Impatiens

Impatiens are colorful flowers that love shade! They bloom all summer and are perfect for brightening up darker spaces.

Habitat: Shady gardens and indoor spaces

Appearance

The Impatiens has vibrant, flat-petaled flowers often with a distinctive spur at the back, appearing in shades of pink, red, orange, white, and purple. Its delicate, broad leaves are usually bright green, creating a lush, bushy appearance.

KingdomPlantaePhylumTracheophytaClassMagnoliopsidaOrderEricalesFamilyBalsaminaceaeGenusImpatiens

Impatiens

Interesting facts

Many species of Impatiens are called 'Busy Lizzies' because they bloom so much.

Some Impatiens flowers have a long, slender tube called a spur that holds nectar for pollinators.

The name 'Impatiens' means 'impatient,' referring to how its seed pods burst open!

The tiny droplets of water you sometimes see on their leaves in the morning are not dew, but the plant 'sweating'!

Special abilities

Impatiens can forcefully eject its seeds when mature pods are touched, helping it spread quickly.

Impatiens has adapted to flourish in shady spots where many other colorful plants struggle to grow.

Impatiens can produce new flowers continuously from spring until frost, providing season-long color.

Measurements & details

Height: 20-60 cm
Spread: 20-40 cm
Flower Size: 2-5 cm
Bloom Season: Spring to first frost
Is Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Annual
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

pollinates

European honey bee

Apis mellifera

collects nectar and pollen

pollinates

Monarch butterfly

Danaus plexippus

visits flowers for nectar

eaten by

Two-spotted spider mite

Tetranychus urticae

feeds on plant sap

parasitizes

Impatiens downy mildew

Plasmopara obducens

causes leaf yellowing and death

Traits

Annual

Discover plants that complete their whole life story, from a tiny seed to making new seeds, all within a single growing season! Then, they gracefully finish their cycle.

Cluster Flower

Discover how these flowers grow together in beautiful groups, creating a big splash of color that catches your eye. It's like a tiny bouquet, all natural!

Shade Tolerant

Discover plants that love to live in the shadows, growing beautifully and happily even in spots where the sun doesn't shine all day long.

Summer Blooming

Enjoy the sunny days with these vibrant plants that show off their stunning flowers all through the warmest months, adding color to the long summer days.

Everblooming

Discover plants that seem to bloom non-stop, gracing your garden with colorful flowers throughout an extended season. They're always ready to show off!

Colorful

Discover amazing plants and animals that show off a dazzling array of bright and beautiful hues! They use their vibrant colors to attract attention or send signals.