If you’ve got a shady corner in your garden or struggle with little sun exposure on the whole, busy Lizzies might be the plant for you.
Also known as impatiens, these vibrant, low-maintenance bloomers are a go-to for gardeners who want reliable colour from spring all the way through summer – with minimal fuss.
Here’s everything you need to know to grow healthy, blooming busy Lizzies that will add tonnes of colour to your outdoor space.
Why gardeners love busy Lizzies
Busy Lizzies offer an easy way to inject your space with long-lasting colour, especially in spots where other flowers struggle. Here are a few reasons why these plants are so popular.
- Busy Lizzies thrive in partial to full shade
- They bloom continuously from spring through summer
- They’re versatile; they work beautifully in garden beds, borders, pots, hanging baskets and window boxes alike
- Busy Lizzies are a boon to pollinators and a surefire way to bring bees and butterflies to your space
- They're generally considered non-toxic to pets, though ingestion may cause mild stomach upset
- They came in many different hues, including pink, red, white, coral and purple
When to plant
Timing matters with these delicate plants. Always wait to plant until after the last chance of frost has passed. Avoid planting too early – busy Lizzies are very sensitive to cold weather. If temperatures dip, they can struggle or fail altogether.
Where to plant
Busy Lizzies are famously shade-loving plants. Choose a spot with partial shade, like under a tree or near a shrub and watch them thrive. Avoid spots in full sun, as too much exposure can scorch the delicate leaves. Some varieties tolerate more sun, but shade is still safest.
Soil
Busy Lizzies like well-draining soil that is rich in organic matter. It should be slightly acidic, between pH 6.0 and 6.5. It’s always a good idea to mix in compost before planting to help boost nutrients and drainage.
Watering
Consistency is key when it comes to watering. You want to keep the soil moist but not soggy, so wait to water until the top 1 to 2 inches of soil feel dry. Planted in containers or hanging baskets, busy Lizzies will likely need to be watered daily during hot summer days.
Pro tip: Always make sure pots have good drainage holes to prevent root rot and water in the morning so that the soil can dry during the day, which helps prevent fungal issues.
Fertiliser
To keep those flowers coming, feed your plant regularly. If your plant is in the ground, feed every four to six weeks with a water-soluble fertiliser. Increase feeding to every week or two for pots in containers.
Deadheading
If you want continuous flowers, be sure to remove any spent blooms. Pinch or cut away the wilted flower heads just above a leaf node to encourage the plant to produce new blooms instead of going to seed.
Common issues (and easy fixes)
Even easy plants have a few quirks. Here’s what to watch out for:
Leaves dropping? This could be a sign that your plant is not getting enough water. Increase watering frequency.
Eaten by critters? Small animals like rabbits love to munch on busy Lizzies. If you foresee this being a problem in your garden, grow them in hanging baskets so they are out of reach.
Signs of disease? Impatiens are susceptible to downy mildew. If you see it on your plant, treat it immediately (ask your local garden centre for the right treatment) as the disease can spread quickly.
Busy Lizzie edit
Busy Lizzie 'Beacon Mix'Impatiens walleriana
Charlyne Mattox is the Food and Crafts director with over 20 years recipe development, recipe editing, and crafting experience. Prior to starting at Country Living in 2014, she worked in the crafts department at Martha Stewart Living and Martha Stewart Kids before attending cooking school at the Institute of Culinary Education in New York City. She was nominated for a James Beard media award while a senior editor at Real Simple magazine and authored a cookbook Cooking with Seeds.
When not in the kitchen she loves to garden, focusing on growing flowers and kitchen herbs (of course), watering her 25 house plants, and knitting scarfs or hats she will never be able to wear in the always hot and steamy Alabama.
