them off. They may fade during the heat of summer, but they quickly rebound once temperatures cool down in late summer. They are not high-maintenance plants, requiring only minimal care during most of the season to thrive. Add impatiens to your garden if you have a shady area that is begging for an infusion of summer color.

Things You'll Need

• Compost
• Potting soil
• Mulch
• Fertilizer

Instructions

1. Work compost or other organic matter into the bed before planting. Apply a 2- to 3-inch layer of compost on the bed and till it into the top 6 to 8 inches of soil. Use potting soils rich in organic matter for container-grown impatiens.

2. Water impatiens once weekly or when the top 1 inch of soil begins to feel dry to the touch. Water until the top 6 inches of soil feels moist. In containers, water once daily until the excess moisture begins to drain from the bottom of the pot.

3. Mulch around bedding plants with a 2-inch layer of organic mulch, such as bark or wood chips. Mulch preserves soil moisture, keeps the roots cool and prevents weed growth.

4. Feed impatiens once monthly with a soluble 13-13-13 fertilizer or other balanced fertilizer. Follow label instructions for exact application rate for the fertilizer you are using. Fertilize container-grown impatiens every two weeks with a soluble flowering plant food.

5. Pinch back impatiens after planting to encourage full, bushy growth. Pinch off the top 1 inch of each growing stem, as this encourages lateral branching and more flowers. Pinch plants a second time in mid-summer if they become leggy or stop blooming.

Tips & Warnings

• Impatiens do not have any major disease or pest problems as long as they are kept well-watered.

• Do not allow the soil to dry out at any time. Impatiens are not drought tolerant and any moisture stress can lead to plant damage or death.

References

• Alabama Cooperative Extension: Impatiens
• Clemson Extension: Impatiens