Are impatiens perennial or annual?

Common impatiens (*Impatiens walleriana*) and New Guinea impatiens (*I. hawkeri*) are tender perennials that survive as perennials only in USDA zones 10–12. In zones 3–9, they are killed by frost and grown as summer or shade annuals. SunPatiens and New Guinea types can be overwin

Impatiens are another tender perennial routinely sold and grown as an annual across most of the United States. The plants are killed by frost, and in most American gardens, that means one season of color and done.

This article contains affiliate links. As an Amazon Associate, we earn from qualifying purchases - at no extra cost to you. We only recommend products we have personally tested or that are the universal first recommendation from university Extension publications. See our full disclosure.

The impatiens downy mildew problem

Before discussing the perennial/annual question, this needs to be addressed: common impatiens (Impatiens walleriana) has been devastated by impatiens downy mildew (Plasmopara obducens) across the eastern United States since approximately 2011. Per Penn State Extension, the disease causes "total plant collapse within days of symptom appearance" and the pathogen persists in the soil for years.

Many gardens that planted common impatiens before 2012 cannot successfully grow them now. Per NC State Extension, "once impatiens downy mildew is established in a planting site, it is very difficult to eradicate." If you've had collapse of impatiens beds in the past, do not replant common impatiens in those beds — switch to New Guinea impatiens, SunPatiens, or begonias, which are resistant to the pathogen.