New Guinea Impatiens Growth and Care Guide

New Guinea Impatiens are vibrant, show-stopping flowers known for their bold blooms and lush foliage. Unlike traditional Impatiens, they thrive in partial sun and bring continuous color to gardens and containers throughout the warm season. This Plant Guide will walk you through everything you need to know about growing and caring for New Guinea Impatiens. We also highlight the best Varieties and share tips on how to use them effectively in containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds.

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By Reggie Meehan (10/3/2025)

Introduction to New Guinea Impatiens

New Guinea Impatiens (Impatiens hawkeri) are among the most popular flowering plants for gardeners who want season-long color in both shade containers and shade garden beds. A native of Papua New Guinea and the Solomon Islands, these tropical beauties belong to the Balsaminaceae family and are cherished for their showy flowers, glossy foliage, and ability to resist downy mildew disease that affects traditional shade Impatiens (Impatiens walleriana).

Their name comes from the same Latin root as other Impatiens—impatiens, meaning “impatient”—a reference to their seed pods that burst when touched. Unlike common shade Impatiens, however, New Guinea Impatiens produce larger flowers, striking leaf patterns, and are resistant to downy mildew, making them a reliable choice for modern gardens.

Every year (or nearly every year), I plant New Guinea Impatiens in my full shade backyard because it is the only reliable continuously blooming, full-shade mounding option.Think about it. In the world of full shade gardens, you have very limited options. And, with New Guinea’s, their oversized blooms bring color into darkness which everyone needs. They will always be my favorite recommendation for anyone wanting nonstop blooms in dark places. The only question you have to ask yourself is “What color this year?”

Characteristics of New Guinea Impatiens

New Guinea Impatiens are prized for their bright, long-lasting flowers that can thrive in partial to full shade. These plants are known for their mounded growth habit, making them ideal for containers, and ground cover. Their blooms, typically five-petaled, create a lush, colorful display in any garden setting. 

Size and Growth Habit

New Guinea Impatiens typically grow 12–24 inches tall with a similar spread. They have a tidy, mounding to slightly spreading growth habit, making them well-suited for specimen plants, mixed beds, and decorative containers. Unlike common shade Impatiens, which tend to trail and mound more loosely, New Guinea Impatiens maintain a more structured form, which gives them a bold presence in garden displays.

Leaves and Flowers

The foliage of New Guinea Impatiens is one of their standout features. Leaves are elongated, lance-shaped, and glossy, often appearing in deep green, bronze, or even variegated patterns. This lush foliage adds beauty.

The flowers are larger than traditional shade Impatiens, often 2–3 inches across, and come in brilliant shades of red, pink, lavender, orange, and white. Many modern varieties feature unique bicolors and eye-catching contrasts, as well as variegated or bronze foliage. Blooming begins in late spring and continues until frost, ensuring continuous displays of color.

Recent innovations include ruffled/frilly edges on blooms and a trailing varieties  perfect for hanging baskets. Of course, the bicolors and halos and colored-eye varieties are the bomb.

Are New Guinea Impatiens Annual or Perennial?

New Guinea Impatiens are generally grown as annuals in most climates, as they cannot tolerate frost. They are planted after the last frost and should continue blooming until the first freeze. However, in USDA Hardiness Zones 10–11, they can be treated as tender perennials and bloom nearly year-round with proper care. Some gardeners also overwinter them indoors as houseplants, enjoying their colorful flowers through the cooler months.

Best Varieties of New Guinea Impatiens

Wow, was it difficult to choose the best New Guineau’s and make recommendations. Our usual reliable database of trial tests only includes newer series, whereas the older more popular series which have been around forever have not been trial tested. And, our database of online search popularity did not help either, as no series was more prevalent in search engines requests. Consequently, we had to evaluate based solely on experience and grower preferences and a few other factors. 

Petticoat® Series

Known for dramatic, dark foliage and bold flower color, the Petticoat® Series adds depth and contrast to shade plantings and containers. The richly colored leaves create a striking backdrop that makes the vibrant blooms stand out even more, giving plantings a bold, high-end look.

• Petticoat® Dark Red – Deep, velvety red blooms paired with nearly black foliage for maximum contrast.

• Petticoat® Red Star – Striking red flowers with a lighter star pattern that really pops against the dark leaves.

• Petticoat® Pink Berry – Rich pink blooms that soften the dark foliage while still delivering strong color impact.

• Petticoat® White Wonder – Clean white flowers that glow in shade and create a high-contrast, upscale look.

Sonic® Series

The Sonic® Series is valued for its vigorous growth, excellent branching, and reliable performance in heat and humidity. These varieties maintain a uniform, well-mounded habit, making them especially effective for mass plantings, borders, and large containers. Sonic® Salmon offers warm, glowing color that pairs beautifully with both dark- and light-foliage plants, while Sonic® Light Lavender brings a softer, pastel tone that still delivers strong, consistent flowering throughout the season.

How to Grow and Care for New Guinea Impatiens

New Guinea Impatiens are tropical favorites known for their oversized blooms, glossy foliage, and ability to thrive in partial sun to shade. With the right balance of moisture, light, and nutrients, these vibrant plants provide nonstop color from spring until frost.

Planting New Guinea Impatiens

Plant New Guinea Impatiens after the last frost. Space plants 12–24 inches apart, depending on the plant’s mature spread, to allow good air circulation. Plant at the same depth as in their nursery containers, water thoroughly, and apply a layer of mulch to retain soil moisture. For best results, prepare the soil by loosening it 8–10 inches deep before planting, which helps roots establish more quickly.

Sunlight Requirements

Unlike traditional Impatiens that demand shade, New Guinea Impatiens can thrive in partial sun but will also handle full shade. They handle morning sun well but appreciate protection from the intense afternoon sun, especially in hot climates. SunPatiens and full sun varieties, which are discussed on another page, are bred for more direct sunlight and can thrive in brighter exposures. 

When grown in full shade, New Guinea Impatiens may produce fewer flowers and become more leggy. The ideal location balances 3–5 hours of direct morning sun with dappled or filtered light for the rest of the day.

Soil Requirements

These plants prefer rich, well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0–6.5. Mixing in compost or peat moss improves moisture retention and fertility. They dislike heavy, waterlogged soils, so raised beds or containers with drainage holes are ideal. Adding perlite or coarse sand can further improve aeration and reduce the risk of root rot. A 1-2 inch layer of organic mulch also helps regulate soil temperature while maintaining consistent moisture.

Watering Needs

Consistent moisture is key. Keep soil evenly moist but never soggy. Container-grown plants often require daily watering during hot weather. Mulching helps keep roots cool and reduces water stress. Check moisture regularly by feeling the top inch of soil; if it’s dry, water thoroughly until excess drains out the bottom. During extreme heat, if you need to water more than once daily, you need to buy a bigger pot. 

Fertilizer Needs

Feed every 2–3 weeks with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer (e.g., 10-10-10) for maximum flowering. Slow-release fertilizers at planting provide steady nutrition. Avoid high nitrogen levels, which encourage foliage over flowers. For best results, alternate between a balanced formula and one slightly higher in phosphorus to support abundant blooms. Fertilizing regularly also helps replace nutrients lost through frequent watering in containers.

Pruning & Deadheading

New Guinea Impatiens are self-cleaning, so deadheading is unnecessary. However, due to the large size of the bloom, the spent blooms often fall on the leaves, causing the leaves to become discolored and susceptible to botritis. Remove spent blooms from foliage regularly to avoid this problem.

If plants become leggy, pinch stems back by one-third to encourage bushier growth and fresh blooms. Regular trimming of yellowing or damaged leaves improves airflow and reduces the chance of disease. Light pruning every few weeks can keep plants looking neat and compact throughout the season.

Overwintering

In cold regions, bring potted plants indoors before frost. Place them in bright, indirect light and reduce watering to avoid root rot. Fertilizer should be withheld until active growth resumes in spring. Trim plants back slightly before bringing them indoors to make handling easier and encourage healthy regrowth. If kept in too little light indoors, supplemental grow lights may be necessary to maintain plant vigor.

Common Pests

Mites are the most common pest for New Guinea Impatiens. If your plant is failing to thrive and flower, it is likely caused by mites. Neem oil is organic and one of the best over the counter controls for mites. Occasionally and less commonly, aphids may be a problem. For aphids, insecticidal soap is the best solution. 

If spraying for pests is necessary, you must coat the underside of the leaves thoroughly because all pests are found UNDER the leaves. Note that New Guinea Impatiens blooms are susceptible to discoloration, so be prepared to remove blooms to get rid of the ugly taint caused by overspray.

Common Diseases

New Guinea Impatiens are not susceptible to common diseases. In the late fall when dew forms, there may be incidences of powdery mildew but this is rare for New Guineas. 

Common Mistakes

New Guinea Impatiens do not recover well when they are allowed to dry out. However, they also do not like to be overwatered. Consequently, finding the perfect medium is necessary to avoid problems. Another mistake deals with uncontrolled growth. You can periodically pinch one branch every 3 weeks to promote growth and blooming. However, if you fail to do this, in July, it is worthwhile to trim back all branches of your New Guinea Impatiens to promote controlled growth and blooming. Failing to trim your branches will result in so seriously ugly growth in some cases.

Common Misconceptions

Many gardeners believe New Guinea Impatiens require full shade, but most actually perform better with morning sun or filtered light. 

Using New Guinea Impatiens in the Garden

New Guinea Impatiens are versatile flowers that can enhance any garden with their bright colors and lush foliage. Their adaptability to shaded areas and ability to bloom continuously throughout the season make them a popular choice for a variety of garden settings. From garden borders to hanging baskets, Impatiens provide color and texture where other plants may struggle.

Borders and Edges

New Guinea Impatiens are ideal for edging shaded garden beds, providing a clean, polished look. Their compact, mounding growth habit creates a tidy border that naturally defines pathways, driveways, or flower beds. The vivid blooms, which come in a range of vibrant colors and ever-popular white, offer eye-catching curb appeal and brighten up even the shadiest areas. Their continuous flowering throughout the growing season ensures consistent color at the edge of any garden space.

Containers and Hanging Baskets

New Guinea Impatiens thrive in containers and hanging baskets, bringing bursts of color to patios, porches, and balconies. Their lush, bushy growth habit allows them to fill pots gracefully, creating a stunning effect. Because they can be easily moved, container-grown Impatiens provide flexibility for garden design and allow for easy repositioning to areas with optimal light and protection from harsh weather. Their ability to bloom non-stop from late spring to first frost makes them a long-lasting feature in container displays.

Mass Plantings

When planted in mass groupings, New Guinea Impatiens create a vibrant, low-maintenance solution that transforms shaded areas into bright pops of color. Their dense foliage and constant blooms fill in gaps between larger plants or shrubs, providing a lush, uniform appearance. New Guinea Impatiens' spreading habit helps suppress weeds while offering long-lasting color throughout the growing season. Their ability to thrive in shade makes them an essential addition to areas of darkened gardens where a continual pop of color is needed.

New Guinea Impatiens Brighten Gardens

Looking to grow New Guinea Impatiens in your garden? At Garden Delivery, we offer premium, top-quality plants that bring vivid color and lush tropical foliage to shady and partly sunny areas alike. From rich reds and pinks to glowing oranges and whites, our New Guinea Impatiens are bred for performance, resilience, and beauty. Perfect for beds, borders, containers, or hanging baskets, these flowers thrive with minimal care and bloom nonstop from Spring to frost.