← Plant Guides

How to Grow Impatiens (Busy Lizzie)

Impatiens (Busy Lizzie)

Impatiens walleriana

flower

Impatiens walleriana is a tender annual or short-lived perennial known for its prolific, colorful flowers that bloom continuously in shaded conditions. Pink varieties produce delicate, flat flowers with a distinctive spur in shades ranging from pale blush to deep magenta. These compact, bushy plants are ideal for shade gardens, containers, and indoor cultivation.

Looking for a specific variety?

Super Elfin Pink Paradise Pink Accent Pink SunPatiens Compact Pink Butterfly Pink Mega Pink

When should you plant Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) timeline →

Example Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Impatiens (Busy Lizzie)

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. First Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) blooms

    Around Jun 1

    ≈ 45 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Partial shade to full shade; tolerates 2-6 hours of indirect sunlight daily. Performs best with dappled or afternoon shade in warmer climates.
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. Water when top 1/2 inch of soil is dry. Requires more frequent watering in hot weather and containers. Avoid wetting foliage to prevent fungal diseases.
📏
Spacing: 8-12 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 45-60 days from transplant to flowering
🌱
Planting depth: Do not cover seeds; sow on soil surface under light. Transplants should be planted at same depth as container.

Soil

Type: Rich, well-draining loamy soil with high organic matter content
pH: 6.0-6.5
Amendments:
Compost Peat moss or coco coir Perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives as an annual in zones 2-11; overwinters as perennial in zones 10-11

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Sign up free to see if Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Seedling

1-2 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons followed by first true leaves. Stems are delicate and pale green.

Maintain consistently moist (not wet) soil. Provide bright, indirect light. Keep at 70-75°F. Do not cover seeds as they require light to germinate.

2

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems, increasing in height and bushiness. Leaves are soft, lush green, and opposite. No flowers yet.

Pinch growing tips when 2-3 inches tall to encourage branching. Maintain warm temperatures (65-75°F), consistent moisture, and high humidity. Provide bright shade.

3

Budding

1-2 weeks

Small flower buds form in leaf axils along stems. Buds are visible but not yet fully developed.

Continue regular watering and maintain warmth. Begin light feeding with diluted balanced or bloom-promoting fertilizer every 2-3 weeks.

4

Flowering

6-14 weeks (continuous until frost or natural decline)

Abundant pink flowers bloom continuously along stems. Flowers are flat-faced with five petals and a backward-projecting spur. Plant becomes mounded and heavily laden with blooms.

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Water regularly as flowering increases demand. Feed every 2-3 weeks with diluted balanced fertilizer or bloom formula. Maintain temperatures between 60-75°F.

5

Decline/End of Season

Variable; until first frost or plant senescence

As temperatures drop or days shorten, flowering slows. Plant may become leggy. Foliage may yellow or show stress.

In frost-prone zones, plant will die at first frost. In zones 10-11, prune back heavily to rejuvenate for next season. Cease fertilizing.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Begonias Ferns Hostas Astilbe Coral bells Impatiens (other colors) Caladiums Torenia

Avoid planting near:

Full sun perennials Drought-tolerant plants Plants requiring dry conditions

Common Pests

  • Increase humidity through misting; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap weekly. Avoid overhead watering that wets foliage.

  • Use yellow sticky traps; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7 days. Isolate affected plants.

  • Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swab; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap every 10 days.

  • Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings; use sticky traps; apply sand mulch on soil surface.

  • Improve air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; spray with sulfur or fungicide if severe. Remove affected leaves.

Uses

🍳

Edible Flowers for Salads & Garnish

Culinary

Impatiens flowers are edible with a slightly sweet, delicate flavor and are safe for consumption. They make beautiful garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages. [source]

🏠

Shade Gardening & Container Display

Household

Impatiens are among the best flowering plants for shaded areas, thriving in conditions where many others fail. Their constant blooms make them ideal for shaded patios, windowsills, hanging baskets, and as mass plantings under trees. [source]

🎨

Cut Flowers & Floral Arrangements

Craft

Pink impatiens stems make delicate additions to fresh floral arrangements and last several days in water. Their soft colors work well in pastel-themed designs and wedding arrangements. [source]

💊

Traditional Herbal Uses

Medicinal

In traditional medicine, particularly in African cultures, impatiens have been used to treat skin conditions and minor wounds, though scientific evidence is limited. The plant's antimicrobial properties have been documented in some studies. [source]

🦋

Pollinator-Friendly Nectar Source

Wildlife

Impatiens flowers attract hummingbirds and various bee species, making them valuable for wildlife gardens. Their abundant nectar production supports pollinators throughout the growing season. [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Impatiens are grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Deadhead spent blooms regularly by pinching off below the flower base to promote continuous flowering throughout the season. Cut stems can be used in floral arrangements and will root in water for propagation.

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 The name 'Impatiens' refers to the plant's seed pods, which explosively release seeds when ripe and touched—a mechanism called 'explosive dehiscence' that can scatter seeds up to 6 feet away.
  • 🌱 Impatiens walleriana is native to East Africa (Tanzania, Mozambique) and was introduced to Victorian England in the 1880s, where it became extremely popular as a houseplant due to its shade tolerance and prolific flowering.
  • 🌱 Pink varieties were among the first color mutations developed, and modern breeding has produced an extraordinary range of pink shades from pale ballet-slipper tones to vibrant hot pink, including bi-colors and picotee patterns.

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Deadhead Partial Shade Perennial True Leaves
Shop Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Impatiens (Busy Lizzie) timeline →