Impatiens are beautiful, easy-to-grow perennials that have been grown for centuries in gardens and pots. They come in a variety of colors, including reds, yellows, greens, purples, and oranges. They are also known as “garden forts,” as their thick, succulent stems can act as a protective barrier from cold winds.

You can grow impatiens from seed, or you can plant them from a stem or a cutting. You can start them from a stem, a cutting, or a nursery plant. Here is how to care for impatiens from planting to pruning.

How to Plant Impatiens

Impatiens can be planted in pots, seed starting trays, or directly into the garden. To start them from seed, loosen the soil around the stem of the plant, then plant the seeds 4 to 6 inches deep with their roots hanging over the edge. Sow the seeds in a prepared planting area, placing 1 to 2 seeds per pot. Keep them watered and fertilized until they sprout.

To plant in a larger area, dig a hole twice as wide and twice as deep as the pot, then plant the plant in the hole, covering the roots with soil and water. Unless the plant is very small, allow the soil to dry between waterings.

Mulch around the base of the plant with shredded leaves. Most impatiens can be handled with little care or maintenance once they are established. You can pinch off the growing tips of long stems to keep them from becoming top-heavy, but most impatiens will self-seed and will bloom again from stems produced from the base of the plant after the first season.

How to Grow Impatiens

The best time to plant impatiens is in spring when the soil is still cool and moist, but not wet. If growing in pots, plant them in the same type of pot that they were originally in. If starting them from seed, be sure to keep them moist while they grow, and decrease the amount of water once they are established.

Once they are established and growing, they do not require much care. A simple rule of thumb is to check the soil occasionally for weeds and feed them with a balanced fertilizer after each growing season. Although impatiens are perennials, they are easy to grow from seed and will self-seed for future years.

To save seeds for the following season, cut the stems and dry them in a dry, dark place. Then store in a cool, dry, dark place for the winter. When spring comes, plant the seeds as soon as they are dry enough to handle and cover them with soil. Impatiens can also be propagated by dividing the stem, as long as the roots are healthy and intact.

How to Care for Impatiens

As soon as they are planted, water impatiens regularly, but keep the soil moist rather than wet. In dry soil, water every two to three days, and more often if the soil is very dry. Fertilize with a balanced fertilizer every two months, especially in the spring. Mulch the soil around the plant with compost or other organic matter. Remove spent flower heads at the end of the season to encourage new growth, but leave a few flowers to provide a summer source of nectar for bees.

Once your impatiens have bloomed, remove the spent flowers and dead stems, and make sure that the soil is thoroughly watered. Some impatiens, such as the orange-red types, will produce seedlings from the base of the plant. It is best to separate these from the parent plant, as they will compete with the parent for nutrients, so they can be transplanted to another location or discarded.

For best results, remove the lowest 3 to 4 inches of soil from the planting area, then add aged manure or compost to the area. It should be thoroughly mixed in the planting area, then watered in well. It is best to use a soil conditioner when you fertilize your impatiens.

Conclusion

Impatiens are easy-to-grow, attractive plants that are perfect for container gardens and window boxes. They can be planted in the ground or grown in pots and will thrive in most soil types, as long as it is well-drained. When growing them from seed, make sure to keep them watered and fertilized, and after a few weeks, you should have a profuse display of colorful blooms.

Many impatiens will also self-seed for future years, so if you have a favorite variety, you may have to thin out the seedlings. The plants have few needs once they are established, other than regular watering and fertilization, so pruning should only be done when necessary to keep the plant from becoming top-heavy or damaged.

Pinching off the growing tips of long stems will keep them from becoming top-heavy, as well as keep them from flowering again, so they will bloom at the base of the plant every year. Impatiens can be grown in pots or the ground, and require little care once they are established.