How to care for impatiens
How to care for impatiens. Whether you’re creating a cozy outdoor retreat or brightening up a shaded corner, impatiens can bring. How to care for Impatiens on a patio. Impatiens are one of the most popular patio flowers thanks to their vibrant colors, lush foliage, and ability to thrive in containers life and color to your patio all season long.
1. Choosing the Right Containers
- Size: Use medium to large pots so roots have room to grow. Shallow pots dry out too quickly in hot Southwest climates.
- Material: Clay and ceramic pots provide stability and a decorative touch, while lightweight resin pots are easier to move.
- Drainage: Always select containers with good drainage holes—impatiens dislike soggy soil.
Types of Pots for indoor plants
2. Light Requirements
- Impatiens prefer filtered shade or partial sun.
- Morning sun with afternoon shade is ideal, especially on a hot Southwest patio.
- Too much direct sunlight can scorch their leaves and reduce blooming.
3. Soil & Planting
- Use a well-draining potting mix enriched with compost.
- Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged.
- Add mulch or decorative pebbles on top of the soil to help retain moisture.
4. Watering Tips
- Impatiens need regular watering, especially in patio containers where the soil dries out quickly.
- Water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
- During extreme summer heat, daily watering may be necessary.
5. Feeding for Blooms
- Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2–3 weeks.
- Too much nitrogen will encourage leafy growth but fewer flowers, so use a balanced or bloom-boosting formula.
6. Maintenance & Care
- Deadhead spent blooms to encourage more flowers.
- Pinch back leggy stems to promote bushier growth.
- Watch for common pests like aphids or spider mites; treat with neem oil or insecticidal soap if needed.
7. Seasonal Care
- Impatiens are annuals in most of the Southwest, so they’ll last one season outdoors.
- To extend their beauty, replant fresh impatiens each spring after the last frost.
🌿 Main Types of Impatiens
1. Impatiens walleriana (Common Impatiens)
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Also called Busy Lizzie or Sultana.
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Most popular type for shade-loving containers.
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Blooms in many colors — red, pink, white, lavender, coral, and orange.
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Best for partial to full shade patios.
Popular Varieties:
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‘Accent Series’
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‘Super Elfin Series’
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‘Dazzler Series’
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‘Fiesta Double Impatiens’ (rose-like blooms)
2. New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)
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Larger flowers and leaves than common impatiens.
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Tolerate more sun and heat—ideal for Southwest patios with morning or filtered sun.
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Available in vibrant colors with glossy foliage.
Popular Varieties:
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‘SunPatiens Compact Series’
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‘Celebration Series’
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‘Divine Series’
3. SunPatiens (Hybrid of I. hawkeri)
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A newer hybrid that thrives in full sun to partial shade.
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Perfect for hotter climates like Las Cruces and El Paso.
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Low maintenance and disease-resistant.
Popular Varieties:
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‘Compact Deep Rose’
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‘Vigorous Orange’
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‘Spreading Shell Pink’
4. Double Impatiens
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Have rose-like, double-petaled blooms.
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Excellent for hanging baskets and shaded patios.
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Prefer moist, rich soil and dappled light.
Popular Varieties:
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‘Rockapulco Coral Reef’
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‘Fiesta Ole Purple Stripe’
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‘Rockapulco Appleblossom’
5. Balsam Impatiens (Impatiens balsamina)
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Old-fashioned garden variety; upright and taller.
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Great for garden beds rather than pots.
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Attracts pollinators and has showy, camellia-like flowers.
Popular Varieties:
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‘Camellia Flowered Mix’
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‘Tom Thumb Series’
An infographic of Impatiens
✨ Pro Tip: Mix impatiens with patio-friendly foliage plants like coleus, caladiums, or ferns for a colorful, textured container display.
Final Thought
With the right care, impatiens can transform your patio into a vibrant oasis that stays bursting with color from early spring through late fall. These shade-loving annuals thrive in spots protected from the harsh afternoon sun, making them ideal for patios, porches, or under large trees. Keep their soil evenly moist—impatiens don’t like to dry out—and water them regularly, especially during hot or windy days. A balanced, slow-release fertilizer every few weeks will encourage continuous blooms and lush green foliage. With just a little attention, you’ll have a cheerful, inviting outdoor space that’s perfect for relaxing with a morning coffee or entertaining guests on warm summer evenings.
🌸 Visit GuzmansGreenhouse.com for more Southwest gardening tips and plant care advice.
Greenhouse Manager, Master Gardener, and Webmaster.
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