The Busy Lizzie (or Impatiens, as many of us call them) is easily one of the most popular plants in the garden. And honestly, it’s no surprise! These little powerhouses really live up to their name, blooming non-stop from May all the way through autumn. Under the right conditions, they’ll even create a stunning carpet of color in your flower beds. But what happens when the weather turns chilly? Here’s everything you need to know about getting your Busy Lizzies through the winter.
Bring them inside before it hits 50°F
In most climates, Busy Lizzies just won’t survive a frost outdoors. Because they aren’t hardy, most gardeners treat them as annuals and toss them at the end of the season. But you don’t have to! You can totally keep them going for years if you bring them inside. If yours are in pots or hanging baskets, they might even keep blooming right through the winter indoors.
Here are two things to keep in mind before moving day:
- Once the outdoor temperature drops below 50°F (10°C), it’s time to head inside. If yours are planted in the ground, you’ll need to carefully dig them up and pot them.
- Before you bring them through the front door, give them a good once-over for diseases or pests. You definitely don’t want any hitchhikers spreading to your other houseplants!
Finding the perfect winter spot
To keep your Busy Lizzie happy until spring, you need to find a spot that mimics what it likes. Here’s the checklist for the perfect winter home:
- Look for a spot that is bright and cool with partial sun. Unheated spare rooms, sunrooms, or even a bright hallway or stairwell work great.
- Aim for temperatures between 55°F and 60°F (12-16°C). You don’t want it to drop below 50°F.
- Avoid keeping them in a room that’s too warm. If it feels like summer indoors, the plant will grow “leggy”—long, weak stems that just don’t look very pretty.
- Light is key! They need as much natural light as possible.
- Skip the dark basement; they won’t survive without light.
To help your plant thrive during the dry winter months, try to keep the humidity up. A quick misting with lukewarm water every now and then does wonders. You can take a total break from fertilizing for now, and while you should cut back on watering, make sure the root ball never completely dries out.
Once spring rolls around and the winter dormancy is over, you can prune your plant back by up to two-thirds. Just make sure to use a sharp pair of shears so you don’t crush the stems. After its haircut, it’s a great time to repot your plant. Once the danger of frost has passed in May, your Busy Lizzie is ready to head back outside!
