How to Grow Busy Lizzie (Impatiens)
Annual
Busy Lizzie is a tender, shade-tolerant bedding annual with an almost continuous supply of bright, simple flowers. It is particularly useful for containers and borders that receive little direct sun. Traditional forms have suffered from impatiens downy mildew, but New Guinea types are generally more resistant and offer larger leaves and blooms.
Planting
Sow seed under cover from January to March at around 21 degrees C, though plugs or garden-centre plants are easier and more reliable. Plant out after the last spring frost, usually from late May, allowing 20 to 30 cm between plants. Harden off gradually and select a sheltered place in light or dappled shade. In colder northern gardens and Scotland, wait until early June if nights remain chilly.
Care
Keep soil or compost evenly moist, watering containers whenever they begin to dry. Busy Lizzies dislike drought, but roots also suffer in waterlogged compost. Remove faded flowers and damaged leaves to keep plants tidy, though little deadheading is needed. Provide some airflow around plants. If leaves yellow, collapse or develop a greyish growth beneath, remove affected plants promptly and do not replant the same type there immediately.
Bloom time
Busy Lizzies normally flower from June until the first frosts, and can begin in May in a warm, sheltered southern position. Their display is strongest through summer where moisture is consistent and light is not harsh.
Garden uses
Plant Busy Lizzies beneath shrubs, along shaded paths, in north- or east-facing containers and in sheltered window boxes. They create dense blocks of colour in difficult, low-light spaces. New Guinea impatiens are particularly handsome as specimen plants in pots, combining flowers with bold variegated or dark foliage.
Tips
Choose New Guinea types where impatiens downy mildew has previously been a problem, and avoid saving plants or compost from affected displays. Water at soil level and give plants room rather than packing them tightly. Check labels for eventual size, since vigorous New Guinea varieties need more space than standard bedding forms.
Growing Busy Lizzie (Impatiens): frequently asked questions
How do I grow busy lizzie (impatiens) in the UK?
Sow seed under cover from January to March at around 21 degrees C, though plugs or garden-centre plants are easier and more reliable.
When does busy lizzie (impatiens) flower?
Busy Lizzies normally flower from June until the first frosts, and can begin in May in a warm, sheltered southern position.
How do I care for busy lizzie (impatiens)?
Keep soil or compost evenly moist, watering containers whenever they begin to dry.
General guidance for UK gardens. Timing and hardiness vary by region and season; the RHS or a local garden centre can advise for your area. Page updated 18 Sep 2026.