68 gardener saves
Impatiens: the varieties gardeners actually grow
We track 21 varieties; these are the ones gardeners actually save and plant, ranked by real saves rather than catalog marketing. Each links to full care, bloom, and live price data.
The 12 most-saved Impatiens varieties
Of 21 in the catalog — ordered by how many gardeners actually grow them.
#1 most savedRockapulco Wisteria Impatiens
Impatiens walleriana 'Rockapulco Wisteria'
#2 most savedBlue Diamond Impatiens
Impatiens arguta
#3 most savedRockapulco Purple Impatiens
Impatiens walleriana 'Rockapulco Purple'
New Guinea Impatiens 'Compact Tropical Rose'
Impatiens x hybrida 'Compact Tropical Rose'
Impatiens Sonic Lilac
Impatiens x hybrida 'Sonic Lilac'
Poor Man's Orchid, Balfour's Touch-me-not
Impatiens balfourii 'Poor Man's Orchid'
Dyemaker's Balsam
Impatiens tinctoria
Blue Diamond Balsam
Impatiens namchabarwensis 'Blue Diamond'
Busy Lizzie Impatiens
Impatiens wallerana 'Hot Coral'
Impatiens Blue Dream
Impatiens arguta 'Blue Dream'
Mount Emei Balsam
Impatiens omeiana 'Eco Mount Emei'
Poor Man's Rhododendron
Impatiens sodenii 'Madonna'
Browse all 21 Impatiens varieties →
How to grow Impatiens
What the Impatiens varieties in our catalog actually agree on — drawn from the care records of the 21 most-grown of them, not from a generic template.
The Impatiens year
- PlantApril and May100% of varieties
Plant transplants outdoors after all danger of frost has passed
- FertilizeMay–August95% of varieties
Apply balanced liquid fertilizer monthly during active growth
- Pinch TipsApril–June71% of varieties
Pinch stem tips early in the season for a bushier habit
- Check for PestsMay–August43% of varieties
Monitor for spider mites, especially if conditions are dry
- DeadheadMay–September33% of varieties
Remove spent flowers before seed pods form to limit aggressive self-seeding
Do
- Water regularly to keep soil moist 🌱
- Provide partial shade during hot afternoons
- Pinch back to encourage bushier growth
- Apply balanced fertilizer monthly
- Pinch back to promote bushiness
Avoid
- Avoid overwatering to prevent root rot ❌
- Do not let soil dry out completely
- Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent leaf burn
- Skip fertilizing during dormancy
What goes wrong with Impatiens
| Problem | What you'll see | What to do |
|---|---|---|
| Aphids | Sticky residue and distorted leaves | Spray with insecticidal soap |
| Spider mites | Fine webbing on foliage | Use neem oil or insecticidal soap |
| Spider Mites | Fine webbing and speckled leaves | Increase humidity and apply insecticidal soap |
| Downy mildew | Yellowing leaves with fuzzy growth | Improve air circulation and avoid overhead watering |
| Powdery Mildew | White powdery coating on leaves | Improve air circulation and apply organic fungicide |
| Root Rot | Wilting and blackened roots | Reduce watering and improve soil drainage |
Making more Impatiens
Cuttings
- Take softwood cuttings in late spring.
- Dip in rooting hormone and plant in moist soil.
- Maintain high humidity for 6 weeks.
Seed
- Tuck seeds into moist soil in early spring.
- Keep soil consistently moist for germination (7-14 days).
Impatiens questions
How many types of Impatiens are there?
The Sow catalog tracks 21 distinct Impatiens varieties. The most popular — ranked by 68 real gardener saves — are shown first above.
What zones does Impatiens grow in?
Across its varieties, Impatiens covers USDA Zones 4–10. Individual varieties differ — each plant page lists its exact range, and Sow filters the catalog to your zone automatically.
When does Impatiens bloom?
Most Impatiens varieties bloom in late spring to fall, mid-summer, spring to fall. Staggering early, mid, and late varieties extends the genus's season in one bed.
Which Impatiens should I choose?
Start from the most-saved varieties above — popularity across thousands of gardens is a strong signal of reliability — then filter by your zone and sun. In the Sow app you can preview any of them in a photo of your actual yard before you buy.
Keep exploring
Design with Impatiens in your own yard
Snap a photo of your space and see these varieties planted in it — sized correctly, matched to your zone, with care reminders included.
