New Guinea impatiens Impatiens hawkeri
New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) is an evergreen perennial flowering plant in the Balsaminaceae family, native to New Guinea and the Solomon Islands (montane forest clearings and stream banks). It grows 30–60 cm (12–24 in) tall and 30–60 cm (12–24 in) wide, wants part sun to part shade and high water, and is hardy to about 7 °C (45 °F). Space plants about 35 cm (14 in) apart.
Plan New Guinea impatiens in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
New Guinea impatiens at a glance
| Type | Perennial flowering plant, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Balsaminaceae |
| Mature height | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Mature spread | 30–60 cm (12–24 in) |
| Spacing | 35 cm (14 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Part sun to part shade, at least 3 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | High; drought tolerance none, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–6.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 7 °C (45 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 11) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 30 °C (86 °F) |
| Flowering | from about January for 29–47 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | None |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | New Guinea and the Solomon Islands (montane forest clearings and stream banks) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇦🇺 Australia, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is New Guinea impatiens toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Impatiens are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
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 New Guinea impatiens
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like part sun to part shade and high water.
See New Guinea impatiens in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Gardens by the Bay (24 plants)
Questions about New Guinea impatiens
- How far apart should I plant New Guinea impatiens?
- About 35 cm (14 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 30–60 cm (12–24 in).
- Does New Guinea impatiens need full sun?
- Part sun to part shade: at least 3 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does New Guinea impatiens need?
- High water. Drought tolerance is none and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is New Guinea impatiens?
- It tolerates about 7 °C (45 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 11.
- When does New Guinea impatiens flower?
- From about January for 29–47 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is New Guinea 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. Impatiens are listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs (ASPCA).
- What grows well with New Guinea impatiens?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for New Guinea impatiens. Group it with plants that like the same sun (part sun to part shade) and water (high).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plants of the World Online (taxonomy, native range), Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew
- ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, ASPCA
- Missouri Botanical Garden Plant Finder, Missouri Botanical Garden
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical montane (cloud forest, about 1,000–3,000 m): needs cool, constantly humid air. In the hot lowlands it is grown in a cooled conservatory (as in the Cloud Forest dome, kept near 23–25 °C).
- Flat, brightly coloured flowers with a slender spur over often bronze-variegated leaves; usually grown as a bedding plant in temperate gardens.
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
- Busy Lizzie (impatiens) Impatiens walleriana
- Garden balsam Impatiens balsamina
- Sunflower Helianthus annuus
- French marigold Tagetes patula
- English lavender Lavandula angustifolia
- Zinnia Zinnia elegans
- Cosmos Cosmos bipinnatus
- Purple coneflower Echinacea purpurea