Why Are My Impatiens Dying? How to Diagnose and Treat Common Problems

Impatiens, also known as busy lizzies, are a popular annual flower grown for their colorful blooms that brighten up gardens and landscapes. However these plants can sometimes develop problems that lead to wilting leaf drop, failure to thrive, and even death. Read on to learn the most common reasons why impatiens die and what you can do to get your plants healthy again.

Overview of Impatiens

Before jumping into impatiens problems, let’s do a quick overview of these plants. There are hundreds of impatiens species, but most garden varieties are hybrids derived from Impatiens walleriana. These impatiens are native to East Africa and were introduced to Europe in the 1800s. They are now grown worldwide as an annual flower.

Some key facts about impatiens:

• Grow 8-24 inches tall with a spreading, mounded form. Produce flowers in shades of white, pink, red, orange, purple and more.

• Thrive in shade and do poorly in full sun. Require constantly moist soil.

• Can be grown from seed but are more commonly purchased as bedding plants and transplanted after the last frost.

• Bloom continuously from spring to fall in ideal conditions. Provide nearly nonstop color in shady garden beds.

Environmental Problems

Issues with lighting, watering, temperature, or fertilization are common reasons for impatiens to struggle. Here are some cultural problems to watch for:

Improper Sun Exposure

Too much sun is the number one cause of impatiens dying. These plants naturally grow in shady forest environments and cannot tolerate more than a couple hours of direct sunlight daily. Exposure to hot afternoon sun will quickly cause wilting, scorched leaves, and death. Make sure to grow impatiens in a site with partial shade or dappled sunlight. Morning sun is better than afternoon.

Under or Overwatering

Impatiens need consistently moist soil to thrive. Allowing the soil to dry out will cause wilting, yellowing leaves, bud drop, and decline. On the flip side, soggy soil can lead to root rot. Aim to water impatiens daily or every other day during warm weather so the soil is never bone dry or saturated.

Temperature Extremes

Hot weather above 85°F (29°C) can cause impatiens to wilt. Move pots to a shadier spot or consider using more heat tolerant New Guinea impatiens. Cold nights below 55°F (13°C) will damage impatiens. Cover or move plants indoors if frost is expected.

Improper Fertilization

While impatiens are light feeders, inadequate nutrition can lead to yellowing leaves and reduced flowering. Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. On the other hand, excess nitrogen from fertilizer may cause lush foliage but fewer blooms.

Pest Problems

Like most plants, impatiens can fall victim to insect and mite pests. Common culprits include:

Aphids

These tiny sap-sucking insects cluster on stems and the undersides of leaves. Heavy aphid populations cause yellowing, distorted growth, and honeydew residue. Blast off pests with water or use insecticidal soap sprays.

Spider Mites

Microscopic spider mites suck juices from leaves, causing stippling, discoloration and leaf drop. These pests thrive in hot, dry conditions. Try insecticidal soap or neem oil treatments.

Thrips

Thrips rasp and feed on flower buds and leaves, resulting in deformed blooms and silvered, dried out foliage. Yellow sticky traps help monitor these fast-moving insects. Spray affected plants with neem oil or spinosad.

Whiteflies

Clouds of tiny whiteflies taking flight when disturbed signals an infestation. These sap feeders cause yellow stippled leaves and honeydew buildup. Use insecticidal soap, neem oil, or horticultural oils to manage whiteflies.

Be vigilant for signs of pests like honeydew, stippling, or insects flying up when you disturb the plants. Take action quickly to keep populations in check before major damage occurs.

Diseases of Impatiens

Fungal, bacterial and viral diseases can also lead to impatiens decline. Common problems include:

Downy Mildew

This fungal disease causes yellowing leaves, leaf drop, and gray fuzzy growth on leaf undersides during cool, wet weather. Infected plants collapse rapidly. Immediately remove and destroy affected plants to avoid spreading.

Root and Stem Rot

Overwatering impatiens leads to fungal or bacterial rots that cause wilting, root decay, and eventual death. Improve drainage and avoid excessive watering to reduce disease risk. Space plants properly to allow air circulation.

Impatiens Necrotic Spot Virus

This virus transmitted by thrips causes ringspots, mottling, wilting and dieback. Unfortunately there is no cure for infected plants, which must be pulled up and discarded. Control thrips to limit spread.

Bacterial Leaf Spot

Angular brown spots and blotches form on leaves and stems in wet conditions. Prune affected growth and avoid overhead watering. Apply copper fungicide sprays as a preventative measure.

Promptly remove any impatiens showing signs of fungal or bacterial diseases to prevent infection of healthy plants nearby. When planting new impatiens, choose resistant varieties and space properly to allow air flow.

Other Causes of Decline

Here are a few other common reasons for impatiens failure besides pests, disease, and growing conditions:

Old Plants

As impatiens plants age, the number and size of flowers decreases. Most gardeners treat impatiens as annuals and replace them each year for maximum flowering. Old plants often collapse by midsummer.

Poor Drainage

Impatiens planted in low spots or heavy clay soil that doesn’t drain well are prone to root rot and decline. Choose a well-draining planting site or grow impatiens in raised beds or containers.

Root Disturbance

Impatiens have delicate root systems that don’t recover well from disturbance. Allowing plants to dry out or transplanting after they’ve established often causes wilting and death. Handle new plants carefully.

Damage from Slugs or Cutworms

These garden pests chew through stems and leaves, causing healthy plants to topple over and die overnight. Pick off any slugs after watering and wrap susceptible seedlings with aluminum foil or copper tape to deter cutworms.

How to Revive Dying Impatiens

Catching impatiens problems early maximizes the chances of nursing plants back to health. Here are tips for reviving dying impatiens:

• Move plants to a shadier location to prevent further sun scorch damage.

• Improve drainage and amend soil with compost to avoid overwatering issues.

• Apply fertilizer to stimulate new growth if plants are nutrient deficient.

• Prune off badly damaged leaves, stems, or flowers to improve appearance.

• Identify and control any pests or diseases. Discard infected plants promptly.

• Transplant distressed plants to fresh potting mix or garden soil to encourage new root growth.

• Cut back leggy plants halfway to promote bushier regrowth. Pinch off wilted flowers.

With quick intervention, mildly stressed impatiens may rebound with tender loving care. But discard any plants that are badly infested with pests or afflicted with diseases to prevent spreading problems further.

How to Avoid Future Impatiens Problems

While occasional impatiens troubles are inevitable, you can prevent or minimize issues by providing proper care:

• Select resistant varieties less prone to disease. Look for vigorous plants from reputable nurseries.

• Plant impatiens in areas with partial shade and fertile, well-draining soil. Morning sun is ideal.

• Space plants appropriately to allow air circulation and prevent overcrowding.

• Water thoroughly when the soil dries out but avoid saturating the soil.

• Apply a balanced fertilizer every few weeks during active growth.

• Monitor regularly for signs of pests or diseases and take prompt action.

• Replace old plants with fresh ones each year to maximize flowering.

• In fall, discard plants at the first sign of decline to prevent pest and disease issues from overwintering.

Impatiens are one of the most popular flowers for shady gardens, but they can be temperamental at times. By understanding what causes these plants to fail and taking steps to meet their preferences for light, water and care, you can avoid many common demise scenarios. Pay close attention and intervene promptly at the first sign of problems to restore your impatiens to health. With extra diligence, you can continue enjoying these colorful blooms all season long.

Overwatered impatiens can exhibit several key signs: yellowing or browning leaves, wilting even with wet soil, and a mushy, foul-smelling base or roots due to root rot.