how cold can impatiens tolerate

Impatiens are tender, warmth-loving plants that cannot tolerate frost and start to struggle well before freezing.

Quick Scoop

• Most impatiens are happiest between about 60–75°F (15–24°C).

• They begin to experience stress if temperatures stay below about 50°F (10°C) for long.

• Light frost or temperatures around 32°F (0°C) can severely damage or kill them; even a brief dip to around 30°F (-1°C) may only rarely be survived and often causes defoliation.

• Many gardeners treat impatiens as annuals in regions with cold winters because they cannot overwinter outdoors where frost is common.

Practical rule of thumb

• Try to keep impatiens above 50°F (10°C) whenever possible.

• Do not plant them outside until the danger of frost has passed in your area, and be ready to cover or bring them in if a cold snap towards freezing is forecast.

If the night forecast is headed for the mid‑40s°F (around 7°C) or lower, it’s time to protect your impatiens—move containers indoors or under shelter, or cover plants in the ground.

Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.