Growing Impatiens from Seed – A Guide to Successful Germination

With their bright, cheery blooms, impatiens are a beloved flower for adding color to shaded garden beds and containers. Buying new plants each year can get expensive for large plantings. Luckily, growing impatiens from seeds is a simple, affordable way to produce lots of these pretty annuals. Follow this step-by-step guide for how to start impatiens from seed and fill your landscape with beautiful blossoms.

Why Start Impatiens from Seeds?

Starting impatiens from seed offers several advantages over purchasing bedding plants:

• Cost savings – Packets of impatiens seeds are very inexpensive compared to buying individual plants.

• Wider variety – Many more seed varieties exist beyond what is locally available as bedding plants.

• Custom colors – Blend your own colors and combinations by growing different impatiens seed varieties together

• Plant on your schedule – Sow seeds based on your ideal planting timeline instead of relying on nursery availability.

As long as you provide a few key conditions, impatiens are quite easy to grow from seed.

Timing Considerations

• Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before your last expected spring frost.

• They require a relatively long growth period before being ready to transplant outdoors.

• Slow germination means seeds must be sown early.

• Allow 3-4 weeks for germination and 4-6 weeks to grow seedlings big enough to plant into the garden after danger of frost.

Selecting Containers and Media

The containers and soil media used for starting impatiens seeds are critical factors for success:

• Use clean containers with drainage holes like trays, pots, or plug flats. Sterilize used containers to prevent diseases.

• A soilless seed starting mix provides an ideal germination medium. Avoid heavy potting soils.

• Coconut coir, vermiculite, and peat/perlite mixes work well. They hold moisture but still drain well.

• Individual cells or pots avoid root disturbance when separating seedlings later.

• Fill containers to 1/2 – 1 inch below the rim to leave headspace for watering.

Planting Depth and Spacing

• Moisten soil mix well before sowing seeds. Let excess water drain.

• Sprinkle seeds lightly across the soil surface. Impatiens seeds are very tiny.

• Cover seeds lightly with a thin layer of vermiculite or more seed starting mix.

• 1/8 inch deep is ideal. Too deep and seeds may not emerge.

• Space seeds 1-2 inches apart to allow room for growth if sowing densely.

• Water gently with a fine mist to avoid displacing seeds. Keep soil moist, not saturated.

Providing Warmth for Germination

Warmth is critical for good impatiens seed germination:

• Maintain a soil temperature between 70-75°F.

• Sit containers on heating mats or above appliances for warmth.

• Keep out of direct sunlight to avoid overheating soil.

• Drape plastic domes or wrap pots in clear plastic to hold in warmth and moisture.

• Bottom heat cables can be used to maintain ideal germination temperatures.

Caring for Seedlings

Once seeds begin to sprout, provide the best care for vigorous growth:

• Move to bright, indirect light after germination. A sunny windowsill or grow lights work well.

• Water from the bottom by sitting pots in trays of water. Keep soil evenly moist but not soggy.

• Remove domes/plastic once sprouted to allow air circulation and prevent damping off.

• Ideal growing temperatures are 60-70°F during the day and 55-60°F at night.

• Begin fertilizing at half strength 2-3 weeks after germination.

• Transplant into larger pots or cell packs once 2-3 true leaves have emerged.

Hardening Off and Planting Outdoors

• Gradually acclimate seedlings to outdoor conditions over 7-14 days.

• Start by placing pots in shade for a few hours a day, increasing time outside over a week or two.

• Slowly introduce to direct sun, wind, and nighttime temps down to 50°F.

• Harden off until stocky, green, and vigorous before transferring into garden beds and containers.

• Plant outdoors after all danger of frost has passed. Enrich soil with compost at planting time.

Common Problems and Solutions

Here are some common issues and how to prevent them when growing impatiens from seed:

• Seeds not germinating – Ensure warm enough soil temperatures and keep soil moist but not saturated.

• Leggy, weak seedlings – Increase light levels, use fans to strengthen stems, avoid overcrowding.

• Damping off – Allow air circulation, don’t overwater, space adequately.

• Disturbed seedlings when watering – Water gently from the bottom, use seed starting trays.

• Burned or stunted seedlings – Gradually acclimate to sun and outdoor conditions, prevent rapid temperature fluctuations.

With the proper care, starting impatiens from seeds is very rewarding. The simple joy of nurturing your own flowers from seed to garden is unmatched!

Step-by-Step Guide to Starting Impatiens Seeds

Follow this simple process for successfully growing impatiens from seed:

1. Prepare Containers

• Select trays, pots or plug flats with drainage holes. Clean and sterilize used containers.

• Fill with a lightweight, soilless seed starting medium. Leave 1/2 to 1 inch headspace.

2. Plant Seeds

• Moisten mix and let drain. Level surface before sowing seeds.

• Sprinkle seeds thinly across the soil surface. Just barely cover with vermiculite if needed.

• Gently water with a fine mist to avoid displacing seeds. Keep soil moist, not saturated.

3. Provide Warmth

• Maintain 70-75°F soil temperature. Use heating mats or heated propagation trays.

• Cover containers to hold in warmth and moisture. Avoid direct hot sunlight.

4. Care for Seedlings

• Move to bright, indirect light after germination. Grow at 60-70°F during the day.

• Bottom water to keep root zone moist. Remove domes once sprouted for air circulation.

• Apply half strength fertilizer 2-3 weeks after germination.

5. Harden Off

• Gradually expose seedlings to sun, wind and cooler 50°F temps over 7-14 days before planting into garden.

6. Transplant Outdoors

• Plant hardened off seedlings into enriched, well-draining soil after all danger of frost is past.

Tips for Success Growing Impatiens Seeds

Here are some helpful tips to ensure success starting impatiens from seeds:

• Use fresh seeds each year for best germination. Seeds older than 1 year decline in viability.

• Take extra care when watering delicate seedlings. Bottom watering prevents damage.

• Sow extra seeds to account for some not germinating. Space adequately in case all sprout.

• Start a second batch of seeds 5-6 weeks after the first to extend the planting window.

• Give seedlings high humidity, warmth, and protection from intense sun while young and tender.

• Transplant seedlings carefully using a spoon or scoop to avoid disturbing delicate roots.

• Pinch back leggy seedlings 1-2 weeks before planting out to encourage bushier, sturdier growth.

With proper timing, consistent moisture and warmth, impatiens seeds will flourish into trays of beautiful, lush transplants ready to decorate your garden all season long.

Enjoy a Thriving Floral Display Grown from Seeds

One of the great joys of gardening is nurturing plants from seeds to garden. Growing impatiens from seed unlocks savings, flexibility, and satisfaction. Follow this guide to seed sowing success. With a little time and TLC, you’ll reap trays of vibrant impatiens seedlings to plant for pennies on the dollar compared to buying bedding plants.