Expert: Mike Mascio - 5/15/2003

Question
Hello, I have had impatiens for the past 4 or 5 yrs. My question being is the farther apart they are will they bloom and spread better?
I think I am planting them to close because they just dont seem to spread good for me. Do the roots get tangled if too close together?
Thanks!

Answer
Jackie, ideally, impatiens should be planted no closer than 10" apart.  I would space them no farther than 12" due to the fact I like some overlap to get a fuller effect.  But any closer than 10" will cause the plants to grow vertically instead of branching out.  It also results in the plants competing for water and nutrients.  This problem can reduce the size of the blooms and restrict flowering.

Good luck, and please write again if I can ever be of assistance.

Regards,

Mike