This colorful, heat-loving annual brings a tropical flair to your containers or flowerbeds.
These annuals feature succulent stems and attractive foliage that create the perfect backdrop for large, colorful blooms.
There are many foliage variations of New Guineas, ranging from variegated to green with bronze or purple accents.
Credit: Justin Hancock
The flowers of New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri)are like an exaggerated version of standard impatiens flowers.
The showy blossoms are composed of five slightly overlapping petals, arranged around a small, button-like center.
They come in a variety of bold hues from pink and white to lavender and orange.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Consider adding organic material, such as compost or manure, to the soil to optimize growing conditions.
A slightly acidic pH is ideal.
New Guinea impatiens work well in containers or hanging baskets.
Credit: Justin Hancock
They can also be grouped in flowerbeds or planted as borders near pools, walkways, or patios.
Find out when yourlast spring frostis expected and plan to do your planting two weeks later.
(Vigorous varieties may require a little extra room.)
Credit: Justin Hancock
Add a layer of mulch around the plants to reduce water loss during peak summer months.
New Guinea Impatiens Care Tips
New Guinea impatiens are sensitive to their surroundings.
They’re particular about nutrient levels in the soil and require lots of water.
Credit: Justin Hancock
A slightly acidic pH is preferable.
Soil that drains quickly reduces the likelihood of root rot.
Expect your New Guinea impatiens to need lots of water.
Credit: Bill Stites
Their leaves easily lose moisture, and this tendency is exacerbated in low-humidity conditions.
If they start to wilt,give them a thorough wateringand they should bounce back in a few hours.
Try not to let the plants dry out between waterings.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
(Hint: Plant New Guinea impatiens alongsideother plants with similar growing requirements.)
Overwatering can lead to root rot, so don’t let the soil become soggy.
Keep in mind that potted New Guinea Impatiens will need more water than plants grown in the ground.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Check your potted plants regularly to double-check they get enough water.
They will stop producing new buds when nighttime temps are 70F and higher.
New Guineas perform well in high humidity, which reduces water loss through the leaves.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Fertilizer
New Guinea impatiens don’t require heavy fertilizing.
Container garden plants will benefit from abiweekly tool of water-soluble fertilizer, as nutrients can escape through drainage holes.
Although New Guinea impatiens naturally drop their flowers,deadheading throughout the seasonwill encourage blooming into the fall.
Credit: Justin Hancock
When removing spent blossoms, pinch the stem back above the first leaf pair.
If your impatiens are potted, shaking the container may also encourage old blossoms to fall off.
check that thepot allows adequatesoil drainage, and use potting soil, not garden soil.
Credit: Marty Baldwin
If you are growing it as a houseplant, you may need to repot when the plant becomes root-bound.
While these tropical plants require lots of water, they’re also susceptible to fungal root rot.
This may occur in poorly drained soil or in containers that lack a hole for drainage.
Credit: Justin Hancock
How to Propagate New Guinea Impatiens
Propagate from cuttings:
Most varieties arepropagated by stem cuttings.
And if the cultivars are patented,propagating them may be illegal.
It is a vigorous grower and reaches a height of 16 inches.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Another vigorous variety, this cultivar grows to 16 inches tall.
‘Applause Orange Blaze’
‘Applause Orange Blaze’ produces brightorange flowerswith variegated foliage.
It’s more cold-tolerant than many other varieties, able to withstand cooler nights.
Credit: Justin Hancock
Mature plants are 1 foot tall and wide.
It grows 16 inches tall.
‘Celebration Orange’
‘Celebration Orange’ stands out with its showy orange flowers over dark green foliage.
Credit: Justin Hancock
It grows 16 inches tall in a mound formation.
‘Celebration Lavender Glow’
‘Celebration Lavender Glow’ features large lavender-pink flowers over dark green foliage.
It reaches 16 inches tall and is a vigorous grower.
Credit: Justin Hancock
‘Infinity Lavender’
‘Infinity Lavender’ is a shade-loving variety with large lavender-purple flowers.
It blooms all summer and fall and grows 14 inches tall and wide.
‘Celebrette Deep Red’
‘Celebrette Deep Red’ producesrich red flowersthat attract hummingbirds over dark green foliage.
Credit: Justin Hancock
This compact variety tops out at 10 inches tall.
‘Celebrette Purple Stripe’
‘Celebrette Purple Stripe’ features large purple flowers streaked with white.
This petite key in reaches 10 inches tall.
Credit: Justin Hancock
It’s often grown for its eye-catching foliage, which adds color to a fall garden.
It grows 14 inches tall and 12 inches wide.
‘Painted Paradise Lilac’
‘Painted Paradise Lilac’ bears large lilac-hued flowers over strongly variegated foliage.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
The mounding plant reaches 14 inches tall.
‘Paradise Cherry Rose’
‘Paradise Cherry Rose’ shows off vibrant red-pink flowers on a 16-inch-tall plant.
Blooming occurs from midspring to early fall.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
‘Painted Paradise White’
‘Painted Paradise White’ is awhite-floweringvariety with yellow-variegated foliage.
It grows 14 inches tall.
‘Painted Paradise Red’
‘Painted Paradise Red’ shows off vibrant red blossoms and variegated foliage.
Credit: Denny Schrock
It grows 14 inches tall in a mounding formation.
Expect blooms from midspring to early fall.
It grows 16 inches tall and blooms from midspring to fall.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
It grows 16 inches tall.
It grows in a mounding habit and produces blossoms in spring and summer.
Plants range from tiny creeping groundcovers to 30-inch-tall cut flowers, which are a favorite with florists.
Credit: Peter Krumhardt
Impatiens
What would we do withoutimpatiens?
They’re the old reliable for shade gardens that need eye-popping color all season long.
Its colorful foliage, in shades of chartreuse or purple, accents just about any other plant.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
Sweet potato vines do best during the warm days of summer and prefer moist, well-drained soil.
They thrive in sun or shade.
Although the plan calls for a trio of impatiens, you could easily swap in New Guinea impatiens.
Credit: Illustration by Mavis Augustine Torke
It’s great for a spot that enjoys afternoon shade.
Frequently Asked Questions
Since New Guinea impatiens are hybrids, most don’t produce usable seeds.
confirm to set them near a window that receives full sun.
The short answer: They never stop!
From spring to fall, these tropical lovelies flaunt their flowers.
Deadheading can encourage new buds to form, ensuring you maximize the show-stopping display.
