How to Grow Pacifica Deep Red
Pacifica Deep Red
Impatiens walleriana 'Pacifica Deep Red'
flowerPacifica Deep Red is a compact, mounding impatiens cultivar known for its vibrant deep crimson flowers and reliable performance in shade gardens. It produces abundant blooms throughout the growing season and is ideal for containers, beds, and hanging baskets. This hybrid variety is bred for improved vigor and disease resistance compared to standard impatiens.
When should you plant Pacifica Deep Red in your zone?
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Example Pacifica Deep Red timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
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Plant Pacifica Deep Red
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
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Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
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First Pacifica Deep Red blooms
Around Apr 21≈ 4 days after planting
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Pacifica Deep Red dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Grows as a tender annual in zones 10-11; treat as annual in cooler zones (3-9)
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Seedling
2-3 weeksTiny seed germinates in 7-14 days; develops first true leaves and appears delicate with thin stems
Maintain high humidity and warm temperatures (70-75°F). Provide bright indirect light without direct sun. Keep soil moist but not soggy. Thin seedlings if crowded.
Vegetative Growth
3-4 weeksPlant develops multiple stems and dense foliage; leaves are glossy, medium green, and oval-shaped. No flowers yet.
Pinch tips when 2-3 inches tall to encourage bushiness. Maintain consistent moisture and moderate shade. Apply balanced fertilizer every 2 weeks.
Budding & Early Flowering
1-2 weeksFirst deep red flower buds appear at branch tips; initial blooms open into flat-faced flowers
Continue pinching back some stems to promote more buds. Increase fertilizer frequency (weekly) with higher phosphorus to encourage flowering. Maintain soil moisture.
Peak Flowering
8-12 weeks or until frostPlant is covered with abundant deep crimson flowers; compact, mounded form is fully developed
Deadhead spent flowers to prolong blooming. Water deeply and consistently. Feed weekly with bloom-promoting fertilizer. Monitor for pests and diseases.
Post-Bloom/Dormancy
2-3 monthsFlowering slows in late fall/winter or if plant is overgrown; foliage may appear less vibrant
In zones 10-11, cut back by half in late winter to rejuvenate. In cooler zones, plant dies with frost. Reduce watering and fertilizing if overwintering indoors.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Increase humidity, mist foliage regularly, spray with water to dislodge, use insecticidal soap or neem oil if severe
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Use yellow sticky traps, spray with insecticidal soap, apply neem oil, ensure good air circulation
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Remove with alcohol-soaked cotton swab, apply insecticidal soap, use neem oil weekly until controlled
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Improve air circulation, avoid overhead watering, remove affected leaves, apply sulfur fungicide if needed
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Remove infected plants immediately, control thrips vectors, practice good sanitation and plant isolation
Uses
Shade Garden Display
HouseholdPacifica Deep Red is exceptional for brightening shaded areas with its vibrant crimson blooms from spring through fall. It thrives where most flowering plants struggle, making it ideal for under trees, north-facing beds, and woodland gardens. [source]
Container & Hanging Basket Color
HouseholdThe compact, mounding growth habit makes Pacifica Deep Red perfect for pots, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Its prolific blooming creates stunning visual impact and can be moved to highlight different areas of the garden. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
CraftFresh-cut stems with flowers last several days in water and add rich color to bouquets and table arrangements. The deep red hue pairs well with white, pink, and purple flowers. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeImpatiens flowers attract hummingbirds and small pollinators, adding movement and life to garden spaces. The consistent nectar production throughout the season provides reliable food sources. [source]
Harvest Tips
Pacifica Deep Red is grown for ornamental flowers rather than harvest. Deadhead (remove spent blooms) regularly to encourage continuous flowering. Pinch back occasionally to maintain compact form. Cut stems can be enjoyed in fresh arrangements but the plant's main value is as a living display.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Impatiens get their name from the Latin 'impatiens' meaning 'impatient,' referring to how ripe seed pods burst open at the slightest touch to scatter seeds explosively.
- 🌱 Pacifica varieties were specifically bred by seed companies to be more disease-resistant and floriferous than traditional impatiens, making them reliable choices for commercial and home gardeners.
- 🌱 The deep red color in Pacifica Deep Red comes from anthocyanin pigments, which also provide antioxidant benefits in edible plants—though impatiens are purely ornamental.
Gardening Terms
New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:
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