Hi,

I've had this plant (I'm sorry I dont know what she is I was never told) for about 10 years. Shes been with me through everything. House moves, relationships, growing up. I'm insanely attached to her. I noticed the other day that she had aphids all over her, so I went online to read up what to do. Looked like applying soapy water and washing them off was generally the advice. I did this, but I stupidly misread the concentration instructions and used way too much fairy liquid dish soap. She was fine the next day and the aphids are gone but since, her leaves have been worsening. I'm so scared she will die! Can anyone help?

Take it outside or to the bathtub and hose it off.

Your plant looks like Impatiens possibly Busy Lizzy (Impatiens walleriana) but I don't know if the yellowing leaves has anything to do with spraying it for aphids or if the issue is due to over watering.

gasrocks said:Take it outside or to the bathtub and hose it off.

Yeah we did that and got rid of the aphids they're all gone now, just worried the soap has damaged the leaves. Do you think shell be ok?

Thank you so much for helping.

plantladylin said:Your plant looks like Impatiens possibly Busy Lizzy (Impatiens walleriana) but I don't know if the yellowing leaves has anything to do with spraying it for aphids or if the issue is due to over watering.

Thank you! I think you got it spot on. Now I know what she is. I've always wondered. Do you have any tips on how to revive her? I'll be very sad to lose her. Shes like a pet. Any tips on general looking after would be appreciated, I'm not too green fingered and she was a gift.

I grew them outside as landscape plants here in my Florida garden for many years back in the 1970's and 1980's but they require so much water that as much as I loved them, I don't grow them anymore. I can't offer tips on reviving your plant since I've never grown one as an indoor houseplant. I will say that you shouldn't subject it to direct sun, this particular variety of Impatiens requires bright, shady locations but no direct sun. As a landscape plant, it was one that required a lot of water to keep it happy but as a container plant it may not require watering as often.

There is another type called Impatiens 'Sunpatiens' that does well with lots of sunlight.

upstairsaterics said:Hi,

I've had this plant (I'm sorry I dont know what she is I was never told) for about 10 years. Shes been with me through everything. House moves, relationships, growing up. I'm insanely attached to her. I noticed the other day that she had aphids all over her, so I went online to read up what to do. Looked like applying soapy water and washing them off was generally the advice. I did this, but I stupidly misread the concentration instructions and used way too much fairy liquid dish soap. She was fine the next day and the aphids are gone but since, her leaves have been worsening. I'm so scared she will die! Can anyone help?

Yep, walleriana impatiens. This one looks like it's been in a lack of light, so its growth is a little crazy. Whether it was too much soapy water or aphids, your plant should recover. Luckily for you, impatiens love moisture and water, so you can probably dilute the soapy accident via a bit of extra water in the pot. It has to have a drainage hole, though. I'm sure your impatien would love more sun, but acclimate it slowly and wait until it recovers from this issue. Whatever you do, don't toss it in an extremely sunny spot. They can be acclimated to up to 3 hours of direct sun over time. This is what walleriana impatiens look like when given about 3 hours of direct sun.

Thank you all so much. I'm in awe of your knowledge it's really lovely to see. The pot she is in at the moment has no drainage - should I move her? Now I know what shes supposed to look like it appears shes kinda not doing so well... shes lasted a LONG time. I'd like to keep her indoors, I didn't realise she was supposed to be outdoors. Any tips any of you have on getting her looking her best for an absolute plant novice I'd be much obliged.

upstairsaterics said:Thank you all so much. I'm in awe of your knowledge it's really lovely to see. The pot she is in at the moment has no drainage - should I move her? Now I know what shes supposed to look like it appears shes kinda not doing so well... shes lasted a LONG time. I'd like to keep her indoors, I didn't realise she was supposed to be outdoors. Any tips any of you have on getting her looking her best for an absolute plant novice I'd be much obliged.

Yes, you should give her a nice new pot with a drainage hole. Impatiens are really tough plants, and they can live indoors if you give them the right stuff. You've been giving it the means to survive, which is more than most people could give, so be proud of yourself! I would recommend giving her as much light as you can, but acclimate her slowly. Just a bit more light each day would help. It would be really great if you could get her to bloom, as this would insure that she could live on forever. When impatiens finish blooming, they form little seed pods that open at the slightest touch. You can plant those seeds quite easily, and you'll have another impatien! In general, all walleriana impatiens need is bright light and they'll be happy!

CrazedHoosier said:

Yep, walleriana impatiens. This one looks like it's been in a lack of light, so its growth is a little crazy. Whether it was too much soapy water or aphids, your plant should recover. Luckily for you, impatiens love moisture and water, so you can probably dilute the soapy accident via a bit of extra water in the pot. It has to have a drainage hole, though. I'm sure your impatien would love more sun, but acclimate it slowly and wait until it recovers from this issue. Whatever you do, don't toss it in an extremely sunny spot. They can be acclimated to up to 3 hours of direct sun over time. This is what walleriana impatiens look like when given about 3 hours of direct sun.

How do you keep yours so compact and full?

Hamwild said:

How do you keep yours so compact and full?

I honestly think they just like Indiana's less than desirable climate. I water them twice a way, and do a liquid fertilizer once a week. I planted about 50 this year, and didn't lose a single one. That's why I think it's just gotta be Indiana's climate.

Mine seem happy, but not as full!

Hamwild said:Mine seem happy, but not as full!

I LOVE impatiens. They're one of my favorite flowers ever. I actually do an unreccomended practice. I find that they look much happier throughout the heat of the day if you give their leaves a gentle shower. I love seeing other people's impatiens, too! Also, these were all the elfin variety of walleriana impatiens. One of my favorites.

Oh, maybe those stay more compact? I have no idea what I bought, Lowes just labeled them 'Impatiens.'

Hamwild said:Oh, maybe those stay more compact? I have no idea what I bought, Lowes just labeled them 'Impatiens.'

I've gotten those regular walleriana impatiens, too! They're all really tough, but I have experienced that elfin have a superior growth habit, amount of bloom, and even size of bloom. They get huge, but the growth habit is pretty tight. I actually got random impatiens from Kroger for 98 cents last year, put them in the ground, and kept forgetting to water them. I later dug them up, put them in a pot, and they bloomed like crazy until frost. A plant I can't kill? Give me 3,000.

Me too! On the can't kill plant.

Thanks CrazedHoosier! I'm going to the garden centre today to get her a nice new pot. I live in Scotland so the weather here is..... undesirable at best haha! I dont mind her looking a little ugly as long as shes happy.

upstairsaterics said:Thanks CrazedHoosier! I'm going to the garden centre today to get her a nice new pot. I live in Scotland so the weather here is..... undesirable at best haha! I dont mind her looking a little ugly as long as shes happy.

Make sure to get a proper potting soil like Miracle Gro Potting Mix or Espoma Potting Mix! The brand isn't a must, but they do make quite good potting soils. The label "potting mix" or "potting soil" is what you need to look for. What a good plant parent; loving your plant-child no matter what is a commitment I wish more people could make! Also, I'm like 12% Scottish.

You have to decide if you want to keep your Impatiens indoors or outside as an annual. In either case, prune back all of the stems as much as you can stand even if that means removing most of the leaves. The pruning is the only way to eliminate the bare, leggy stems as new growth will emerge mostly at the tip-ends of the stems.

If you keep it inside year-round, then locate it on a sunny window sill. Water it thoroughly as soon as the surface of the soil feels dry.

It is prone to spider mites as well as aphids.

Busy Lizzies are commonly grown as houseplants here in the UK. As Will says if you repot into a better pot with good compost and trim back the leggy stems it will probably recover and thrive.