From our perspective as New Guinea Impatiens (*Impatiens hawkeri*), we are a vibrant and floriferous species that can indeed thrive indoors, but our success is entirely dependent on you replicating the specific conditions of our preferred environment. It is a different existence from living outdoors, but with careful attention to our core needs, we can flourish and provide you with continuous blooms.
Light is our lifeblood; it is the energy source for everything we do, from growing new leaves to producing our brilliantly colored flowers. While we are often marketed for shade outdoors, indoors is a different story. The light filtering through a window is significantly less intense than even shaded outdoor light. To photosynthesize effectively and bloom profusely, we require a very bright location. An east-facing window that provides several hours of gentle morning sun is ideal. A south or west-facing window can also work, but you must monitor us for signs of scorching on our leaves—we may need to be pulled back from the direct, hot afternoon sun. Without this high light intensity, we will become leggy, stretching weakly towards the light source, and our flowering will drastically reduce or cease altogether.
Our relationship with water is delicate. We have succulent stems and prefer consistently moist soil, but we are highly susceptible to root rot if left sitting in water. You must provide us with a pot that has excellent drainage and water us thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Allow the excess water to drain away completely—never let us sit in a saucer of water. Equally important is the humidity of the air. Most indoor environments, especially those with air conditioning or heating, are too dry for our liking. Low humidity stresses us, making our leaves crispy and brown at the edges and inviting pests like spider mites. Please increase humidity around us by grouping us with other plants, placing our pot on a pebble tray filled with water, or occasionally misting our leaves.
The medium in which we grow defines our root health. We require a well-aerated, peat-based potting mix that retains moisture but also drains exceptionally well. A standard potting soil amended with perlite or vermiculite is suitable. Our container must have drainage holes. As heavy bloomers, we are also heavy feeders. The nutrients in our potting mix are quickly depleted. To support our continuous floral display, you must provide us with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half-strength. Feed us every two weeks during our primary growing season (spring and summer). In the lower-light winter months, you can reduce feeding as our growth slows.
We prefer the same comfortable temperatures that you do. A consistent room temperature between 65°F and 75°F (18°C - 24°C) is perfect. Protect us from drafts, both cold from windows in winter and hot from heating vents. To maintain our compact, bushy shape and encourage more branching and flowers, we require regular deadheading. Simply pinch off the spent flowers and any yellowing leaves. This directs energy back into producing new growth and blooms rather than seed production. Periodically pinching back the tips of our stems will also promote a fuller, more attractive shape.
