We are the most common variety you will encounter, known for our mounding habit and prolific blooming nature. Our species, Impatiens walleriana, thrives indoors when provided with consistent moisture and bright, indirect light. Our succulent stems allow us to store water, but we greatly prefer not to dry out completely. We present our flowers just above our lush, green foliage, creating a vibrant canopy of color in shades of white, pink, red, violet, and salmon. We are phototropic, meaning our leaves and flowers will naturally bend toward the light source, so we appreciate a regular rotation to maintain a symmetrical shape. While we are tender perennials, we are often grown as annuals, but indoors we can provide cheerful blooms nearly year-round.
We, the New Guinea hybrids, offer a more dramatic architectural presence compared to our Busy Lizzie cousins. Our foliage is our first point of distinction; our leaves are often larger, lance-shaped, and can display stunning variegation in shades of deep green, burgundy, and vibrant yellow. Our stems are sturdier, and our flowers are significantly larger, often with a delightful sparkle or iridescence. We demand a bit more light to maintain our vibrant leaf colors and to produce our abundant blossoms, but we still vehemently oppose direct, scorching sun. We also prefer a consistently moist but exceptionally well-draining growing medium, as our roots are susceptible to rot in soggy conditions. Our overall larger size makes us a magnificent statement plant in a sunny indoor room.
We are a truly distinctive variety for the indoor gardener seeking something extraordinary. Our common names, Congo Cockatoo or Parrot Plant, come from our uniquely shaped flowers. We do not produce the typical flat-faced blooms; instead, we develop curved, horn-shaped nectarines that resemble a bird's beak or head, typically in a striking combination of red and yellow. We are a much larger, woody-stemmed species that can eventually grow into a small shrub indoors. We require very bright, indirect light and warm temperatures to thrive and flower. Our blooming is photoperiodic, meaning we are triggered to flower by specific day lengths, often putting on our best show from late winter into spring. We are a conversation piece unlike any other impatiens.
We are a robust hybrid series, developed for exceptional vigor and resilience. While bred for sun tolerance outdoors, we adapt wonderfully to the indoor environment due to our strong constitution. Our leaves are dark green and healthy, and we produce an incredible abundance of large flowers that can nearly obscure the foliage beneath. We are available in both mounding and spreading forms, making us versatile for tabletop displays or hanging baskets indoors. We are less susceptible to downy mildew, a common ailment of Impatiens walleriana, which makes us a lower-maintenance and more reliable choice. We will require more frequent watering and feeding than other varieties due to our rapid growth and heavy blooming habit, but we reward this care with a spectacular, long-lasting display.
