Impatiens are one of the most popular annual plants, perhaps since they can thrive and bloom in shadier spots.
The flowers are bold and bright- but you could be wondering, ‘why are my impatiens not blooming?’
With proper care, enjoy an easy pop of color in your borders, beds, and gardens this season.
Prevent your impatiens from common issues that prevent bloom- while also learning how to obtain optimal growth and hardiness for your flowers this season!
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Why are My Impatiens Not Blooming?
The most common reason why your impatiens do not bloom is due to inadequate sunlight. If your impatiens get a good mix of sun and shade, other reasons why impatiens fail to blossom could be related to too much heat or not enough water.
Reasons Why Impatiens Don’t Bloom
Inadequate Sunlight
The wrong light level for your plants is probably the biggest reason why your impatiens are not blooming. Fortunately, it is easily fixed.
Impatiens are one of those species that do best in semi-shade conditions.
That is, they can thrive and survive in full shade but bloom best with a couple of hours of sunlight each day.
Make sure that your impatiens are not getting too much sun, however, as this will dry them out and impede the blooms.
Impatiens are inexpensive flowers that fit in well with your beds and borders, requiring little special care and doing fine next to towering plants that could leave them in the shade.
Temperature Extremes
Impatiens are hardy and thrive in a wide range of regions and conditions, but growers should know that these plants are a bit sensitive to heat.
It is important to adjust the amount of water and irrigation your plants receive when you live in an area with average temperatures of 80 degrees Fahrenheit or higher.
Impatiens may require frequent watering, twice daily in hot climates. If you keep containers of impatiens, water conservatively twice a day, ideally.
Since they are vulnerable to heat, they may wither but give them water, and they should perk up quickly. This is a very resilient plant.
Be wary of wet and very humid conditions, too, as Impatiens can be susceptible to root rot. Impatiens like soil that’s moist, but not overly wet, the best.
Caring for Impatiens
Impatiens are easy to grow in most regions of the United States.
If you live in the cooler climate of the North, plant around Memorial Day to prevent frost from killing your plants.
Cold weather can cause your impatiens issues throughout the season, impacting hardiness and the number of blossoms.
Impatiens do best in semi-shady conditions with loose, well-drained soil.
They do require some sunlight daily for optimal bloom but make sure that you provide extra water when they are exposed to sun or heat for prolonged times.
Optimal Soil Conditions for Impatiens
Treat your impatiens right with enriched soil that has added organic fertilizer or compost for optimal growth.
Impatiens prefer well-drained, loose soil that is well aerated.
Since impatiens like light but frequent watering, the soil should be loose to prevent it from becoming too wet, heavy, and boggy for the plant.
Plan on providing your impatiens with a couple of inches of water per week, but double this in very warm climates where the daily temperatures hover around 80 degrees Fahrenheit.
Fertilizing and Feeding Impatiens
Fertilize your impatiens regularly with a water-soluble fertilizer, at least every two weeks during peak seasons of spring and summer.
Some gardeners prefer a fertilizer that is slowly released from early spring to mid-summer.
Using too much fertilizer, however, can result in plants looking overgrown, scraggly, and weedy by mid-summer.
Gently use scissors to trim back the foliage. Plucking the deadheads will also result in fuller, bushier impatiens plants.
Careful Pruning for Impatiens
Prune and trim your Impatiens gingerly. Rigorous trimming can cause your plant to stop blooming.
Go ahead and prune deadheads on your plants but avoid trimming the entire stem, or you could be removing potential buds from the plant.
Careful pruning can make for a bushier plant with plenty of new blossoms later.
Frequently Asked Questions About Why Impatiens Isn’t Blooming
What Plant Diseases Plague Impatiens?
Impatiens are susceptible to root rot, a fungal disease that comes with leaving the plant in wet soil or too much watering- usually killing the plant. Crowding causes problems and allows plant diseases to spread, so make sure to allow for ample air circulation between plants and seedlings. Spots on the leaves of your Impatiens could be a sign of bacterial wilt, another common affliction for Impatiens.
How does too much sunlight affect impatiens?
Impatiens like shady spots but also bloom best with daily sun. Too much direct sunlight can burn the leaves and dry the plants out quickly, causing them to wither, curl, and yellow.
What Pests are Problems for Impatiens?
Some pests that are a problem for impatiens include spider mites, mealybugs, slugs, snails, and aphids, which cause the foliage to appear discolored and curled. The Tarnished plant bug will dwarf and stunt the impatiens, making the flowers look weird and misshapen. Treat pests around your impatiens with horticultural oil, such as Neem oil, and remove afflicted plants from your garden.
Conclusion
Impatiens are an easy-to-care-for annual that brings a pop of color wherever you plant it.
These plants are perfect for beds and borders, thriving in shady spots and blooming the best with a couple of hours of natural sunlight each day.
Impatiens do well in most hardiness grow zones but speak with a garden or landscaping professional to learn more!
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.