How to Grow Impatiens 'Bounce'

Wikimedia Commons

Impatiens 'Bounce'

Impatiens walleriana 'Bounce'

flower

Impatiens 'Bounce' is a compact, mounding cultivar of busy lizzie known for its vibrant flowers and sturdy, branching habit. This hybrid selection produces abundant blooms in shades of red, pink, white, orange, and bicolor combinations throughout the growing season. It is particularly valued for container gardens, hanging baskets, and shaded garden beds where it thrives with minimal maintenance.

When should you plant Impatiens 'Bounce' in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Impatiens 'Bounce' timeline →

Example Impatiens 'Bounce' timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Impatiens 'Bounce'
Around Apr 17

Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
Tend & protect
Late spring–summer

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Impatiens 'Bounce' blooms
Around May 27

≈ 40 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Impatiens 'Bounce' dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Partial shade to bright indirect light; 2-4 hours of morning sun. Avoid intense afternoon sun which can cause bleaching or wilting

💧

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry. Increase frequency in hot weather and for container plants. Avoid wetting foliage to prevent fungal issues

📏

Spacing: 8-12 inches

📅

Days to maturity: 40-60 days to first blooms from transplant

🌱

Planting depth: Seed surface to barely covered (seeds need light to germinate). Transplants at same depth as nursery pot

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile potting soil or garden soil rich in organic matter

pH: 6.0-6.5

Amendments:

Compost peat moss or coco coir perlite for drainage

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 10-11; grown as an annual in cooler zones (9b and above)

9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Get my Impatiens 'Bounce' timeline →

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny cotyledons emerge and first true leaves develop. Plant is delicate with soft stems and minimal branching

Keep soil warm (70-75°F) and consistently moist. Provide bright, indirect light. Avoid direct sun and cold drafts. Thin seedlings if overcrowded

Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple stem branches and a compact, mounding form. Foliage is lush green with no flowers yet

Pinch off growing tips when plant is 2-3 inches tall to encourage bushier growth. Continue consistent moisture and bright indirect light. Feed with balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks

Budding & Flowering Initiation

1-2 weeks

Small flower buds appear in leaf axils. Plant begins transitioning from vegetative to reproductive growth

Maintain consistent watering and light conditions. Switch to lower-nitrogen fertilizer (higher phosphorus) to encourage blooming. Continue pinching if more compact form is desired

Flowering

8-14 weeks (entire season indoors; longer in frost-free climates)

Abundant flowers cover the plant continuously. Flowers appear in clusters and come in multiple colors depending on variety. Plant maintains full, rounded mounding shape

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming (though 'Bounce' is relatively self-cleaning). Water consistently and feed bi-weekly with flower fertilizer. Monitor for pests and disease

Decline (in cool climates)

Varies by climate

As temperatures cool in fall or winter approaches, flowering slows. Plant may show signs of stress or dormancy

In frost-prone areas, treat as annual and remove at season's end. In frost-free climates, reduce watering slightly and cut back to encourage rejuvenation for next season

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Ferns (Boston fern, maidenhair fern) Hostas Begonias Impatiens other colors Caladiums Coleus Sweet potato vine (as trailing accent) Torenia Fuchsia

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring full sun and dry conditions (sedums, lavender, rosemary) Mint (can compete aggressively for moisture) Competitive vigorously-growing groundcovers

Common Pests

Spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; improve air circulation; use yellow sticky traps; remove heavily infested leaves
Remove with cotton swab dipped in rubbing alcohol; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; isolate affected plants
Increase humidity; spray with water; use neem oil or miticide; remove heavily affected foliage
Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings; use sand layer on soil surface; use sticky traps; reduce watering frequency
No cure; remove and destroy infected plants; control thrip vectors; purchase virus-free stock

Uses

🍳

Not for consumption

Culinary

Impatiens flowers are not intended for eating and should not be ingested. The plant is purely ornamental. [source]

🏠

Container and indoor decoration

Household

'Bounce' is ideal for pots, hanging baskets, window boxes, and shaded interior spaces. Its compact mounding form and prolific flowering make it perfect for adding color to patios, porches, and indoor bright spots [source]

🎨

Cut flower arrangements

Craft

Though short-lived, Impatiens flowers can be used in small floral arrangements or as delicate accent flowers. Harvest in early morning and condition immediately in water [source]

🦋

Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

Impatiens flowers attract hummingbirds and bees, making 'Bounce' a valuable addition to shade gardens where traditional pollinator plants struggle. The nectar-rich flowers provide important food sources [source]

💊

Traditional remedies

Medicinal

Some species of Impatiens have been used in traditional medicine systems, though 'Bounce' is not commonly used medicinally. Always consult qualified practitioners before any medicinal use [source]

This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.

Harvest Tips

Impatiens 'Bounce' is ornamental and not typically harvested for consumption. For continuous abundant blooms, deadhead spent flowers regularly (though this variety is relatively self-cleaning). In mild climates, pinch back stems by one-third in late summer to rejuvenate plants for fall flowering

Fun Facts

🌱 The name 'Impatiens' comes from the plant's seed pods, which explode violently when ripe at the slightest touch, scattering seeds up to several feet away—a mechanism called ballochory
🌱 'Bounce' was bred to be more weather-tolerant than standard Impatiens walleriana, with greater resistance to heat stress and better self-branching habit, making it more forgiving for home gardeners
🌱 Impatiens flowers are one of the few flowers that come in a true lavender-blue color, a trait highly valued in ornamental breeding programs

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Annual Cultivar Deadhead Hybrid Partial Shade pH Pinch Back True Leaves

Shop Impatiens 'Bounce' plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Impatiens 'Bounce' planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Impatiens 'Bounce' seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Impatiens 'Bounce' timeline →