Impatiens

( im - PAY - shens )

At-A-Glance Information

Also commonly called Balsam, Busy Lizzie, or Touch-Me-Not, this genus of perennial and annual flowering plants need regular water, and have varying light needs depending on the species grown. They are known best for providing bright colors to shaded areas of the garden, and many bloom through the entire summer season. Seed capsules that form after flowers fade are known to burst open, sending seeds out to grow the next season. Use these flowers to add color to mixed beds and containers, and to edge lawn areas or other floral displays. Take care when planting Impatiens in the garden, as plant parts are toxic to humans and pets.

Impatiens Species and Varietals

The genus Impatiens includes over 1,000 species and is the type member of the plant family Balsaminaceae. The genus name is derived from the Latin word for impatient (impatiens). Impatiens growing zones vary depending on the species; for more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Impatiens arguta (Toothed Busy Lizzie)
These plants produce delicate lavender-blue or pink flowers and deeply veined slightly toothed leaves. Foliage is greenish-blue and stems and leaves are succulent and fleshy. These are native to Bhutan, Nepal, Myanmar, India, and China, and are widely cultivated as ornamentals around the world. Hardy to -10 degrees Fahrenheit. These plants can become evergreen in mild climates, and prefer to grow in moist forest understories.

Impatiens aurella (Idaho Jewelweed, Mountain Jewelweed, Varied Jewelweed, Pale Yellow Touch-Me-Not)
Native to northwestern North America, these plants produce yellow-orange flowers in June through September. These annual herbaceous plants reach a little over 3 feet tall when in bloom. 

Impatiens auricoma 'Jungle Gold'
This species is a perennial and grows in zones 24, H1 and H2. It can be grown as an annual in all other zones. It is an African native with a bushy habit, with bright green leaves and orchid-shaped golden blooms with red-marked throats. This species needs shade and regular fertilizing for best performance. They will bloom over a long summer season, and are great for containers.

Impatiens balfourii (Balfour's Touch-Me-Not, Kashmir Balsam, Poor Man's Orchid)
This is an annual plant that grows well in any zone and is native to the Himalayas. Gets to 20 inches tall and just as wide, producing loose clusters of pink-tinted white flowers. Can become a pest through reseeding. Great for shady, informal areas of the garden.

Impatiens balsamina (Balsam, Garden Balsam, Rose Balsam, Touch-Me-Not, Spotted Snapweed)
This species of Impatiens is an annual from southeast Asia that will grow well in all zones. It has an erect, branching habit and reaches 8-30 inches tall and 6-8 inches wide, producing flowers on the main stem and branches. Leaves are toothed, and flowers can be solid or variegated. Blooms are available in pink, rose, lilac and red. There are double-flowering varieties whose blooms resemble Camellia. Requires full sun, but needs some light shade in the warmest climates.

Impatiens capensis (Orange jewelweed, Common Jewelweed, Spotted Jewelweed, Orange Balsam, Spotted Touch-Me-Not)
This annual species is native to North America, where it thrives in ditches and along creekbeds. These plants branch extensively, have green foliage, and non-showy orange to yellow-orange flowers in spring and summertime.

Imaptiens dendricola (Tree-Dwelling Balsam)
Native to India's Western Ghats mountain range, these plants reach about 20 inches tall, and produce white flowers. Foliage and stems are green. These plants are epiphytic, growing on other plants for support and anchorage.

Impatiens irvingii
This species is native to tropical Africa, and plants have a somewhat drooping habit. Leaves are green, waxy on upper surfaces and silvery on the undersides. Flowers are light purple, and are produced in leaf axils. 

Impatiens kinabaluensis (Kinabalu Balsam)
This species reaches up to 35 inches tall and produces long, rigid stems. Leaves are dark green, ribbed and shiny. Flowers are pink to lilac in color and bloom from April through November.

​Impatiens namchabarwensis (Blue Diamond Impatiens)
This perennial plant grows best in zones 4-9 and 14-24 and reaches 16-20 inches tall and wide. Flowers are a deep, dark pure blue. This species requires partial to full shade.

Impatiens New Guinea Hybrids
These plants are perennials that are best when grown in zones 24, H1 and H2, but are grown commonly as annuals in all other zones. These are native to New Guinea and take a variety of shapes and habits. Leaves are relatively large, and flowers are large as well, but not profuse. Blooms are available in red, lavender, purple, pink, orange and white. These need ample fertilizer, and can be grown in containers or in the ground. Commonly sold varieties include those in the Celebration, ColorPower, and Infinity strains. The SunPatiens strain was bred to grow in full sun conditions. Plants will reach around 2-4 feet tall and wide.

​Impatiens niamniamensis (Parrot Impatiens, Congo Cockatoo, Parrot Plant)
This perennial grows best in zones 23, 24, H1 and H2 and as an annual in other zones. It is native to tropical Africa, and reaches 2 feet tall. Flowers appear under the leaves, and this species requires some shade to thrive. Varietals include 'African Princess' (red and cream flowers), and 'Congo Cockatoo' (with orange-red and yellow flowers).

Impatiens pallida (Pale Jewelweed, Pale Touch-Me-Not, Yellow Jewelweed)
This species is native to Canada and the United States, and produces flowers from the middle of summer through fall. Blooms are yellow, and foliage is green and serrated. These plants grow naturally in moist deciduous woodlands and in wet thickets.

Impatiens parviflora (Small Balsam, Small-Flowered Touch-Me-Not)
This species is native to moist, shaded places in Eurasia, and can grow in sandy, loamy or clay soils. Leaves and seeds are eaten in the plant's native range, and other parts of the plant are used in traditional medicine,

Impatiens pseudoviola (Jewelweed, Touch-Me-Not)
These plants are native to Kenya and Tanzania, and produce plant tat reach up to about 5 inches tall when mature. Flowers are bright pink and bloom in summer and fall. Leaves are ovate and green. 

Impatiens psittacina (Parrot Flower, Parrot Balsam)
This species is rare in cultivation, and produces beautiful flowers in red, pink and white that resemble a flying cockatoo. Counterfeit seeds are frequently sold online; the export of any plant parts is banned from their native range.

Impatiens repens (Ceylon Balsam, Yellow Impatiens, Creeping Balsam)
These plants are evergreen perennials that have a low-growing, creeping habit. It reaches 20 inches tall and wide, and is commonly cultivated as an ornamental plant in home landscapes. Flowers are bright yellow and bloom in spring and summer.

Impatiens serusiauxii
Native to Madagascar, this species was first formally described in 2020. This is a rare species, known from only one location in a cloud forest. Flowers are white and semi-ruffled, with red to magenta spots towards the center.

​Impatiens sodenii (Impatiens oliveri) (Poor Man's Rhododendron, Oliver's Touch-Me-Not, Shrub Balsam)
This perennial species of Impatiens grows best in zones 15-17 and 21-24, and as an indoor/outdoor container plant elsewhere. It is native to the tropical regions of eastern Africa, and gets 4-8 feet tall and 10 feet wide. It has a woody base from which stems with whorled leaves grow. Profuse bloom of lilac, pale lavender, pink or white flowers bloom. Great for coastal gardens. Frost kills the plant to the ground, but it will bounce back in spring. Can take partial or deep shade and some sun in cooler-summer regions. Varieties include 'Madonna' ('Full Moon'/'Alba', with white flowers), and 'Flash' (white flowers that are streaked with magenta).

Impatiens stenantha (Narrow-Flowered Balsam)
These plants are native to Tibet, Yunnan, Nepal, Assam, and Myanmar. These plants can be annuals or perennials, depending on the climate in which they are grown. Flowers are yellow and shaped somewhat like those of Orchid species. Leaves are dull green and have red-purple margins and veining. They naturally grow in understory environments, and are sometimes available from garden suppliers and nurseries in the United States.

Impatiens tinctoria (Dyers Busy Lizzie)
This species is native to tropical areas of Africa, and produces a plant that reaches over six and a half feet tall. Flowers are white and have deep crimson splashes towards their centers. Each flower has a curved red spur at the back. These plants are hardy to 23 degrees Fahrenheit.
Impatiens walleriana (Busy Lizzie)
This perennial grows best in zones 17, 24, H1 and H2 but can be used as an annual plant in all other zones. Native to eastern Africa, these vigorous growers reach 2 feet tall (dwarf forms reach only 6-12 inches) and have dark green leaves. Flowers come in most colors except yellow and true blue. These plants need partial to full shade, and bloom all summer. Popular varieties are outlined here.
'Accent'
10 inches tall and has a variety of colors to choose from.
'Blitz'
16 inches tall with either mixed or single colors.
'Dazzler'
This strain gets to 11 inches tall and has all colors. There is a star-like pattern on the flowers.
 'Victorian Rose'
A classic, semidouble-bloom variety with rose-pink flowers.
'Stardust'
Gets 12-14 inches tall and has a central white star on the flowers, which are also dusted with white.
'Super Elfin'
8-10 inches tall with flowers in a wide range of colors. Flowers come in blended colors as well. 'Blue Pearl' (pictured above) has blue-lilac blooms.
'Swirl'
Flowers in this variety come in pastel colors, edged with deeper colors and the plants get to about 10-12 inches tall. 
'Fiesta' Strain
Double-blooming strain.
'Rockapulco' Strain
Double-blooming strain.
'Tioga' Strain
Double-blooming strain.

Caring for Impatiens

Impatiens are typically purchased as starts from nurseries, but can also be grown from seed or planted via divisions of an existing Impatiens plant in the landscape. Install these classic ornamentals in a space in the landscape that receives partial sun to shade. They prefer to be situated in well-draining soil that is moderately fertile and that has a pH of between 6.0 and 6.5 (slightly acidic).  If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Mulch around the base of plants to increase soil moisture retention, suppress weed growth, and to maintain consistent soil temperatures. Water new plantings regularly to help them establish a strong root system. They need regular waterings (about two inches of water per week) when mature. When growing Impatiens in window boxes, containers, or hanging baskets, make sure to irrigate daily, especially if temperatures rise above 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with a application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Prune off dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time to improve appearance. Spent flowers typically are shed on their own, but they can also be pinched or pruned off of the plant for a neater look. Annual species of Impatiens are dug up and tossed at the end of the growing season. Perennial species can be left in the ground, and cut back in early springtime to improve structure and encourage vigorous growth and blooming.

Propagation

Impatiens can be propagated either through division, by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting or division method. If you would like to experiment and see what plant you can grow from seed, just keep in mind that it will not necessarily be the same as the parent plant. To propagate your Impatiens flowers, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Impatiens by Cutting
  1. Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) peat moss and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
  2. In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 3-4 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
  3. Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots. 
  4. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new flowers.

Propagating Impatiens by Seed
  1. Keep in mind that the plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. To propagate by seed, you will need a paper bag, a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) peat moss and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows. 
  2. Harvest your seeds. The seed pods are pretty easy to spot, they're left behind after flowers have faded. Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Cut them off of the plant, placing them in a paper bag. Harvest as many as you can, and place the paper bag in a dry, cool, dark area. They will begin to split open and release the seeds contained inside. Once they have been released, take them out of the bag and put them in a container so you can work with them.
  3. Water your prepared seed tray or pot filled with soil, and ensure that good drainage is occurring. Place your seeds in your prepared pot or seed tray about a quarter inch to a half-inch under the soil surface. Cover them with soil and water with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 7-14 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
  4. Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring (after the danger of frost has passed), when you can transplant it to its new home.
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Propagating Impatiens by Division
This type of propagation is relatively simple; you will need a clean shovel, mulch, fresh soil (any kind will do, though it does need to be well-draining), compost, and pots (only necessary if you will be saving divided plants for transporting elsewhere). Division is best done in spring or fall (after the plant has entered dormancy and been cut to the ground, but before it has begun its new spring growth), and needs to be done every four to five years regardless of whether you have the goal of propagating the plants for best performance. To propagate by division, follow these steps:
  1. Dawn your protective gear and gather your materials. Using a shovel, dig up your existing plant. Start from the outside and work your way in to avoid damaging the tuber roots. Once you have worked it up out of the ground, lay it out.
  2. Start to tease apart the roots with your gloved fingers. Once the roots are untangled, separate your plant into segments, ensuring that each one has at least one thick tuberous section.
  3. Prepare your pot(s) or new planting site(s) with amended, well-draining soil. You can either bring in new soil or simply amend your existing soil with compost to complete this task. Then, plant your divided tubers about an inch under the soil surface and water thoroughly.
Impatiens seed pods hold multiple brown seeds.
Impatiens seeds are small and brown.

Problems and Pests

Impatiens plants can suffer from the following pest and disease issues in the landscape:
  • Spider Mites
  • Mealybugs
  • Aphids
  • Thrips
  • Slugs and Snails
  • Cutworms
  • Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus
For more information on these diseases and pests, including how to treat and manage them, see the following links:
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Gallery

Impatiens can be grown either in containers or in the ground.
These flowers are popular annual shady bed flowers.
This raised planter features Cordyline surrounded by Impatiens and Calibrachoa.

Videos

How to grow impatiens from seed.
Learn about different species of Impatiens.

Resources

How to Grow and Care for Impatiens
Impatiens: How to Grow and Care with Success
Wikipedia: List of Impatiens Species
Wikipedia: Impatiens
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Pages 373 - 374, Impatiens
If you have any questions, comments, concerns, or photos you’d like to add to the gallery, please let me know by sending me a message using the button below!
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