Impatiens

Impatiens walleriana

Also known as: Buzzy Lizzy, Balsam, Sultana

Impatiens is a flower in the Balsaminaceae family. It grows best in part shade with medium moisture, and is listed for USDA zones 2-13. Plants reach maturity about 70–77 days after planting and sit about 6 inches apart.

Varieties

1 from True Leaf Market · sorted by days to maturity

▸Accent Series70–77 days
Non-GMO; Container; Annual
70-77 Days to maturity. Impatiens walleriana. Accent Series Impatiens Seeds. Non-GMO, hybrid, annual. Premium Quality Seeds. Accent Series seeds deliver the country's most popularly grown and undisputed summertime bloom. Impatiens are among the most popular bloom among greenhouses and home gardeners alike. These impatiens promise your home or garden classic seasonal flowers in numerous colors. Accent Series impatiens grow a convenient dwarf mound, ideal to show off on porches and window sills or to liven up the shade flower bed.
View on True Leaf Market ↗

Family

Balsaminaceae

Plant spacing

4 plants per square foot

In a square-foot bed, space impatiens about 6 in apart — that fits 4 plants in each 1-foot square (2×2). Wider rows or containers space the same.

Water

Medium

Plan your impatiens planting

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At a glance

Days to harvest

70–77 days

From transplant or sow to first harvest

Harvest style

Harvest once

One main harvest

After harvest

Use within days

Quality eases off after peak

Frost tolerance

Tender · to ~32°F

Lowest temperature the foliage usually survives

Germination

~65%

Typical minimum germination rate

Growing timeline

Start impatiens indoors ~10 weeks before transplanting 1 week after last frost; first harvest 11 weeks after last frost.

Seed to transplant

56-70 days

Outdoor planting

7 to 14 days vs frost

Propagation

Seed

Schedule anchor

Last Frost

Care & troubleshooting— extension-sourced, with citations

Something looks wrong?

Describe what you see on your impatiensand we'll rank the likely causes — most likely first, least-invasive fix first.

Impatiens downy mildew

Diseasesevere

Symptoms: pale, stippled or yellowing leaves that curl downward; fine white downy growth on leaf undersides; sudden leaf and flower drop leaving bare stems; whole beds collapse in cool, wet, humid spells

CulturalRemove and bag collapsing plantsstrong evidence — extension confidence
This disease can strip a bed of common impatiens fast. Pull and bag affected plants (don't compost); spores can persist in soil, so avoid replanting Impatiens walleriana in the same spot.
Source: UMass Extension; Univ. of Maryland Extension
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CulturalSwitch to resistant typesstrong evidence — extension confidence
Replant with downy-mildew-resistant New Guinea impatiens or interspecific types (e.g. SunPatiens), or another shade annual, and improve airflow and drying to lower humidity.
Source: UMass Extension
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Spider mites

Pestmoderate

Symptoms: fine pale stippling/speckling on leaves; fine webbing on undersides in hot dry spells; leaves bronzing and dropping

CulturalHose down and raise humidity· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Mites thrive in hot, dry, dusty conditions. Spray foliage (especially undersides) with water to dislodge them and reduce dust.
Source: UC IPM
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OrganicInsecticidal soap or horticultural oil - label use only· every 5 days · ~2 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
Apply to undersides per label; mites resist many products, so soaps/oils are preferred. Not in extreme heat.
Always follow the product label — it is the law.
Source: UC IPM
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Aphids

Pestlow

Symptoms: clusters of tiny soft-bodied insects on new growth and undersides; sticky honeydew or sooty mold; curled distorted new leaves; ants tending them

CulturalBlast off with water· every 3 days · ~2 wksstrong evidence — extension confidence
Knock colonies off with a strong jet of water in the morning; repeat every few days. Light infestations rarely need more.
Source: UC IPM: Aphids
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OrganicInsecticidal soap - label use only· every 1 wk · ~3 wksmoderate evidence — extension confidence
For persistent colonies apply insecticidal soap to undersides per label. Avoid open flowers.
Always follow the product label — it is the law.
Source: UC IPM
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