Easy Annual Safe for pets

Busy Lizzie

Impatiens walleriana

A classic bedding plant, cherished for its vibrant, continuous blooms that brighten shady garden spots and containers.

The essentials at a glance

Watering

Every day
Light

Bright indirect light
Humidity

50–70 %
Temperature

18–24 °C

How to care for your Busy Lizzie

Everything you need to keep your Busy Lizzie healthy: watering, light, humidity, feeding, repotting and pruning.

Impatiens walleriana, widely known as Busy Lizzie, is a beloved annual or tender perennial celebrated for its profusion of colorful, flat-faced flowers that bloom almost non-stop from spring until frost. These cheerful blooms come in a vast array of colors, from white and pink to red, orange, and purple. It thrives in partial to full shade and demands consistently moist soil, making it an ideal choice for brightening shady borders, containers, and hanging baskets. Its rapid growth and vibrant display ensure it lives up to its 'busy' moniker.

Watering your Busy Lizzie

Every day

Keep soil consistently moist; they wilt dramatically if dry.

How to know it needs water

Top inch of soil feels dry
Leaves show significant wilting

How much light a Busy Lizzie needs

Bright indirect light

Partial to full shade; avoid harsh afternoon sun.

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 (50-70%). Benefits from misting in dry indoor conditions.

Feeding and fertiliser

Every 14 days

Fertilize every 2 weeks during the growing season for abundant blooms.

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

Repotting your Busy Lizzie

Every 12 months

Typically grown as an annual; pot up seedlings into desired containers.

When: Spring (for new plants)
Potting mix: All-purpose potting mix
Mix in: perlite, coco fibre

The tell-tale signs

Roots emerging from drainage holes
Stunted growth (if grown as annual)

Pruning your Busy Lizzie

Deadhead spent blooms; pinch back leggy stems. Remove faded flowers and pinch stem tips to encourage bushiness.

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

Known for its explosive seed pods that 'snap' open when touched.
One of the most popular flowering shade annuals.

Frequently asked questions about the Busy Lizzie

How do you care for a Busy Lizzie?

Water it every day. Give it bright indirect light. Ideal humidity: 50–70 %. Ideal temperature: 18–24 °C. Keep soil consistently moist; they wilt dramatically if dry.

How often should you water a Busy Lizzie?

Every day Keep soil consistently moist; they wilt dramatically if dry. How to know it needs water : Top inch of soil feels dry ; Leaves show significant wilting.

How much light does a Busy Lizzie need?

Bright indirect light Partial to full shade; avoid harsh afternoon sun. 0 to 3 h a day

Is the Busy Lizzie toxic to cats and dogs?

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

Why are my Busy Lizzie 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 Busy Lizzie?

Repot every 12 months, ideally in spring (for new plants). Typically grown as an annual; pot up seedlings into desired containers.