Impatiens are popular annual flowers that provide vibrant color in shady garden beds and containers. With their bright blooms and ability to thrive in shade, impatiens are a gardener’s dream. However, these plants can sometimes take a turn for the worse, leaving us scratching our heads wondering why our impatiens are dying.
If your impatiens are looking poorly, don’t give up hope! With some detective work and attentive care, you can get them flowering beautifully again. This article will cover the most common causes of impatiens dying, along with tips to diagnose the issue and revive your plants.
Environmental Factors Causing Impatiens to Die
Before assuming pests or disease are to blame, ensure your impatiens’ basic needs are being met Here are some common environmental factors that can cause impatiens to die
-
Incorrect watering – Impatiens wilt easily, so consistent soil moisture is key Both overwatering and underwatering can cause drooping, yellowing leaves, and death Water thoroughly at soil level to keep foliage dry.
-
Excess sunlight – Too much direct sun scorches leaves and flowers. If sunlight exposure has increased, move containers to a shadier area or transplant in-ground plants.
-
Poor soil conditions – Impatiens need loose, humus-rich soil to spread roots. Compact or nutrient-deficient soil prevents growth. Mix in compost to improve drainage and fertility.
-
Insufficient fertilizer – Yellowing leaves may indicate impatiens need more balanced fertilizer. Feed every 6-8 weeks according to package directions. But don’t overdo nitrogen.
-
Cold weather – Exposure to frost or cold temps can blacken leaves and flowers. Protect containers or site beds away from cold pockets.
-
Physical damage – Impatiens are delicate and can be crushed by wind, animals, or contact. Remove broken stems and leaves to prevent disease.
Simply adjusting care to suit impatiens’ preferences often brings them back to life. Providing shelter from wind and monitoring soil moisture are especially helpful.
Pests Causing Impatiens Death
If environmental factors are ruled out, next check for signs of pests which can drain impatiens’ vitality:
-
Aphids – Curled, puckered leaves and stunted plants. Check leaf undersides where aphids cluster.
-
Thrips – Damaged buds and streaked flowers. Blossoms may fail to open.
-
Spider mites – Speckled or yellow leaves with webbing on undersides. Foliage drops off.
-
Mealybugs – White cottony clusters on stems. Leaves turn yellow and drop.
Isolate badly infested plants to prevent spreading. For mild cases, spray neem oil or insecticidal soap targeting infested areas. Repeat applications are often needed to kill juvenile insects as they hatch.
Diseases Leading to Dying Impatiens
Several fungal and bacterial diseases can also quickly kill impatiens:
-
Downy mildew – Yellowing leaves covered in white fuzz on undersides. Spreads rapidly in humid conditions.
-
Root rot – Caused by overwatering. Plants wilt severely and roots turn black and mushy.
-
Botrytis blight – Gray fuzzy spore growth on flowers, leaves, and stems in cool, damp weather.
-
Bacterial wilt – Sudden collapse of plants as stems ooze. No cure so infected plants must be discarded.
Improve airflow circulation and avoid overhead watering which wets foliage to prevent disease spread. Remove and destroy infected plants. Treat remaining impatiens with neem oil to prevent secondary infections.
Other Causes of Impatiens Dying
Along with pests and diseases, a few other factors can lead to impatiens failing to thrive:
-
Nematodes – Microscopic roundworms stunt plants, yellowing and killing leaves and roots. Replant beds after solarizing soil.
-
Nutrient deficiency – Yellowing leaves, stunted growth, and less flowering indicate impatiens are hungry. Fertilize more regularly.
-
Insufficient light – Weak, leggy growth results when impatiens don’t get enough sun. Move containers or transplant to brighter spots.
-
Overcrowding – Impatiens planted too densely compete for resources, becoming stressed and prone to disease. Thin beds and repot containers.
-
Poor drainage – Soggy soil suffocates roots, leading to fungal issues. Lighten heavy soils with compost to improve drainage before planting.
10 Tips to Revive Dying Impatiens
Follow these steps to bring your impatiens back to their former glory:
-
Diagnose the underlying problem – rule out environmental, pest, and disease causes.
-
Adjust watering to keep soil consistently moist but not saturated.
-
Improve drainage and light levels if insufficient.
-
Apply neem oil to deter pests and fungal disease.
-
Prune leggy stems and remove dead leaves and flowers.
-
Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balanced, water-soluble plant food.
-
Check for nematodes and solarize soil if suspected.
-
Mulch beds to retain moisture and reduce weeds.
-
Be patient – it takes time for impatiens to recover fully.
-
Remove declining plants quickly to prevent spreading issues.
While impatiens can be temperamental, don’t let setbacks discourage you. With attentive care tailored to their preferences, you can get your impatiens flowering abundantly once again. Their wide range of bright colors makes the effort of reviving these annuals well worth it!
Environmental and Cultural Impatiens Problems
One of the most common problems with impatiens flowers is wilting. This is usually due to moisture stress. These plants need to be kept consistently moist, but not soggy. Water stress can also cause leaf and flower/bud drop. In addition to watering, wilting can be a result of heat stress, especially if the plants are in too much sun. If feasible, they should be moved or grown in a shadier location. Other impatiens problems are due to fertilization. Although they require little in the way of fertilizer each spring, not enough may lead to mottled looking foliage. On the other hand, too much nitrogen can cause excessive growth and little to no blooms. If non-blooming is an issue, this is usually the problem. Adding phosphorus to the soil should help correct the issue and encourage blooming.
There are many pests that can affect impatiens flowers. Spider mites, mealybugs, aphids, and thrips are common and usually result in curled, distorted, or discolored leaves. Thrips will generally attack the flowers/buds of plants and may carry a virus that affects these annuals. Another pest on impatiens is the tarnished plant bug, which can lead to dwarfed and deformed flowers. When plants become wilted, begin dying, and appear to be cut at the stems, its likely due to cutworms. Neem oil is a safe and effective treatment for the majority of pest problems. Nematodes also attack these plants, which will look sickly, stunted, and wilted. Foliage may also turn yellow or bronze colored and slowly die. Plants need to be removed as well as the surrounding soil where these pests dwell. Solarizing plant beds and applying diluted fish emulsion when replanting will help keep them away.
There are several impatiens diseases, including fungal blights and rots, viruses, and bacterial wilt. Most fungal issues are a result of wet foliage or overcrowding. Leaf spots and rotting can signal fungal problems. Avoiding wet foliage and ensuring adequate spacing can help. Neem oil can also help treat fungal issues. Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus (INSV) can be a serious impatiens flower disease that is brought about by thrips. Also common is bacterial wilt, which is recognized by sudden wilting and collapse of plants, as well as oozing of stems when cut. Plants will eventually rot to the soil line and must be removed and discarded.
Spotting the Signs of Droopy Leaves
Crisp, curled leaves begging for a drink are a classic sign of underwatering. If your New Guinea Impatiens leaves have the texture of autumn leaves, its time to up the hydration game. Light green or yellow leaves that arent wilting? Thats your plant discreetly asking for more water.
Why Are My Impatiens Dying?
FAQ
How do I revive my impatiens?
If impatiens are beginning to wilt or the top inch of soil is dry, water the plant right away. They drink a lot of water. Otherwise, water in the morning so that any leaves that get wet have time to dry before the sun goes down. Watering at the plant’s base is best for keeping the foliage dry.
What does an overwatered impatiens look like?
Overwatering? Yellow leaves and mushy stems are a sign.
What is killing my impatiens plants?
Impatiens downy mildew is a fungus, Plasmopara obducens. Early symptoms are slightly yellowed or off-color leaves. Later, some flowers and leaves start to drop, and some of the leaf undersides turn white due to a coating of white spores.
Why are my impatiens wilting and dying all of?
Impatiens are exposed to too much sun, they will wilt and die almost instantly. Hence, it is crucial to provide them with a cool shady place and keep the soil moist but not overly wet. Plants display signs of unhappiness when they are given too little or too much water.
Why is my Impatiens wilting?
Below is a list of the most common problems gardeners encounter when growing impatiens plants: Aphids are small (2-4mm long) sap-sucking insects that congregate on the new shoots or the undersides of leaves. They can cause leaves to wilt or become discoloured, and also excrete honeydew which can attract ants and other insect pests.
Should I repot my Impatiens If I have root rot?
If your plant has root rot, you need to trim the affected roots off when you repot your plant. To ensure you do not have watering problems in the future, you need to keep to a watering schedule for your plant. Water your Impatiens plant when the first 2 inches of soil are dry.
Do Impatiens wilt or Die?
If you notice that your impatiens are wilting or dying, here are a few steps you can take to revive them: 1. Water your impatiens thoroughly. If your impatiens are suffering from moisture stress, the first step is to give them a good soaking. Water untl the soil is moist but not waterlogged.