Impatiens (also known as busy Lizzy) are beautiful houseplants that are easy to take care of. They look great indoors or out, and they require little maintenance. But like other houseplants, they should never go without attention. Watering is the single most important thing you can do to ensure that impatiens thrive.
The amount of water they need depends on their size and type, but generally speaking, they need 2 inches of water weekly. Keep them well fed, and provide good airflow around them. Mist regularly, especially during dry spells. And don’t forget to prune them back once every year. Read on to find out more about impatiens and its care guide-
Types of impatiens
Impatiens are a genus of flowering plants in the family Balsaminaceae. They are commonly known as balsam or jewelweed and have been used for medicinal purposes since ancient times. The name “impatiens” derives from the Latin word “to be impatient”.
There are more than a thousand different types of impatiens. Most gardeners know about the standard variety, but many others are just as popular and easy to grow. If you want to try something unusual, here are some of our favourites:
1. New Guinea Impatiens
New Guinea impatiens are very drought-tolerant plants that require little care. They are native to Papua New Guinea and Australia and are often used as ground cover. You can find several varieties of New Guinea impatiens at local nurseries.
2. Impatiens balsamina
This beautiful plant is known as Balsam Impatiens, although it isn’t related to true Balsams. The flowers look like tiny pink roses and bloom throughout the summer.
3. Impatiens parviflora
This dwarf form of the common garden impatiens is perfect for small spaces. Its long stems make it great for hanging baskets.
4. Impatiens morsel
It belongs to the family Balsaminaceae and is a flowering plant. Guangxi is its only endemic location in China.
Depending on how far it grows, it can reach a height of almost a meter, with succulent, purple stems. Various colors of flowers, including white, pink, and purple, are produced.
Things to keep in mind while planting impatiens
1. planting area
A shady or semi-shady location is best for growing impatiens. Make sure the soil is moist and well drained. Late spring is the best time to plant when the soil reaches 60 degrees Fahrenheit.
The plants will languish in cold soil, so be sure to plant them 10 to 12 inches apart.1 If the soil is too cold, the plants will not be able to grow for the entire season. Plant the stems and pinch them back to promote bushier growth once they’re established.
If you want to plant impatiens in the pots, then
It does not matter what kind of pot you use; impatiens can grow happily in almost any pot if it has good drainage. Plants generally fit into pots that are 3-4 inches in diameter.
When mixed with shade-loving plants, impatiens make a great filler plant, especially the New Guinea variety. Ensure the potting mix is commercially available. Plants grown in containers require more frequent fertilization and watering.
2. soil
Impatiens are one of the easiest plants to grow. They do best in full sun and average temperatures above 60 degrees Fahrenheit. If you live in a colder climate, start seeds indoors about six weeks prior to planting outside.
You want to plant seeds immediately after the weather warms up. Impatiens are hardy perennials that thrive in most soils. Soil should drain well because impatiens love lots of water.
3. light
Impatiens are one of the most popular annual bedding plants, but they don’t do well indoors without some sunlight. They prefer bright light, especially during the day, and grow best in temperatures around 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
If you want to grow impatiens inside, start seeds in flats about four weeks before your area’s average last frost date. Plant seedlings into individual pots when they reach 3 inches tall and transplant them outdoors once the weather warms up.
4. Humidity and temperature
Impatiens are quite sensitive plants. When temperatures rise above 80 degrees F, impatiens begin to wilt. They don’t like it when humidity levels go up, either. These conditions cause leaves to droop and die off.
But just because you see brown spots doesn’t mean you’re dealing with a serious problem. Your plants still have plenty of life left in them. Just give them some TLC and watch them perk back up.
5. Fertilizer
Cut the stems of impatiens back to about 3 to 4 inches after they begin to look spindly during midsummer. Pinching the plant promotes new growth until the end of the blooming season, removing unattractive foliage.
The impatiens in a flower bed should be fertilized every month with a water-soluble all-purpose fertilizer. When planting, you can also add a timed-release fertilizer to the soil.
Impatiens in containers should be fertilized every two weeks with a water-soluble fertilizer. Following the recommendations of the manufacturer, apply fertilizer.
So now the real question is, How Often To Water Impatiens?
Impatiens plants should be watered according to many different factors. Here are some key things to keep in mind:
1. Impatiens Plants vs Potted Plants
Impatiens plants are usually grown in pots because they don’t require much space. They’re easy to grow and maintain and very forgiving about poor growing conditions. However, if you’ve got a potted impatiens plant, you’ll want to make sure to water it regularly.
If you forget to water it for too long, the roots could dry out and die. Impatiens grown in pots will need regular watering since they dry out quickly. If the temperature rises to 70 degrees or 80 degrees, you might need to water the plants more frequently.
2. Soil Moisture Levels
If your impatiens plant isn’t getting enough light, it won’t absorb moisture well. This means that the soil won’t hold onto the water if it isn’t moist. Your impatiens plant will look thirsty and wilted even though it might not actually be dehydrated.
You can tell whether or not the soil needs watering by checking the top half inch of the soil. If it’s completely dry, give the plant some water.
3. Weather Conditions
The temperature and humidity outside affect the amount of water your impatiens need. In general, impatiens plants prefer warmer temperatures and a humid environment.
A hot summer day without rain is perfect for keeping your impatiens alive and healthy. Conversely, cold winter days with high winds and low humidity can kill off your impatiens.
How to know if impatiens plants need water or not?
Ensure that the top half-inch of soil is moist before watering your New Guinea impatiens. If the impatiens are dry, give them some water.
Water impatiens only if the top half-inch remains damp or moist.
watering tips for impatiens
If you are growing impatiens indoors or outdoors, it is important to know how to properly care for them. They do well in warm weather, so make sure you give them plenty of sunlight.
You can use a timer to set your plants’ daily hours of light exposure. If you live in a cold climate, you may want to consider planting outside during summer.
The best way to water impatiens is to pour water over the leaves, keeping the foliage slightly wet rather than saturating the entire potting mix.
When watering indoor plants, use a spray bottle filled with water and mist the leaves lightly. To prevent disease, don’t let the soil dry out completely. A little moisture goes a long way.
When caring for outdoor plants, water once per week during the spring and fall and twice weekly during the summer. Be careful not to overwater your plants; too much water causes roots to rot. Check the soil often to see what level of moisture is present.
Best Time To Water Impatiens
Watering Impatiens is best done in the morning. When you soak the plant early in the morning, the roots have ample time to absorb the water, and the plant is more likely to survive the afternoon heat.
Summer is when impatiens are most vulnerable to high temperatures, so watering them in the morning helps protect them from the heat. In the case of a dehydrated plant, water it as soon as possible, regardless of the time of day.
Frequently Asked Questions [FAQs]
1. What Are Impatiens?
Using impatiens in beds, borders, and planters is common because they are flowering plants.
2. What steps should I take to prevent the plant from developing fungal infections?
Watering the soil and keeping the plant dry whenever possible reduces the risk of these conditions.
3. Can the plant dry out?
Keep an eye on the plant to ensure the water drains but doesn’t dry out.
4. How can I maintain the health of my plant?
Feel the soil and water when the soil is just barely damp.
5. Can you overwater Impatiens?
Yes, it is possible to overwater Impatiens.
Conclusion
I hope this guide has given you enough idea of impatiens proper watering seasons. So, now don’t wait any longer. Start growing the impatiens right now. You can also check how long to water a lawn.
