How to Grow Impatiens

Start Impatiens seeds indoors 10 weeks before your last frost date, then transplant outdoors 2 weeks after the last frost. Use the search on this page to find exact dates for your ZIP code or city.

Impatiens typically matures in about 60 days from planting. Exact timing varies by variety, soil conditions, and local climate.

Impatiens should be started indoors 10 weeks before the last frost date. This gives seedlings time to establish before being transplanted outside after frost danger has passed.

Impatiens requires partial to full shade (2-4 hours) to thrive.

Space Impatiens plants 8 inches apart to allow adequate airflow and root development.

Impatiens has regular (1-2 inches/week) water needs. Consistent moisture is important especially during germination and early growth.

Yes — seed saving difficulty for Impatiens is rated moderate. Seed pods explode when touched — bag ripening pods with a rubber band before they burst. Collect seeds from bags as pods burst. Tiny seeds — dry on paper towel for 1 week.

Properly dried and stored Impatiens seeds remain viable for up to 2 years. Store in a cool, dark, dry location in an airtight container with a silica gel packet for best results.

Many commonly sold Impatiens varieties are F1 hybrids, meaning seeds saved from them will not grow true to the parent plant. For reliable seed saving, look specifically for open-pollinated or heirloom varieties.