Busy Lizzie (or impatiens) is a tender, long-lasting plant that flowers continuously through the summer and fall and sometimes right up to the frosts.
The impatiens are adaptable, compact-growing plants that can be grown in any container or within borders.
They can flower in vivid colors such as red, pink, orange, purple, and even white. They are mostly single-flowered, but some varieties can be double-flowered.
Busy Lizzie is known by several common names, including:
- Impatiens
- Tom Thumb
- Touch-me-not
- Jewelweed
Quick Facts On Impatiens
- Family: Balsaminaceae
- Light: Semi-Shade to shade
- Temperature: 60F +
- Water: Daily or twice daily if potted
- Fertilizer: 13-13-13 or 10-10-10 blend
- Propagation: Cuttings, seeds
- Common Problems: Gray mold, aphids
Busy Lizzie Impatiens Care
How Big Do Impatiens Grow?
Impatiens plants can grow from between 6″ and 30″ inches tall.
Of course, the closer you plant these wonderful flowering plants to each other, the taller they will grow, so space appropriately.
When Do Busy Lizzies Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Busy Lizzies are compact with a 20 to 30 cm height and a spread of between 20-30 cm.
The ‘Accent Mixed” series comes in various colors, from white and soft pink to red, purple, and bicolors.
New Guinea impatiens grow taller and broader than their counterparts in other countries.
They have bold contrasting foliage and large blooms, which can be single or double.
The ‘Divine” variety offers a striking red, pink, and violet color mixture.
The ‘Sunpatiens’ varieties are vigorous and free-flowering and come in diverse colors.
The ‘Wild Romance series features rosebud-like double flowers that are pinkish, with large dark green leaves.
What Are the Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
You can buy Busy Lizzies as plug plants and young plants in spring.
Although plug plants are more economical, you will need to grow them under controlled conditions before planting them out.
Busy Lizzies are tender and can’t tolerate frost, so plant them after the risk of frost has passed.
They will grow well on a sunny windowsill or in a heated greenhouse until then.
How And When To Water And Fertilize Impatiens?
Pot-grown impatiens should be watered regularly to ensure that the compost remains evenly moist but not dry.
Here’s what to do:
- Apply a liquid fertilizer rich in potash once a week starting mid-summer.
- Remove yellowing or faded leaves and flowers once a week to keep your plants healthy and prevent gray mold (a fungal disease).
- To encourage compact, bushy growth, trim any straggly shoots.
What Is The Best Soil For Impatiens And When Should You Transplant?
For pots, use multi-purpose, peat-free compost. You can also improve the border soil by adding garden compost or soil conditioner.
If pots are placed on a hard surface, elevate them so that any excess water can drain away.
Do Busy Lizzies Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Remember to water your impatiens plants regularly.
They should be kept moist but not too dry. They will soon lose their leaves if they dry out.
Over-watering the plants can lead to fungal diseases.
How To Propagate Impatiens Busy Lizzie?
Many people buy new impatiens plants every year. However, it is much more cost-effective to grow impatiens from seed.
Instead of buying seeds for impatiens, you can use seeds from the previous year.
You should sow your seeds indoors 6 to 8 weeks before the last frost in your area.
It is important to acclimate the young plants to outdoor conditions before planting.
You can do so by doing the following:
- First, place them outdoors in a protected place, preferably in a light shade.
- Then, gradually increase the amount they get over several days.
- Water is also an option for impatiens rooting. This method is effective in allowing impatiens cuttings to root quickly.
- Just remove the lower leaves and place the cuttings into a glass of water.
- Place them in bright, indirect sunlight on a windowsill or a sunny wall.
- To keep the water fresh and clean, change the water every day or every other day.
- After the impatien’s roots have been established, the impatiens cuttings can then be moved to another permanent place.
Impatiens Pests And Diseases
Impatiens can be relatively trouble-free when provided with the right conditions and care.
However, aphids can occur on young shoots. To prevent them from becoming established, inspect the plants frequently and hand-squish any infestations.
Slugs and snails are also a problem. They can eat young stems and make holes in the leaves.
These pests are less likely to attack plants in pots than those in the ground. Use an environmentally friendly bait or surround plants with absorbent barriers.
Avoid gray mold (botrytis) by regularly picking up dead flowers and leaves.
Non-resistant Impatiens walleriana can be affected by downy mildew. Before the leaves turn yellow, a satisfactory white growth might be visible under the leaves.
There is no treatment, and affected plants should be removed and disposed of.
Are Impatiens Considered Toxic Or Poisonous To People, Kids, And Pets?
This is a very safe plant and is considered to be non-toxic to both animals and humans.
Is The Busy Lizzie Considered Invasive?
The impatiens glandulifera or Himalayan balsam is a relative of the Budy Lizzie that has proven to be quite invasive in the UK and other regions.
This variety should only be grown as a container plant and not allowed to establish in the wild.
Suggested Impatiens Uses
North American impatiens are sometimes used as herbal remedies for treating bee stings, insect bites, and rashes from stinging nettles.
They are also used to treat poison ivy contact to prevent a rash.