26 Types of Impatiens Flowers (With Pictures)

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Impatiens, often called busy lizzies or touch-me-nots, are vibrant flowering plants in the Balsaminaceae family, native to tropical and temperate regions of Africa, Asia, and North America. With over 1,000 species, they offer a dazzling palette of pink, red, white, purple, orange, and yellow blooms, earning their name from seed pods that burst when touched. These shade-loving annuals or perennials are garden favorites for their continuous color from spring to frost.

Growing 8-36 inches tall, impatiens thrive in partial to full shade with moist, well-drained soil, making them ideal for shady beds, borders, containers, and hanging baskets. Varieties like Impatiens walleriana and New Guinea impatiens suit diverse settings, while SunPatiens tolerate more sun. Their lush foliage and bright flowers add tropical flair to landscapes in USDA zones 10-11 or as annuals elsewhere.

Impatiens attract hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees, boosting garden biodiversity. Non-toxic to humans and pets, they’re safe for family spaces. Native species like Impatiens capensis (jewelweed) thrive in wet areas and offer sap to soothe skin irritations, though some can self-seed aggressively, requiring control to prevent invasiveness.

Care involves regular watering to keep soil moist, biweekly fertilization with a 10-10-10 mix, and minimal deadheading, as most are self-cleaning. Downy mildew affects some walleriana types, so choose resistant varieties like Beacon or New Guinea impatiens. In colder zones, overwinter indoors or take cuttings to preserve plants.

Varieties of Impatiens

Impatiens walleriana (Busy Lizzie)

  • Description: A popular bedding plant with succulent stems and bright, single or double flowers in shades of pink, red, white, orange, and purple.
  • Height: 6–24 inches.
  • Growing Conditions: Prefers partial to full shade, moist, well-drained soil.
  • Use: Ideal for borders, containers, and hanging baskets.
  • Note: Susceptible to downy mildew; newer resistant cultivars like ‘Beacon’ exist.

Impatiens balsamina (Garden Balsam)

  • Description: Features camellia-like double flowers in red, pink, white, or purple, often with a waxy texture.
  • Height: 8–30 inches.
  • Growing Conditions: Thrives in full sun to partial shade, prefers rich soil.
  • Use: Great for cottage gardens and mass plantings.
  • Note: Seeds can self-sow, leading to naturalized growth.

Impatiens hawkeri (New Guinea Impatiens)

  • Description: Known for larger, vibrant flowers and variegated or bronze-tinted foliage. Colors include pink, red, orange, and white.
  • Height: 12–18 inches.
  • Growing Conditions: Tolerates more sun than I. walleriana, prefers well-drained soil.
  • Use: Perfect for containers and garden beds.
  • Note: More disease-resistant than Busy Lizzie.

Impatiens namchabarwensis (Blue Sapphire Impatiens)

  • Description: Rare species with striking blue-violet flowers, discovered in the Himalayas.
  • Height: 12–24 inches.
  • Growing Conditions: Needs cool, moist, shaded environments with acidic soil.
  • Use: Ornamental for shade gardens in cooler climates.
  • Note: Difficult to cultivate due to specific climate needs.

Impatiens tinctoria

  • Description: A tuberous perennial with large, white, orchid-like flowers with red markings.
  • Height: Up to 6 feet.
  • Growing Conditions: Prefers partial shade and rich, moist soil.
  • Use: Adds height to shaded borders or woodland gardens.
  • Note: Native to East Africa, less common in cultivation.

Impatiens capensis (Jewelweed)

  • Description: North American native with orange-yellow, trumpet-shaped flowers speckled with red.
  • Height: 2–5 feet.
  • Growing Conditions: Thrives in wet, shady areas like stream banks.
  • Use: Naturalized areas, wildlife gardens (attracts hummingbirds).
  • Note: Seeds pop when touched, hence “touch-me-not.”

Impatiens glandulifera (Himalayan Balsam)

  • Description: Tall, invasive species with pink or purple helmet-shaped flowers.
  • Height: 3–6 feet.
  • Growing Conditions: Prefers moist, shaded areas; spreads rapidly.
  • Use: Limited due to invasiveness, sometimes in wild gardens.
  • Note: Considered a weed in many regions; control is often needed.

Impatiens pallida (Pale Jewelweed)

  • Description: Similar to I. capensis but with pale yellow flowers and fewer spots.
  • Height: 2–5 feet.
  • Growing Conditions: Wet, shaded areas, often near streams.
  • Use: Native plant gardens, attracts pollinators.
  • Note: Traditionally used to soothe skin irritations like poison ivy.

Impatiens auricoma

  • Description: Tropical species with bright yellow flowers and a compact habit.
  • Height: 1–2 feet.
  • Growing Conditions: Warm, humid, shaded environments.
  • Use: Ornamental for tropical or greenhouse settings.
  • Note: Less hardy, often grown as an annual in cooler climates.

Impatiens bicolor (Two-tone Impatiens)

  • Description: Features flowers with two distinct colors, often pink and white or red and white.
  • Height: 12–18 inches.
  • Growing Conditions: Partial shade, moist soil.
  • Use: Adds visual interest to mixed containers or borders.
  • Note: A hybrid variety, less common than single-color types.

Impatiens flanaganae

  • Description: South African species with pink, tubular flowers and a shrubby growth habit.
  • Height: Up to 3 feet.
  • Growing Conditions: Warm, shaded areas with well-drained soil.
  • Use: Ornamental in subtropical gardens or as a houseplant.
  • Note: Rare in cultivation, sensitive to frost.

Impatiens sodenii (Poor Man’s Rhododendron)

  • Description: Shrub-like with large, pink or white flowers and glossy leaves.
  • Height: 3–6 feet.
  • Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, well-drained soil.
  • Use: Focal point in tropical or large garden settings.
  • Note: Can be invasive in warm climates.

Impatiens ‘SunPatiens’ (Hybrid Series)

  • Description: A hybrid of I. hawkeri and others, with vibrant flowers and heat tolerance. Available in compact, spreading, or vigorous forms.
  • Height: 1–3 feet, depending on variety.
  • Growing Conditions: Full sun to partial shade, adaptable to various soils.
  • Use: Versatile for beds, borders, and containers.
  • Note: Highly disease-resistant and blooms continuously.

Impatiens arguta (Blue Dream Impatiens)

    • Description: A Himalayan species with tubular, blue-purple flowers and a delicate, arching growth habit.
    • Height: 1–2 feet.
    • Growing Conditions: Prefers cool, shaded, moist environments with well-drained soil.
    • Use: Ornamental for woodland or shade gardens in cooler climates.
    • Note: Rare in cultivation, sensitive to heat and drought.

    Impatiens omeiana (Hardy Impatiens)

      • Description: A perennial species with yellow, orchid-like flowers and attractive, dark green foliage with red veins.
      • Height: 12–18 inches.
      • Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade, moist, humus-rich soil; hardy to USDA Zone 6.
      • Use: Ideal for shaded borders or rock gardens.
      • Note: Named after Mt. Omei in China, it’s more cold-tolerant than most Impatiens.

      Impatiens scabrida

        • Description: Features bright yellow flowers with red spots, native to the Himalayas.
        • Height: 1–3 feet.
        • Growing Conditions: Cool, shaded areas with consistently moist soil.
        • Use: Adds color to shaded woodland gardens.
        • Note: Not widely available, requires specific conditions to thrive.

        Impatiens ‘Infinity Series’

          • Description: A hybrid series of New Guinea Impatiens with large flowers in shades like salmon, blush, and cherry red, plus lush foliage.
          • Height: 10–14 inches.
          • Growing Conditions: Partial shade to full sun, well-drained soil.
          • Use: Containers, hanging baskets, or garden beds.
          • Note: Known for vigorous growth and long blooming season.

          Impatiens kilimanjari (Kilimanjaro Impatiens)

            • Description: Rare African species with small, orange-red flowers, native to Tanzania’s Kilimanjaro region.
            • Height: 1–2 feet.
            • Growing Conditions: Warm, humid, shaded environments; often grown in greenhouses.
            • Use: Ornamental for tropical collections or indoor settings.
            • Note: Endangered in the wild, challenging to cultivate.

            Impatiens ‘Sonic Series’

              • Description: Compact I. walleriana hybrids with vivid flowers in colors like magenta, pink, and white.
              • Height: 12–18 inches.
              • Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade, moist soil.
              • Use: Popular for bedding, borders, and containers.
              • Note: Downy mildew-resistant varieties are available.

              Impatiens niamniamensis (Parrot Plant)

                • Description: Unique tropical species with red and yellow, beak-shaped flowers resembling parrots.
                • Height: 2–3 feet.
                • Growing Conditions: Warm, shaded, humid conditions; often grown as a houseplant.
                • Use: Novelty plant for tropical gardens or indoor displays.
                • Note: Also called “Congo Cockatoo” for its flower shape.

                Impatiens repens

                  • Description: Creeping species from Sri Lanka with small yellow flowers and red-tinted stems.
                  • Height: 2–4 inches (spreading).
                  • Growing Conditions: Shaded, moist areas; ideal for ground cover.
                  • Use: Rock gardens, terrariums, or as a low-growing accent.
                  • Note: Rare, prefers high humidity.

                  Impatiens ‘Super Elfin Series’

                    • Description: Dwarf I. walleriana hybrids with small, abundant flowers in colors like coral, violet, and red.
                    • Height: 6–10 inches.
                    • Growing Conditions: Partial to full shade, well-drained soil.
                    • Use: Edging, containers, or small garden spaces.
                    • Note: Compact and ideal for high-density planting.

                    Impatiens mirabilis

                      • Description: Unusual species with a thick, woody stem and large, pink flowers; native to Thailand.
                      • Height: Up to 6 feet.
                      • Growing Conditions: Warm, shaded, moist conditions; often grown in greenhouses.
                      • Use: Striking specimen plant for tropical settings.
                      • Note: Rare, with a caudex-like stem for water storage.

                      Impatiens ‘Accent Series’

                        • Description: I. walleriana hybrids with large, star-shaped flowers in a wide range of colors, including bicolor options.
                        • Height: 10–12 inches.
                        • Growing Conditions: Shade to partial shade, moist soil.
                        • Use: Versatile for beds, borders, and containers.
                        • Note: Popular for uniform growth and vibrant blooms.

                        Impatiens pseudoviola

                          • Description: African species with white or pale pink flowers resembling violets, compact growth.
                          • Height: 8–12 inches.
                          • Growing Conditions: Warm, shaded, humid environments; often indoors.
                          • Use: Ornamental for tropical gardens or as a houseplant.
                          • Note: Sensitive to cold, less common in cultivation.

                          Impatiens ‘Fanfare Series’

                            • Description: Trailing New Guinea Impatiens hybrids with bright flowers in fuchsia, orange, and pink, ideal for hanging baskets.
                            • Height: 12–20 inches (trailing up to 2 feet).
                            • Growing Conditions: Partial shade to sun, well-drained soil.
                            • Use: Hanging baskets, ground cover, or container spillers.
                            • Note: Heat-tolerant and vigorous spreader.

                            Growing and Caring for Impatiens

                            Impatiens thrive in partial to full shade, though varieties like SunPatiens tolerate full sun with ample moisture. Plant in rich, well-draining soil amended with compost or organic matter, spacing 8-12 inches apart to ensure air circulation and prevent fungal diseases like downy mildew. Water regularly to keep soil moist but not soggy, using drip irrigation to avoid wet foliage.

                            Fertilize every 2-4 weeks with a water-soluble 10-10-10 or 5-10-5 fertilizer to promote blooms. Self-cleaning varieties require no deadheading, but pinching leggy stems encourages bushier growth. Hardy in zones 10-11, impatiens are grown as annuals elsewhere, with stem cuttings or indoor overwintering preserving plants in cold climates. Start seeds indoors 8-12 weeks before the last frost, keeping them warm (70-75°F) and moist for germination.

                            Common Uses and Benefits

                            Impatiens are landscaping staples, perfect for shady flower beds, borders, containers, and hanging baskets. Their vibrant blooms add color to areas where few plants thrive, like under trees or near shrubs. Trailing varieties like New Guinea impatiens create stunning spills in baskets, while compact types like Beacon Series fill window boxes or patio pots.

                            They attract pollinators, supporting bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds, and are non-toxic to humans and pets, safe for family gardens. Deer and rabbit resistance varies, with native jewelweed being more resilient. Their low-maintenance, continuous blooming from spring to frost makes them ideal for novice gardeners, and some, like jewelweed, offer medicinal uses for skin irritations.

                            Potential Challenges and Solutions

                            Impatiens face challenges like downy mildew, especially in walleriana varieties, causing yellowing leaves and white spores. Choose resistant cultivars like Beacon or New Guinea impatiens, space plants for airflow, and avoid overhead watering. Pests like aphids, spider mites, or slugs can be managed with neem oil or beneficial insects like ladybugs.

                            Overwatering leads to root rot, so ensure well-draining soil and water only when the top 1-2 inches are dry. In hot climates, provide afternoon shade to prevent wilting, particularly for shade-loving types. Deer may browse some varieties, so use repellents or plant in protected areas. In zones below 10, frost kills impatiens, so take cuttings or overwinter indoors to preserve favorites

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