Impatiens in Zone 9a & 9b
Impatiens walleriana
Yes, impatiens grows in zones 9a and 9b. Start seeds indoors Dec 7–Dec 14 and plant out Mar 1–Mar 8.
When to plant impatiens in zone 9b
Zones 9a and 9b 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 | Dec 7–Dec 14 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Mar 1–Mar 8 |
| Estimated bloom | May 15–May 22 (~75 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: 2 per square foot (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 0.5-2 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 9b
These go outside within two weeks of impatiens in zone 9b, so one planting day can cover them.
- NasturtiumFeb 22–Mar 1
- MarigoldFeb 22–Mar 1
- Angelonia (Summer Snapdragon)Mar 1–Mar 8
- Bee BalmMar 1–Mar 8
- Black-Eyed Susan VineMar 1–Mar 8
- Chrysanthemum (Garden Mum)Mar 1–Mar 8
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 9's season
Zone 9b's frost-free window runs about 293 days, from February 15 to December 5. Impatiens needs about 75 days from transplant to first bloom.
Impatiens planting windows in every zone
Zone 9b 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 | 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 (your zone) | 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
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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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 9b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Impatiens in USDA zone 9b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a bloom.
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