Busy Lizzie (Impatiens walleriana)
Care, watering, light and tips for Busy Lizzie on Floravia.
Quick facts
- Family: Balsaminaceae
- Difficulty: Moderate care
- Watering: every 3 days
- Light: Partial shade
- Temperature: 10–30 °C
- Toxicity: Toxic to pets
About Busy Lizzie
Impatiens walleriana, also known as Busy Lizzie or Balsam, is a popular annual plant celebrated for its abundant, vibrant flowers ranging from white to pink, red, orange, and purple. Its succulent stems and oval leaves form a dense mound, making it ideal for flowerbeds, borders, and hanging baskets in partial shade. It brings a cheerful and continuous splash of color to the garden or balcony throughout the warm season.
Native range
East Africa (Tanzania and Mozambique)
Care tips
It prefers partial to full shade, as direct sun can scorch its leaves and flowers. It requires consistent and ample watering, keeping the soil moist but not waterlogged, especially during warm periods. Use a rich, well-draining potting mix. A common mistake is allowing the soil to dry out completely, which can lead to rapid and irreversible wilting.
How to save a dying Busy Lizzie
- Warning signs
- Drooping, wilting, yellowing leaves, or brown spots. Flower and bud drop.
- First aid
- Check soil moisture. If dry, water deeply. If waterlogged, repot with fresh soil. Move out of direct sun.
- What kills it
- Extreme over or under-watering. Strong direct sun burning its delicate leaves. Low temperatures.
- Can it be saved?
- Yes! They are quite resilient. Act quickly at first signs and it will recover.