Easy Annual Safe for pets

New Guinea Impatiens

Impatiens hawkeri

New Guinea Impatiens are vigorous plants with vibrant flowers and colorful foliage, tolerant of more sun than common impatiens.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every 2 days
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

50–70 %
Temperature

18–30 °C

How to care for your New Guinea Impatiens

Everything you need to keep your New Guinea Impatiens healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Impatiens hawkeri, known as New Guinea Impatiens, is a popular bedding and container plant appreciated for its large, showy flowers in a spectrum of bold colors, often complemented by striking bronzed or variegated foliage. Unlike their traditional counterparts, these hybrids tolerate more sun exposure and are resistant to downy mildew, making them a reliable choice for gardeners. They require consistently moist, well-draining soil and regular feeding to produce their prolific blooms throughout the warm months, providing a brilliant display in garden beds and patio pots.

Watering your New Guinea Impatiens

Every 2 days

Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy; check daily in hot weather.

How to know it needs water

Top inch of soil is dry
Leaves start to droop slightly

How much light a New Guinea Impatiens needs

Bright indirect light

Bright, indirect light to partial shade

Direct sun tolerated: 0 to 3 h a day
Orientations that suit it: North, North-east, East, South-east, South, South-west, West, North-west

Humidity and misting

50–70 %

Moderate to high Misting can help in dry indoor environments; outdoors it's less critical.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 14 days

Fertilize every two weeks during the growing season for abundant blooms.

Recommended feed: Balanced liquid fertilizer · 5-10-5

Repotting your New Guinea Impatiens

Every 12 months

Typically grown as an annual; repot into a larger container if overwintering indoors.

When: Spring
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots filling pot
Stunted growth

Pruning your New Guinea Impatiens

As needed Pinch back leggy stems to encourage bushiness; deadhead spent flowers.

Through the year

Watering is not set once and for all: it follows the light and the growth. Allow 2 days between waterings in the depth of winter, against 1 in the growing season.

Active growth · Days between waterings

Good to know

Unlike traditional Impatiens walleriana, New Guinea Impatiens are resistant to downy mildew.
They offer a wider range of vibrant flower and foliage colors than older impatiens varieties.

Frequently asked questions about the New Guinea Impatiens

How do you care for a New Guinea Impatiens?

Water it every 2 days. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 50–70 %. Ideal temperature: 18–30 °C. Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy; check daily in hot weather.

How often should you water a New Guinea Impatiens?

Every 2 days Keep soil consistently moist but not soggy; check daily in hot weather. How to know it needs water : Top inch of soil is dry ; Leaves start to droop slightly.

How much light does a New Guinea Impatiens need?

Bright indirect light Bright, indirect light to partial shade 0 to 3 h a day

Is the New Guinea Impatiens toxic to cats and dogs?

No, the New Guinea Impatiens is not listed as toxic to cats and dogs. That is still no reason to let your pets chew on it.

Why are my New Guinea Impatiens leaves turning yellow?

Yellowing most often comes from too much water: the mix stays wet and the roots suffocate. Check that the pot drains, empty the saucer, and let the mix dry before watering again. Too little light or a cold draught cause the same symptom.

When should you repot a New Guinea Impatiens?

Repot every 12 months, ideally in spring. Typically grown as an annual; repot into a larger container if overwintering indoors.