Whether you’re looking to brighten up your living room or add some curb appeal to your balcony, the “Busy Lizzie” (Impatiens) is a total rockstar. These hardworking bloomers start showing off their white, pink, purple, and red colors by late spring. If you want to turn your outdoor space into a literal sea of flowers, here’s everything you need to know.
Busy Lizzies Love the Shade
These easy-going plants aren’t huge fans of the spotlight—specifically, they need protection from harsh, direct midday sun. A spot with partial shade or even full shade is where the Busy Lizzie really thrives.
One quick tip: don’t rush them outside! Wait until the “Ice Saints” (or your local last frost date) have passed. Busy Lizzies are very sensitive to frost, so make sure the nights are consistently warm before they move to the balcony.
How to Care for Your Impatiens
When the weather heats up, these plants get thirsty—and I mean *really* thirsty. However, there’s a fine line between hydrated and drowned. They absolutely hate “wet feet” (standing water), so drainage is key.
Here’s how to keep them happy:
- Before you plant your Busy Lizzies in a pot or window box, create a drainage layer. Mix your potting soil with a bit of fine gravel to help water flow. I also like to place a large pebble or a piece of a broken clay pot over the drainage hole to keep it from getting clogged.
- Because they bloom so much, they need plenty of nutrients to keep the engine running. During the summer months, feed your plants every two weeks. You can use organic options like horn meal or just a standard liquid fertilizer for flowering plants.
- To keep the flower show going all summer long, you’ll want to do a little “deadheading” (pinching off faded blooms). Regular trimming encourages the plant to produce even more flowers.
Other than that, these low-maintenance beauties don’t ask for much!
Pro Decorating Tip
If you want to give your balcony some extra “wow” factor, don’t just stick to standard window boxes. Try using colorful ceramic pots or planters in various sizes. If you arrange them at different heights using plant stands or steps, you’ll create a multi-level floral display that will definitely make the neighbors jealous.
