Grow Impatiens From Seed: Easy Start Indoors!

Okay, get ready to unleash your inner gardener! Impatiens plants offer vibrant color, and the Burpee Seed Company, a well-known provider, sells a wide variety. Did you know that you can grow impatiens from seed indoors, even if you don’t have a greenhouse? Seed starting trays, essential tools for this process, provide the perfect environment. Success awaits, and soon enough, your garden will be bursting with blooms, rivaling even the beautiful displays at Longwood Gardens!

Unleash Your Inner Gardener: Starting Impatiens from Seed Indoors!

So, you’re ready to dive into the wonderful world of growing impatiens from seed? Fantastic! It’s easier than you think, and starting them indoors gives you a head start on a summer filled with vibrant blooms. Let’s break down the best way to approach this, making sure your impatiens thrive from tiny seed to bursting blossom!

First, let’s talk about the why. Why start impatiens indoors? Well, impatiens seeds are tiny, and they need consistent moisture and warmth to germinate. Starting them indoors allows you to control these conditions, giving them the best possible chance of success. Plus, you’ll have larger, more established plants ready to go into your garden when the weather warms up!

Here’s a roadmap for our indoor impatiens growing adventure:

1. Gather Your Supplies: Think of this as prepping your artist’s palette. We need the right tools for a masterpiece!
2. Sowing the Seeds: The delicate art of planting.
3. Creating the Perfect Environment: Warmth and light are key!
4. Nurturing Your Seedlings: Watering, feeding, and watching them grow.
5. Hardening Off: Preparing them for the great outdoors.

Let’s get into the nitty-gritty of each step:

1. Gather Your Supplies

Before you even think about seeds, let’s make sure you have everything you need. Trust me, it makes the whole process smoother.

• Impatiens Seeds: Choose your favorite colors and varieties! Look for fresh seeds for the best germination rate.
• Seed Starting Trays or Small Pots: These don’t have to be fancy. Recycled yogurt containers work great too – just make sure they have drainage holes!
• Seed Starting Mix: This is different from regular potting soil. It’s lighter and provides better drainage, essential for delicate seedlings.
• Spray Bottle: For gentle watering. A heavy pour can disrupt the tiny seeds.
• Heat Mat (Optional but Recommended): Impatiens seeds germinate best in warm soil (around 70-75°F).
• Grow Light (Optional but Recommended): Provides consistent light, especially if you don’t have a sunny windowsill.
• Clear Plastic Dome or Plastic Wrap: To maintain humidity during germination.
• Plant Labels: So you don’t forget which variety is which!

2. Sowing the Seeds: The Delicate Art of Planting

Okay, this is where the magic begins!

1. Moisten the Seed Starting Mix: Dampen it thoroughly, but don’t let it get soggy.
2. Fill Your Trays or Pots: Leave about half an inch of space at the top.
3. Sow the Seeds: Impatiens seeds are TINY! Sprinkle them VERY thinly on the surface of the soil. You can gently tap them in, but don’t bury them deeply. They need light to germinate.
4. Cover with a Light Layer (Optional): You can lightly sprinkle a very thin layer of vermiculite over the seeds. This helps retain moisture without blocking light.
5. Water Gently: Use your spray bottle to moisten the surface of the soil. Avoid direct pouring, which can wash the seeds away.
6. Cover with a Dome or Plastic Wrap: This creates a humid environment, essential for germination.

3. Creating the Perfect Environment: Warmth and Light are Key!

Think of your seeds as little babies – they need the right conditions to thrive!

• Warmth: Place your seed trays on a heat mat if you have one. Aim for a soil temperature of 70-75°F.
• Light: If you don’t have a heat mat, a warm spot in your house will work. Also, place the trays under a grow light or on a sunny windowsill. If using a windowsill, rotate the trays regularly to prevent the seedlings from leaning towards the light. If using a grow light, keep it a few inches above the trays, and adjust it as the seedlings grow.
• Humidity: Keep the humidity high by keeping the dome or plastic wrap in place until the seeds germinate.

4. Nurturing Your Seedlings: Watering, Feeding, and Watching Them Grow

Germination typically takes 10-21 days. Be patient!

• Watering: Once the seeds have germinated, remove the dome or plastic wrap gradually over a few days to allow the seedlings to adjust to lower humidity. Water carefully when the soil surface feels dry to the touch. Avoid overwatering, which can lead to damping-off disease.
• Fertilizing: Once the seedlings have their first true leaves (the second set of leaves that appear), you can start feeding them with a diluted liquid fertilizer formulated for seedlings. Follow the instructions on the fertilizer label.
• Thinning (if needed): If too many seeds germinated in one cell or pot, thin them out by snipping off the weakest seedlings at soil level. This will give the remaining seedlings more room to grow.
• Observation: Keep a close eye on your seedlings for any signs of disease or pests. Act quickly if you notice anything unusual.

5. Hardening Off: Preparing Them for the Great Outdoors

This is crucial! Don’t skip this step! Hardening off gradually acclimates your seedlings to outdoor conditions, preventing shock when you transplant them.

Day	Procedure
Day 1-3	Place seedlings outdoors in a sheltered location (shade) for 1-2 hours.
Day 4-6	Gradually increase outdoor exposure by 1-2 hours each day. More sun but shelter in wind.
Day 7+	Leave seedlings outdoors for longer periods, including overnight (if temperatures are mild enough). Protect from Frost.

Once your impatiens are hardened off and all danger of frost has passed, they’re ready to be transplanted into your garden! Choose a location with partial shade and well-draining soil. And that’s it!

So, are you ready to give it a shot? Growing impatiens from seed isn’t as daunting as it seems, and with a little patience (pun intended!), you’ll have a riot of colorful blooms to brighten up your shady spots in no time. Happy gardening!