Impatiens are often treated as annuals in cooler climates, but they are tropical perennials that will continue to live if protected from frost. Overwintering them allows you to preserve your favorite plants, which offers a head start on next year’s garden display. This practice ensures the plant survives the cold rest period until favorable outdoor conditions return.
Preparing the Plants for Indoor Survival
Move your impatiens indoors before nighttime temperatures consistently drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit, well in advance of the first hard frost. Cold temperatures in the low 40s can cause significant wilting and damage. If your plants are growing in the ground, carefully dig them up and transfer them to a suitable container using fresh potting soil.
Before the plant crosses the threshold of your home, prepare it to manage its size and prevent pest infestations. Prune the plant back significantly, removing about one-third to one-half of the existing growth. This cutback prepares the plant for the lower light conditions it will face over the winter months.
A thorough inspection for hitchhiking insects is mandatory to protect your other houseplants. Examine the stems and the undersides of the leaves for common pests like aphids or spider mites. A strong blast of water can dislodge many insects, and you can follow this with a treatment of insecticidal soap before settling the plant into its winter location.
Essential Winter Care Requirements
Once inside, the impatiens’ needs shift significantly as the goal moves from blooming to simple survival. Impatiens require the brightest indirect light you can provide, often from a south, east, or west-facing window. Supplemental grow lights may be necessary to prevent the plant from becoming leggy and weak since natural light intensity is much lower in winter.
Indoor temperature should ideally be cool, ranging between 50 and 65 degrees Fahrenheit. This helps facilitate a semi-dormant state where the plant’s metabolic rate slows. Keep the plant away from cold drafts or direct heat sources like radiators, which can cause leaf drop or excessive drying.
Watering routines must be drastically reduced from the daily needs of summer container gardening. Only water your impatiens when the top inch of soil feels completely dry to the touch. Overwatering is the most common cause of failure, as the plant’s reduced activity makes it highly susceptible to root rot. You should also withhold all fertilizer throughout the winter.
Spring Transition: Moving Plants Back Outdoors
When spring arrives, the process of moving the impatiens back outside must be gradual to prevent shock. Wait until all danger of frost has passed and nighttime temperatures are consistently above 50 degrees Fahrenheit. Moving a plant directly into the harsh spring sun and wind will cause severe leaf burn and wilting.
The process is called “hardening off,” which slowly reacquaints the plant with outdoor elements. Start by placing the impatiens in a heavily shaded, sheltered outdoor location for just a few hours a day, bringing it back inside each evening. Over a period of 7 to 10 days, gradually increase the amount of time the plant spends outside.
Once the impatiens has been hardened off and remains outdoors full-time, resume normal summer care practices. Begin a light fertilization schedule and return to the frequent watering necessary for a plant actively growing in a container. This ensures the plant is robust enough to thrive and provide continuous color throughout the next growing season.