Busy Lizzie (impatiens) Impatiens walleriana
Busy Lizzie (impatiens) (Impatiens walleriana) is an annual flowering plant in the Balsaminaceae family, native to Eastern Africa (Tanzania and Mozambique). It grows 20–50 cm (8–20 in) tall and 25–50 cm (10–20 in) wide, wants shade and high water, and is hardy to about 2 °C (36 °F). Space plants about 30 cm (12 in) apart.
Plan Busy Lizzie (impatiens) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Busy Lizzie (impatiens) at a glance
| Type | Annual flowering plant |
|---|---|
| Family | Balsaminaceae |
| Mature height | 20–50 cm (8–20 in) |
| Mature spread | 25–50 cm (10–20 in) |
| Spacing | 30 cm (12 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Shade, at least 2 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance low |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7 |
| Cold hardiness | About 2 °C (36 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | about 4–9 weeks after planting, for 17–26 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 80 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Eastern Africa (Tanzania and Mozambique) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States, 🇬🇧 United Kingdom |
Is Busy Lizzie (impatiens) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
ASPCA lists impatiens as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Busy Lizzie (impatiens)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like shade and high water.
See Busy Lizzie (impatiens) in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- The Butchart Gardens (20 plants)
Questions about Busy Lizzie (impatiens)
- How far apart should I plant Busy Lizzie (impatiens)?
- About 30 cm (12 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 25–50 cm (10–20 in).
- Does Busy Lizzie (impatiens) need full sun?
- Shade: at least 2 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Busy Lizzie (impatiens) need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance low.
- How cold-hardy is Busy Lizzie (impatiens)?
- It tolerates about 2 °C (36 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Busy Lizzie (impatiens) flower?
- About 4–9 weeks after planting, for 17–26 weeks.
- Is Busy Lizzie (impatiens) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. ASPCA lists impatiens as non-toxic to dogs, cats and horses.
- What grows well with Busy Lizzie (impatiens)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Busy Lizzie (impatiens). Group it with plants that like the same sun (shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- RHS Plant Finder, Royal Horticultural Society
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- UF/IFAS Extension tropical and subtropical fruit and landscape publications, University of Florida
Notes and assumptions
- Typical garden-form values; cultivars and local conditions differ.
- Tender perennial grown as an annual outside frost-free zones; susceptible to impatiens downy mildew in many regions.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
Related plants
- Garden balsam Impatiens balsamina
- New Guinea impatiens Impatiens hawkeri
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea