Impatiens, with their vibrant colors and lush foliage, have been a favorite among gardeners and plant parents alike. But as with any plant, understanding their specific needs is crucial for their thriving. One key area of focus is temperature tolerance, an aspect that can make or break the success of growing these beauties.
In this article, well explore everything you need to know about how temperature affects impatiens. From ideal growing temperatures to handling extreme weather conditions, youll gain insights to ensure your impatiens remain healthy and vibrant all year round.
Impatiens are a popular annual flower known for their wide range of bright colors and ability to thrive in shady areas. However, these plants native to tropical climates can be quite sensitive to cold temperatures. If you’re considering growing impatiens, it’s important to understand their ideal temperature range and how to protect them from frost damage.
There are over 1000 species of impatiens, but two main types are commonly grown
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Standard impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) – Produce single or double blooms on 1-2 foot tall stems Prone to downy mildew disease
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New Guinea impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) – Larger more colorful blooms on 2-3 foot plants. Tend to be less susceptible to disease.
Both prefer warm weather and their succulent stems and delicate leaves are easily damaged by frost and freezing conditions. Even short exposures to temperatures below 35°F can cause irreparable harm.
Ideal Temperature Range for Impatiens
Impatiens thrive best with daytime temperatures from 60-75°F and nighttime lows above 55°F. Temperatures below 50°F will cause them to enter dormancy and stop flowering.
Specific guidelines:
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Daytime – 60-75°F is optimal, above 85°F can cause stress
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Nighttime – 55-65°F is preferred, not below 50°F
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Avoid frost and freezes – Can damage plants at 35°F and below
Fluctuating conditions outside this range can shock impatiens, so stable temperatures are best. Careful monitoring and adjustments are key for indoor plants.
Signs of Cold Damage
It doesn’t take much frost exposure for impatiens to show signs of distress:
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Leaves turn black or translucent
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Stems and leaves become limp and mushy
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Flowers quickly shrivel
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Entire plant collapses
Green parts may recover but cold damage usually leaves plants disfigured or weakened. It’s best to remove and discard any damaged parts to prevent rot.
Protecting Impatiens from Frost
While impatiens can’t survive freezing, you can protect them from light frosts:
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Cover with fabric row cover or fleece at night
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Use cloches or cold frames around plants
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Water well before frost to retain heat
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Move pots to sheltered areas like near house
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Harvest flowers to enjoy indoors
Avoid wetting foliage which can cause rot when temperatures drop below freezing.
Choosing Cold Tolerant Varieties
While standard impatiens struggle in cooler areas, some varieties have been bred to better handle low temperatures:
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Super Elfin XP Series – Tolerates cooler nights
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Patchwork impatiens- Withstands light frosts
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SunPatiens – Thrive in full sun and some cold
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Imara XDR – Bred for disease resistance and cold tolerance
These “cold tolerant” types are great choices for gardens in zones with marginal impatiens growing conditions.
Overwintering Impatiens Indoors
In colder zones, plan ahead to overwinter potted impatiens inside:
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Bring plants in well before first fall frost
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Gradually reduce watering to induce dormancy
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Provide bright, indirect light from south window
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Maintain cool temps around 60-65°F
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Cut back and remove dead growth
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Keep dormant until spring
Avoid repotting, feeding, and overwatering dormant plants. Monitor for pests like spider mites that thrive indoors.
Key Takeaways
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Impatiens prefer warm 60-75°F days and nights above 55°F
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Temperatures below 35°F often cause irreparable damage
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Protect from frost with covers, cloches and proper planting
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Choose cold tolerant varieties like SunPatiens and Imara
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Overwinter dormant plants indoors until spring
Understanding impatiens’ sensitivity to cold allows you to grow them successfully even in cooler climates. With the right care and preparation, their colorful blooms can brighten shady beds and containers throughout the frost-free season.
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Impatiens, with their vibrant colors and lush foliage, have been a favorite among gardeners and plant parents alike. But as with any plant, understanding their specific needs is crucial for their thriving. One key area of focus is temperature tolerance, an aspect that can make or break the success of growing these beauties.
In this article, well explore everything you need to know about how temperature affects impatiens. From ideal growing temperatures to handling extreme weather conditions, youll gain insights to ensure your impatiens remain healthy and vibrant all year round.
Creating a Temperature-Controlled Environment Indoors
Indoor plant lovers might find it easier to manage temperature conditions for impatiens. With a few adjustments, you can create an ideal growing environment inside your home.
Consider the following when setting up an indoor space:
- Temperature Monitoring: Use a digital thermometer to keep track of indoor temperatures. This helps in making timely adjustments.
- Humidity: Impatiens thrive in humid conditions. If your home is dry, especially during winter, using a humidifier can help.
- Location: Place impatiens away from drafts, vents, and direct heat sources. A spot with indirect light and consistent temperature is ideal.
Indoor gardening offers the advantage of controlled conditions, making it easier to provide the stable environment that impatiens need to flourish.
Will impatiens die in cold weather?
FAQ
Can impatiens handle 40 degrees?
- Cold Sensitivity: Impatiens are tender plants and cannot handle freezing temperatures. Even if they don’t freeze, they can suffer damage from chilling temperatures, which can lead to wilting and discoloration.
- Recommended Temperature Range: Impatiens thrive in temperatures between 65°F and 75°F.
- Frost Damage: Frost can cause impatiens to wilt, turn brown, and even die.
- Planting Time: It’s best to wait until after the last frost of spring and nighttime temperatures remain consistently at 50°F or higher before planting impatiens outdoors.
- Protection: If temperatures are expected to drop below 50°F, it’s recommended to bring impatiens indoors or provide some protection, such as covering them with a frost cloth.
When can I put impatiens outside?
Impatiens don’t tolerate cold temperatures so the best time for planting is after the last frost date when the soil temperatures warm. They start appearing in garden centers and big box stores in spring much to the delight of us gardening aficionados.
What is the coldest temperature for impatiens?
Also consider that outdoor container-grown impatiens require frequent watering, especially on hot summer days. Similar to flowerbed plants, outdoor-potted impatiens need filtered light, and they can freeze if the thermometer drops to 32 F or below.
What temperature can impatiens flower tolerate?
- Impatiens are not frost-tolerant and will be killed by even a light frost.
- They are generally considered tender and should be brought indoors or protected if overnight temperatures drop below 50°F (10°C).
- Cold stress can cause chilling injury, with symptoms including dark, greasy patches on leaves.
What temperature can Impatiens tolerate?
Impatiens can tolerate temperature drops up to 32 degrees Fahrenheit (0 degrees Celsius). Below this minimum level, the plant will start to develop frosts and die. At 36 degrees Fahrenheit (2 degrees Celsius), you might notice frosts that cause partial defoliation of the impatiens.
Can Impatiens survive cold weather?
Just because a nursery has plenty of impatiens plants, don’t be tempted to buy a bunch and bring them home if the weather isn’t yet warm enough. Impatiens simply won’t survive cold temperatures, so be sure overnight temperatures don’t dip below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Either be prepared for the impatiens to die or bring them indoors.
Should Impatiens be exposed to frost or freezing conditions?
Impatiens should not be exposed to frost or freezing conditions at any point. But what does this mean in terms of an actual temperature range? Ideally, temperatures should not drop below 40°F (4°C) for the healthiest impatiens plants. They enter dormancy below 50°F (10°C) to conserve energy.
What humidity levels do Impatiens need?
Impatiens thrive in high humidity environments, with an ideal range of 60% to 70%. To maintain this humidity, especially during dry periods or in arid climates, mist the plants or place a tray of water near them to increase ambient moisture levels.
What is the best temperature for New Guinea Impatiens?
New guinea impatiens thrive best with daytime high temperatures between 70-85°F (21-29°C). Nighttime lows should remain above 55°F (13°C), ideally in the 55-65°F (13-18°C) range. These tender tropical plants originate from the warmer, humid regions of New Guinea and adjacent Indonesia.
Can Impatiens grow in humid weather?
Impatiens are fine growing in humid weather. Impatiens will flower best if regularly fertilized with a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks throughout the spring and summer. Another option is a slow-release granular fertilizer used at the beginning of the spring and again halfway through the summer.