Impatiens is a tender herbaceous plant belonging to Balsaminaceae or the balsam family. It is a genus native to northern and eastern North America, with over 1000 recognized species. It’s also widely distributed in Africa, Asia, and Europe.
The genus name came from the Latin word, referencing how the plant reseeds itself. The seed pods have an “impatient nature,” bursting open once ripe at the slightest touch. This method impatiently scatters the seeds, hence the common name Impatiens.
Impatiens plants are well-known for their brightly-colored flowers in various shades, including white, red, pink, rose, yellow, orange, salmon, violet, and lavender blue.
Other common names include:
- Busy Lizzie
- Jewelweed
- Touch-me-not plant
- Patient Lucy
- Patience
- Snapweed
- Sultana
Among the Impatiens species, the most popular and widely cultivated are:
- Impatiens balsamina (Garden Balsam)
- Impatiens capensis (Spotted Jewelweed)
- Impatiens hawkeri (New Guinea Impatiens)
- Impatiens namchabarwensis (Blue Diamond Impatiens)
- Impatiens pallida (Pale touch-me-not or Pale snapweed)
- Impatiens noli-tangere (Western touch-me-not)
- Impatiens walleriana (Busy Lizzie)
Quick Tips On Impatiens
- Family: Balsaminaceae
- Light: Filtered sun or partial shade
- Temperature: 65° to 70° degrees Fahrenheit
- Water: Water once a week; at least 2” inches
- Fertilizer: Water-soluble or slow-release fertilizer
- Propagation: Cuttings or seeds
- Common Problems: Downy mildew, aphids, mealybugs, snails, slugs, thrips, whiteflies, spider mites
Impatiens Care
Here are the different aspects you need to consider when planting Impatiens:
How Big Does The Touch-Me-Not Plant Grow?
On average, Impatiens grow from 6″ to 36″ inches tall and 1′ to 3′ feet wide. However, it typically only reaches 8″ to 12″ inches for dwarf varieties.
Touch-me-not plants are perennial plants when grown in tropical zones but are more often grown as annuals.
When Does The Touch-Me-Not Plant Flower? Are The Flowers Fragrant?
Impatiens bear brightly-colored flowers that may come in small clusters or in solitary.
The color of flowers ranges from white, red, pink, rose, yellow, orange, salmon, purple, and lavender blue.
Touch-me-not-plants have alternately arranged simple leaves, with 3 or more upper leaves borne arising in a whorl from the stem.
Their flowers are mostly single, but other species are double-flowered.
You will witness Impatiens blooming in spring or summer, producing long-lasting blooms with delicate attractive scents.
What Are The Lighting Needs And Temperature Requirements?
Impatiens plants grow best in filtered sunlight for about 2 to 4 hours but also thrive in partial shade. In heavily shaded areas, impatiens grow taller but have fewer blooms.
Touch-me-not plants are sensitive to heat. That’s why the ideal temperature should range from 65° to 70° degrees Fahrenheit.
They are also sensitive to freezing climates and will not tolerate temperatures below 32° degrees Fahrenheit.
However, Touch-me-not plants grow well in humid climates and thrive in USDA hardiness zones 10 to 11.
How And When To Water And Fertilize The Touch-Me-Not Plant?
Impatiens plants require regular watering during dry spells to keep them from wilting, as it is not drought-tolerant.
However, be careful not to overwater it because it can encourage fungal disease and cause leaves to drop.
If you see your impatiens plant looking wilted, just water it, and it will bounce back up.
Moreover, Touch-me-not plants need at least 2″ inches of water weekly when planted in the ground.
In contrast, you should water your impatiens at least 4″ inches a week when the temperature is above 80° degrees Fahrenheit.
Planting touch-me-not plants in pots or other containers require daily watering, especially during hot, dry weather or temperatures above 85° degrees Fahrenheit.
A water-soluble or slow-release fertilizer every two weeks will help impatiens bloom profusely in spring and summer.
What Is The Best Soil For Impatiens Flowers, And When Should You Transplant?
Impatiens flowers thrive in moist, well-drained soil rich in humus and organic matter.
When planted in containers, using general-purpose well-draining potting soil is recommended.
They also thrive in slightly acidic soil with a pH level ranging from 6.0 to 6.5.
When planting in flower beds, space the touch-me-not plants about 8″ to 12″ inches apart to maintain their growth low to the ground.
Do Impatiens Flowers Need Special Grooming Or Maintenance?
Deadheading Impatiens is unnecessary as they can self-clean their wilted or dead blooms.
However, you can trim them using sterile garden scissors when they start looking leggy.
Doing this will encourage blooming and enhance the plant’s appearance.
How To Propagate Busy Lizzie?
Busy Lizzie can be grown through two propagation methods:
- Seeds
- Cuttings
They can self-seed themselves, but it requires a long growing season before the seeds grow into flowering plants.
For this reason, most people propagate Busy Lizzie from cutting taken in the fall.
Here’s what you need to do when propagating Busy Lizzie from cuttings:
- Take 4″ to 6″ inches of plant shoot with a sterile, sharp cutting tool.
- Ensure the cuttings have ample leaves.
- Pinch off the set of leaves at the bottom, along with any flowers or seed pods.
- Place the cuttings in the water and keep them in a bright area without direct sunlight.
- Once you notice developed roots, plant the cuttings in a mixture of soil, perlite, vermiculite, or general-purpose potting soil.
- Keep the soil consistently moist and away from direct sunlight.
Impatiens Flowers Pests And Diseases
Impatiens flowers are generally trouble-free but may occasionally be a target of pest attacks, including:
- Aphids
- Mealybugs
- Snails or slugs
- Spider mites
- Thrips
- Whiteflies
If you notice any sign of infestation, use pesticides or horticultural oils.
Downy mildew is a well-known disease that can affect and be deadly to impatiens. This is a type of water mold caused by Plasmopara obducens, a pathogen.
For more than a decade, all commercial sales of standard impatiens stopped. It was only in 2019 that it came back when a few mildew-resistant hybrids were developed.
The best preventive measure for downy mildew is keeping the impatiens leaves watering. Providing enough air circulation between plants will also help.
However, when you notice your impatiens have contracted downy mildew, it’s best to dispose of the affected plants instead because it’s impossible to save them.
Other diseases that can be a problem to impatiens include:
- Viruses
- Fungal blights
- Rots
Uses Of Jewelweed
Jewelweed plants make excellent houseplants and container plants due to their showy brightly-colored flowers.
They also are great as summer bedding, groundcovers, and container fillers, providing long-lasting blooms in your garden.
Impatiens flowers are fairly low-maintenance, making them a great choice for shady locations while providing a burst of color.
They can also be grown in hanging baskets and window boxes. In addition, they make lovely accents for borders and cottage gardens.