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Impatiens New Guinea Divine Mix

Impatiens hawkeri 'Divine Mix'

These heat-tolerant beauties solved the shade gardener's dilemma with their ability to bloom prolifically in both sun and shade while resisting the downy mildew that devastated traditional impatiens. Their large, vibrant flowers and glossy bronze-green foliage create stunning displays all season long.

Harvest

90-100d

Days to harvest

📅

Sun

im-PAY-shens HAWK-er-ee

☀️

Zones

10–12

USDA hardiness

🗺️

Height

6-24 inches

📏

Planting Timeline

Zone:

Jan

Feb

Mar

Apr

May

Jun

Jul

Aug

Sep

Oct

Nov

Dec

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Start Indoors

Transplant

Direct Sow

Showing dates for Impatiens New Guinea Divine Mix in USDA Zone 7

All Zone 7 flower →

Zone Map

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Impatiens New Guinea Divine Mix · Zones 10–12

What grows well in Zone 7? →

Growing Details

Difficulty

Moderate

Spacing10-12 inches

SoilRich, well-drained, organic matter

pH5.8-6.2

WaterConsistent moisture, 1-1.5 inches per week

SeasonWarm season annual

FlavorNot edible

ColorMix of pink, red, coral, white, and bicolors

Size2-3 inches across

Zone-by-Zone Planting Calendar

Zone	Indoor Start	Transplant	Direct Sow	Harvest
Zone 3	April – May	June – July	June – August	—
Zone 4	March – April	June – June	June – July	—
Zone 5	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 6	March – April	May – June	May – July	—
Zone 7	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 8	February – March	April – May	April – June	—
Zone 9	January – February	March – April	March – May	—
Zone 10	January – January	February – March	February – April	—

Complete Growing Guide

Light: im-PAY-shens HAWK-er-ee. Soil: High Organic Matter, Loam (Silt). Drainage: Good Drainage, Moist. Height: 0 ft. 6 in. - 2 ft. 0 in.. Spread: 1 ft. 6 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.. Spacing: 12 inches-3 feet. Growth rate: Medium. Maintenance: Medium.

Harvesting

Fruits are explosive capsules rolling suddenly inward, and have a ribbed, rubbery-succulent texture.

Type: Capsule.

Bloom time: Fall, Spring, Summer

Storage & Preservation

Fresh cut stems of Impatiens New Guinea Divine Mix last 5-7 days in arrangements when properly handled. Immediately place cut stems in lukewarm water and recut under running water before arranging. Add floral preservative or a teaspoon of sugar plus a few drops of bleach to vase water.

These flowers don't preserve well through traditional drying methods due to their high water content, but you can press individual blooms between absorbent paper for craft projects. Change the paper after 24 hours, then press for an additional week.

For gardeners in zones 9-11, you can overwinter plants by taking 4-inch cuttings before first frost, rooting them in water, then growing as houseplants. In colder zones, collect seeds from dried pods in fall—though as hybrids, they won't come true to type but may produce interesting variations.

History & Origin

Origin: Solomon Island, New Guinea, and New Ireland

Advantages

+Exceptional downy mildew resistance when traditional impatiens fail completely
+Performs equally well in full sun or partial shade, unlike most impatiens varieties
+Larger flowers (2-3 inches) create more dramatic visual impact than traditional varieties
+Bronze-green foliage adds year-round interest even when not blooming
+Heat tolerance allows continuous blooming through summer temperatures up to 90°F
+Self-cleaning blooms reduce maintenance compared to other bedding plants
+Extended bloom period from late spring until hard frost without decline

Considerations

-Seeds are expensive and have lower germination rates than traditional impatiens
-Requires 12-14 week indoor growing period, making it challenging for beginner gardeners
-Plants are significantly more expensive than traditional impatiens if buying transplants
-Cannot tolerate any frost and must be replanted annually in most climates
-More susceptible to root rot than traditional varieties if drainage is poor

Companion Plants

Plant Together

Begonia

Similar shade and moisture requirements, complementary colors and textures

Coleus

Thrives in same partial shade conditions, provides contrasting foliage

Caladium

Shares preference for warm, humid conditions and filtered light

Torenia

Compatible growing conditions and bloom times, attracts beneficial pollinators

Browallia

Similar water and shade requirements, complementary blue flowers

Fuchsia

Both prefer partial shade and consistent moisture, attract hummingbirds

Sweet Potato Vine

Provides ground cover while impatiens grow upright, similar care needs

Lobelia

Compatible moisture needs, trailing habit complements upright impatiens

Keep Apart

Marigold

Allelopathic compounds can inhibit impatiens growth and flowering

Walnut Tree

Releases juglone which is toxic to impatiens and causes wilting

Eucalyptus

Produces allelopathic oils that suppress growth of nearby flowering plants

Nutrition Facts

Calories

15kcal(1%)

Protein

1.03g(2%)

Carbs

3.28g(1%)

Fat

0.07g(0%)

Vitamin C

28mg(31%)

Vitamin A

97mcg(11%)

Iron

0.7mg(4%)

Calcium

39mg(3%)

Potassium

173mg(4%)

Per 100g serving. % Daily Value based on 2,000 calorie diet. Source: USDA FoodData Central (FDC #169270)

Pests & Disease Resistance

Resistance

Resistant to downy mildew, good general disease resistance

Common Pests

Aphids, spider mites, thrips

Diseases

Root rot if overwatered, bacterial wilt

Frequently Asked Questions

How long do New Guinea impatiens Divine Mix take to bloom from seed?▼

Divine Mix typically takes 90-100 days from seeding to first flowers. Since you'll start seeds indoors 12-14 weeks before last frost, expect blooms to begin about 4-6 weeks after transplanting outdoors, usually late May to early June in most climates. The long growing period is necessary for these robust plants to develop their full flowering potential.

Can you grow New Guinea impatiens Divine Mix in full sun?▼

Yes, Divine Mix thrives in full sun, unlike traditional impatiens. In zones 3-6, full sun is actually preferred and produces the most blooms. In hot southern climates (zones 8-11), morning sun with afternoon shade prevents heat stress, but these plants can handle much more sun exposure than regular impatiens without wilting or declining.

Are New Guinea impatiens Divine Mix good for containers?▼

Excellent for containers! Use pots at least 12 inches wide with drainage holes, and plant one per container for best results. Their upright growth habit and continuous blooming make them perfect for patio containers, window boxes, and hanging baskets. Container growing also allows you to move plants to optimal light conditions and provides better drainage control.

What's the difference between New Guinea impatiens and regular impatiens?▼

New Guinea impatiens like Divine Mix have larger flowers, thicker stems, bronze-tinted foliage, and superior disease resistance, especially to downy mildew. They tolerate full sun and heat much better than traditional impatiens but require a longer growing season and are more expensive. Regular impatiens prefer shade and have smaller, more delicate flowers.

Do New Guinea impatiens Divine Mix come back every year?▼

No, they're annuals in most climates and won't survive frost. In zones 10-11, they may overwinter outdoors, and in zone 9 with protection. You can take cuttings before frost and grow them indoors as houseplants, then replant outside after danger of frost passes, but most gardeners start fresh each year.

Why are my New Guinea impatiens Divine Mix not blooming?▼

Most commonly caused by insufficient light, over-fertilizing with nitrogen, or inconsistent watering. These plants need at least 4-6 hours of direct sunlight daily for heavy blooming. Reduce nitrogen fertilizer if you see lots of leaves but few flowers, and ensure soil stays consistently moist but not waterlogged. Cool temperatures below 60°F also reduce flowering.