How to Fertilize Impatiens

Last Updated: March 29, 2019

Impatiens, also known as balsam or busy Lizzie, covers a large genus of more than 450 species. Most household Impatiens plants are the varieties and hybrids derived from Impatiens wallerana (or walleriana), which is generically referred to as busy Lizzie. There are also New Guinea hybrids, which are gaining in popularity for the home grower too, due to their ever-blooming nature. These plants like to be fertilized regularly but moderately. The fertilizing approaches outlined here work for both kinds of Impatiens.

Method 1

Method 1 of 3:
Seedlings

1
Use a general purpose, slow acting fertilizer. Choose one that is either 15-15-15 or 20-10-20.
2
Combine with the seedling-appropriate soil. Water as usual.

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3
Apply a second dose when the plant's buds develop. This is optional.

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Method 2

Method 2 of 3:
Container growing

1
Use a water soluble fertilizer. Fertilize every 2 weeks for best, lush growth.

Method 3

Method 3 of 3:
Garden growing

1
Use a pellet fertilizer that has slow-release properties. Various brands of slow-release pellet fertilizer can be obtained from your local garden center or nursery.
2
Place the pellet fertilizer directly into a hole that has been dug around the root area of the plant.
3
Water a little more than usual directly after fertilizing. Then water as normal.
4
Repeat doses every 6-8 weeks. Any more often than this risks burning the plant. If the plant is growing well, you may not even need to repeat the does that season.

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Community Q&A

Question

I planted my Impatiens in pots using composted soil. Do I still need to fertilize them?

Staubinn

Community Answer

I would add some type of time-released granular fertilizer, since the nutrients leach out more quickly when in pots verses in ground soil.
Question

Are impatiens acid-loving plants?

Staubinn

Community Answer

I believe they can be grown in any type of soil as long as you provide ample water and shade. The soil should not be rocky or sandy. These plants thrive in moist, loamy soil.
Question

How do I harden off seedlings?

Community Answer

Hardening off refers to adapting the plant to the conditions outside. Keep the seedlings in an unheated outdoor greenhouse before moving outside.

Warnings

As with many plants, over-fertilization can result in a concentration on growing lots of leaves rather than putting energy into flowers.

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Take care not to fertilize surrounding plants unless the dose and type of fertilizer won't harm them.

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