Impatiens arguta – Flowering plants

Impatiens arguta is a gorgeous semi-shrubby vigorous perennial plant that grows 38-48 inches tall and wide. It has alternately arranged, ovate or ovate-elliptic leaves, carried on 1-4 cm long stalks, and the leaf margins are sharply toothed, and the tip is pointed or tapering. It produces funnel or tubular-shaped, lavender-blue flowers with an orange-yellow spotted white throat and a hooked yellow distal spur. The blossoms hang below the deep green, serrated foliage from tiny delicate, inconspicuous stems. The flowers are used medicinally for dissolving clots, promoting diuresis, and treating abdominal pain, postpartum blood stasis, carbuncles, and difficulty in urination.

Scientific classification

Family: Balsaminaceae
Genus: Impatiens
Species: I. arguta
Scientific Name: Impatiens arguta
Common Names: Blue Dream Impatiens, East Himalayan Balsam, Blue Impatiens
Synonyms: Impatiens gagei

How to grow and care for Impatiens arguta

Light

It thrives best in indirect bright light to partial shade for healthy growth. In an area with very hot summers, plant them in partial shade, or shade them from the afternoon sun. An excessive amount of sun may cause browning of foliage, though a lot of shade may make the balsam plant leggy and flowerless.

Soil

Impatiens arguta grows well in an evenly moist, organically rich, well-drained, peat moss-based potting mix.

Water

Water regularly, Keep the soil evenly moist but not soggy. Flowering plants are thirsty, and they dry out quickly in containers, so check them often. Impatiens will quickly wilt if they are allowed to dry out.

Temperature

It prefers average room temperatures 60°F – 75°F / 16°C – 24°C. In winter do not let the temperature fall below 13°C (55°F).

Fertilizer

Fertilize every two weeks from spring through fall with a high-potassium liquid fertilizer diluted by half.

Propagation:

It can be easily propagated by seed or stem cuttings. Sow impatiens seeds in spring or early summer. Germination takes 10 to 20 days at 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Take 10 cm stem tip cuttings in spring or summer. They’ll root easily in water or moist soil.

Pests and Diseases:

Impatiens are susceptible to Spider mites, flower thrips, root-knot nematode, whiteflies, and aphids, especially under glass. Caterpillars outdoors. Gray mold, impatiens necrotic spot virus, fungal leaf spots, Rhizoctonia stem rot, Pseudomonas leaf spot, and Verticillium Wilt. If insect or disease problems occur, treat early with organic or chemical insect repellents and fungicide.