Impatiens

Common impatiens prefer moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0-6.5. Add compost and feed moderately, choosing downy-mildew-resistant varieties where that disease has been a problem.

Sun

Part to full shade

Water

Keep consistently moist

Spacing

10 in

First harvest

60–75 days

Tips

• Surface-sow seeds without burying them and set hardened transplants about 10 inches apart at their original depth.
• Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, checking containers daily in warm weather.
• Apply a balanced fertilizer at the labeled rate after establishment, avoiding overfeeding in rich soil.
• Watch for downy mildew, including pale leaves and white growth beneath them, and remove infected plants rather than composting them.
• Pinch or lightly trim leggy stems to restore shape; routine deadheading is usually unnecessary.