Common garden impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) are known for their vibrant, prolific blooms in shady areas. For most gardeners, the direct answer to whether they come back every year is no. Botanically, the plant is classified as a tender perennial, meaning its lifespan extends beyond a single growing season only when conditions are consistently warm. Outside of tropical or subtropical regions, gardeners must replant them annually.
The Annual vs. Perennial Status
Impatiens do not return in most regions because they originate in tropical East Africa, where they grow year-round. As a tender perennial, the plant cannot tolerate freezing temperatures; even a light frost is enough to kill it. This sensitivity dictates their usage as seasonal bedding plants across temperate zones.
Impatiens require consistently warm soil and air temperatures, ideally above 50°F (10°C). They only survive the winter naturally in USDA Hardiness Zones 10 and 11, such as frost-free areas of Florida, Hawaii, and coastal California. In cooler zones, the plant’s life cycle is cut short by the first freezing temperatures of autumn. Gardeners treat them as annuals, planting them after the last spring frost and accepting their demise in the fall.
How to Overwinter Impatiens Indoors
Gardeners can successfully overwinter impatiens indoors using two main methods. The first involves bringing the entire plant inside before the first forecast of frost. Before moving it, prune the plant back by about one-third to make it manageable and encourage bushier growth in the spring. Thoroughly inspect the plant for pests like whiteflies or spider mites, which can spread to other houseplants.
Once inside, the perennial impatiens requires a location with bright, indirect sunlight, such as a south-facing window or under supplemental grow lights. The indoor temperature should remain above 55°F (13°C) to maintain steady growth. Watering frequency must be reduced significantly during the winter months, allowing the top layer of soil to dry slightly between waterings, and fertilizer should be withheld.
The second method for overwintering is taking stem cuttings to propagate new plants. In late summer or early fall, take four to six-inch cuttings from healthy, non-woody parts of the stem. Remove all lower leaves, and pinch off any flowers or buds so the plant directs energy toward root production. These cuttings readily root in a glass of water or a pot filled with moist potting mix, providing new plants for the following spring.
Addressing Different Impatiens Varieties
The classification of Impatiens walleriana as a tender perennial extends to other popular varieties, including New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) and SunPatiens. New Guinea Impatiens are distinguished by their larger leaves and slightly increased tolerance for sun. They share the same fundamental inability to survive freezing temperatures and are reliably perennial only in the warmest climates.
SunPatiens are a modern hybrid cross, specifically bred to thrive in full sun and high heat. Despite their robust growth, this variety remains a tender perennial, requiring indoor protection or replacement in climates that experience winter frost. All commercially available impatiens varieties must be treated as annuals in cooler zones or brought indoors to survive the winter.