Why Are My Impatiens Losing Leaves?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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One of the most common problems with impatiens flowers is

wilting

. This is usually due to moisture stress. … Water stress can also cause leaf and flower/bud drop. In addition to watering, wilting can be a result of heat stress, especially if the plants are in too much sun.

How do I revive my impatiens plant?

These plants are extremely sensitive to improper watering. They wilt quickly but usually

revive if watered soon after wilting

. Fertilize: New Guinea impatiens will benefit from an application of slow-release fertilizer when planted or a light feeding every two weeks with a balanced water soluble fertilizer.

Why are my impatiens thinning out?

Impatiens

can begin to look leggy and worn out when temperatures rise in midsummer

. Spindly plants benefit from drastic pruning, cutting the stems down to about 3 inches above the ground. … However, a good pruning stimulates new growth and soon opens up buds along the plant’s lower stem.

How often should impatiens be watered?

Impatiens plants in containers will need watering daily, and

watering twice a day when temperatures rise above 85 degrees F

. (29 C.). Impatiens flowers do best if fertilized regularly. Use water soluble fertilizer on your impatiens every two weeks through spring and summer.

Why are my impatiens leaves turning yellow and falling off?


Over-watering impatiens may cause leaves to turn yellow

. To prevent this, keep the soil moist between waterings. Alternatively, too little water may cause impatiens’ leaves to turn yellow as well. If the soil is dry and yellow leaves appear, it’s time to water the impatiens.

What is killing my impatiens?

The bad news is that your impatiens were probably killed by a fungus-like disease called

downy mildew

. The disease remains in the soil, so you should plan on planting something different in that spot next year.

What happens if impatiens get too much water?

Soil that stays too wet causes seedlings to sometimes damp off. These plants are susceptible to water mold (Plasmopara obducens), often called downy mildew, causing

stunting, leaf drop, bloom drop and rot

.

Are coffee grounds good for impatiens?

Coffee grounds are a

good source of slow-release nitrogen

, but are also acidic (3.0-5.0 pH). When using them as a side dressing, concentrate on acid-loving plants such as blueberries, raspberries, rhododendrons, azaleas, hibiscus, begonias, caladiums, impatiens, gardenias, citrus (in pots), heathers and most conifers.

Do impatiens like sun or shade?

Impatiens perform best in moist, well

-drained soils in partial shade

. Sites that receive 2 to 4 hours of filtered sun during the day or morning sun and afternoon shade are usually ideal. Impatiens can also be grown in heavy shade. However, plants will be taller and bloom less profusely in heavily shaded locations.

How do you know when impatiens need water?

The plants need watering when

the top 1 inch of soil begins to dry

but before the root zone dries out completely. Supplying about 1 inch of water once a week is usually enough, but the plants may require more frequent watering if the soil dries out more quickly. Impatiens in containers need more frequent watering.

What is the best fertilizer for impatiens?

Perennial varieties require fertilization each spring after growth resumes, and they also benefit from additional applications every six to eight weeks throughout the growing season. You can use any all-purpose, balanced fertilizer,

such as a 13-13-13 or 10-10-10 blend

.

How do you care for potted impatiens?

  1. The most important thing to remember about impatiens plants is to water them regularly. Keep them moist, but not too wet. If the plants dry out, they will lose their leaves. If you over-water the plants, this could encourage fungal diseases.
  2. Remember container plants will need more water.

How do you deadhead impatiens?

Grasp the plant

1/4 inch below the bloom

with the thumb and forefinger and pinch the entire bloom off the plant. Discard the detached flower.

Why are the leaves on my impatiens turning brown?


Too much sun and heat cause impatiens to wilt

, flower poorly or die. Impatiens require cool weather and bright but indirect light. Intense sun can cause sunburn, which results in scorched leaf tips or yellow and brown spots on the foliage.

Why are my New Guinea impatiens leaves turning brown?

Sunburn, environmental. When planted in full sun, many cultivars of New Guinea impatiens develop

a marginal necrosis or brown patches

on the leaves. This disease is generally not very serious and can be avoided by not planting susceptible cultivars in full sun.

What do diseased impatiens look like?

The usual first sign is stunted growth along with leaves that start to yellow, wilt and curl. A telltale sign is

a whitish-gray coating on the leaf undersides

. As the disease progresses – often within a matter of weeks – the plants go completely limp and die.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.