How to Grow Splash Mix

Splash Mix

Impatiens walleriana hybrid

flower

Splash Mix is a vibrant bedding impatiens variety known for its striking bicolor flowers with contrasting splashed or speckled patterns on the petals. These compact, mounding plants produce continuous blooms in shades of red, pink, white, and purple throughout the growing season. They are ideal for shade gardens, containers, and hanging baskets.

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Example Splash Mix timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

Plant Splash Mix
Around Apr 17

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

Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
First Splash Mix blooms
Around May 22

≈ 35 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Splash Mix dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️

Sun: Partial to full shade, 2-4 hours of indirect sunlight daily; tolerates deep shade better than most flowers

💧

Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged; water deeply when top inch of soil is dry. More frequent watering needed in containers and hot weather

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Spacing: 10-12 inches

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Days to maturity: 35-50 days to bloom

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Planting depth: Surface sow seeds indoors; do not cover. Transplant seedlings when 2-3 inches tall. Plant transplants at soil level.

Soil

Type: Rich, moist, well-draining soil with 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 4-11 as annual; grown year-round in zones 10-11

3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

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Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seedlings emerge with cotyledons and first true leaves appearing within 7-14 days

Keep soil moist but not wet; provide bright indirect light indoors; maintain 70-75°F temperature; thin seedlings to prevent crowding

Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple stems and a bushy mounding form with lush green foliage

Pinch back growing tips to encourage branching; maintain consistent moisture; begin fertilizing weekly with balanced fertilizer; acclimate to outdoor conditions before transplanting

Budding

1-2 weeks

Flower buds form in leaf axils along stems; plant continues to grow and fill out

Continue regular watering and weekly fertilizer applications; ensure adequate light for bud development; remove any damaged leaves

Flowering

8-16 weeks

Prolific bicolor blooms with splashed or speckled patterns appear continuously throughout season; flowers range from 1-1.5 inches across

Deadhead spent flowers to promote continuous blooming; maintain consistent moisture; fertilize every 7-10 days; pinch back leggy stems to maintain shape

Maturity & Decline

Until frost or end of season

Plant reaches full size and may decline in fall with cooler temperatures; flowering slows in late season

Continue deadheading and fertilizing to extend season; reduce watering as temperatures cool; pull plants after frost or before season's end

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

begonias hostas ferns coleus caladiums impatiens browallia torenia wishbone flower

Avoid planting near:

plants preferring full sun and dry conditions aggressive spreading plants

Common Pests

Increase humidity by misting leaves; spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; isolate infested plants
Use yellow sticky traps; spray with neem oil or insecticidal soap; ensure good air circulation
Allow soil surface to dry slightly between waterings; use yellow sticky traps; apply beneficial nematodes to soil
Ensure excellent air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove infected foliage; apply fungicide if severe
No cure; remove and destroy infected plants; control thrips which spread the virus; choose virus-resistant varieties

Uses

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Edible flowers for garnish

Culinary

Impatiens flowers are non-toxic and can be used as colorful, peppery-flavored garnishes for salads and desserts. [source]

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Shade garden color

Household

Perfect for brightening shady areas where few other flowers bloom; provides continuous color from late spring through frost in containers, borders, or hanging baskets. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

Attracts hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden, providing valuable nectar sources throughout the growing season. [source]

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Cut flowers and arrangements

Craft

While tender as cut flowers, impatiens blooms can be used in short-term fresh arrangements or as pressed flowers for crafts. [source]

Harvest Tips

Impatiens are ornamental flowers; deadhead spent blooms by pinching off or cutting just below the flower head to encourage continuous flowering. Collect seed pods in late season if desired by allowing flowers to fade and collecting dried seed capsules.

Fun Facts

🌱 The name 'impatiens' comes from Latin meaning 'impatient' because the ripe seed pods burst open at the slightest touch when ready to disperse seeds.
🌱 Splash Mix's distinctive bicolor splashed patterns are a relatively modern breeding achievement, created to add visual drama compared to solid-colored traditional impatiens.
🌱 Impatiens are among the easiest flowers to propagate from cuttings—simply place a stem cutting in water and roots will develop within 2 weeks.

Gardening Terms

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

Deadhead Pinch Back Transplant True Leaves

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