Care Instructions for Impatiens

Plant impatiens bedding plants when all danger of frost has passed, or start impatiens by seed indoors eight to ten weeks earlier.

Plant impatiens where the flowers will be exposed to two to four hours of filtered or partial sunlight per day. Avoid planting impatiens where they will be exposed to hot afternoon sunlight. Although impatiens can grow in full shade, the plants will be taller and the blooms will be diminished.

Water impatiens planted in flower beds once every week. If impatiens are planted in patio containers or hanging baskets, check the potting soil daily, as potting soil in containers dries out quickly. Water whenever the potting soil feels dry to the touch.

Fertilize impatiens in flower beds once in early spring, using a general-purpose time-release liquid fertilizer. Impatiens grown in containers should be fertilized every other week, using a water-soluble fertilizer for blooming plants.