Impatiens in Zone 7a & 7b
Impatiens walleriana
Yes, impatiens grows in zones 7a and 7b. Start seeds indoors Jan 30–Feb 6 and plant out Apr 24–May 1.
When to plant impatiens in zone 7b
Zones 7a and 7b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Jan 30–Feb 6 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Apr 24–May 1 |
| Estimated bloom | Jul 8–Jul 15 (~75 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 7b
These go outside within two weeks of impatiens in zone 7b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumApr 17–Apr 24
- MarigoldApr 17–Apr 24
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)Apr 24–May 1
- Bee BalmApr 24–May 1
- Black-Eyed Susan VineApr 24–May 1
- Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum)Apr 24–May 1
Impatiens flowers reliably in shade, which almost nothing else here does. It also carries a disease problem worth understanding before you plant a whole bed of it.
How impatiens fits zone 7's season
Zone 7b's frost-free window runs about 198 days, from April 10 to October 25. Impatiens needs about 75 days from transplant to first bloom.
Impatiens planting windows in every zone
Zone 7b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Bloom |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b | Mar 21–Mar 28 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Aug 27–Sep 3 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 6–Mar 13 | May 29–Jun 5 | Aug 12–Aug 19 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 24–May 31 | Aug 7–Aug 14 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 14–Feb 21 | May 9–May 16 | Jul 23–Jul 30 |
| 7a & 7b (your zone) | Jan 30–Feb 6 | Apr 24–May 1 | Jul 8–Jul 15 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 14–Jan 21 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Jun 22–Jun 29 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 7–Dec 14 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | May 15–May 22 |
| 10a & 10b | Nov 21–Nov 28 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 29–May 6 |
| 11a & 11b | Oct 23–Oct 30 | Jan 15–Jan 22 | Mar 31–Apr 7 |
Bloom dates are about 75 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for impatiens.
Where to buy impatiens seeds
True Leaf Market · Burpee (each supplier's impatiens seeds)
Varieties we recommend, and where to get them:
- Beacon series (best for downy mildew resistance): Bred by PanAmerican Seed and described by Illinois Extension and NC State Extension as highly resistant to impatiens downy mildew, the disease that wiped bedding impatiens out of many gardens. Buy: Burpee Full notes
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing impatiens" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 7b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Impatiens in USDA zone 7b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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