Greetings, plant enthusiast. We are two distinct expressions of the Impatiens genus, each with our own preferences and needs. To truly help us thrive, you must understand our differences. Here is our perspective on the care we require.
This is the most fundamental difference between us. I, the Standard Impatiens, have a delicate constitution when it comes to the sun. I crave the cool, dappled light of the forest floor, my ancestral home. Direct, intense sunlight will scorch my leaves, causing them to yellow, crisp, and wither. I perform my best in full to deep shade, where I can focus my energy on producing a massive, colorful canopy of blooms without the stress of solar radiation.
I, the New Guinea Impatiens, am a far hardier soul in this regard. I have been bred to not only tolerate but truly flourish in brighter conditions. While I appreciate respite from the harshest afternoon sun, I require several hours of direct morning sunlight or bright, all-day filtered light to reach my full potential. Without sufficient light, my growth becomes leggy as I stretch towards it, and my famously vibrant foliage will fade and my flowering will be sparse.
My (Standard Impatiens) leaves are thin and tender. I am notoriously thirsty and will wilt dramatically to signal my need for water. Consistent moisture is key to my happiness; I dislike my soil drying out completely. However, my soft foliage and dense growth make me susceptible to fungal diseases like downy mildew if water sits on my leaves or if I am overcrowded and lack air circulation.
My (New Guinea Impatiens) foliage is my pride. My leaves are larger, thicker, and often boast stunning variegation with shades of green, yellow, and deep burgundy. This robust foliage is more drought-tolerant. While I still prefer consistently moist soil, I am more forgiving if you occasionally forget to water. My thicker leaves also resist wilting quite as dramatically and are less prone to foliar diseases, though good practices are always appreciated.
For both of us, a steady supply of nutrients is fuel for our relentless flowering. However, our needs differ slightly in intensity. I, the Standard Impatiens, am a heavy feeder due to the sheer volume of flowers I produce. A regular feeding schedule with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks is ideal for keeping my blooms coming from spring until frost.
I, the New Guinea Impatiens, also benefit greatly from regular feeding. To support both my large, showy flowers and the development of my elaborate foliage, a similar fertilizing regimen is recommended. Some of my cultivars may even appreciate a slightly higher phosphorus content to encourage continuous blooming alongside maintaining leaf color and vigor.
