The Parrot Impatiens is an amusing rarity from Africa with swarms of outrageous, bird-shaped blooms!  This hard-to-find variegated form combines exciting leaf variegation with non-stop blooming!  People are always surprised to learn that this is an Impatiens.  It's an excellent collector's plant that happens to be easy to grow.

The Parrot Impatiens (Impatiens niamniamensis) is an upright-growing perennial species that gets 2 to 3 feet tall.  It has a handsome "bonsai tree" look, thanks to its stocky growth and brown stems that resemble wood.  The stems are actually succulent and flexible, like typical Impatiens.  The leaves have several shades of variegation, from creamy-white to greenish-yellow, and never revert to the original green form.  The colorful, cornucopia-shaped blooms appear almost constantly throughout the year!  These big, 1½ inch blossoms are scarlet red and yellow, with a lime green hood.  It almost looks like they were dipped in red paint.  The blooms emerge from all over the plant, even on the "old wood".  You won't believe how many flowers this plant puts out!  Kip in Ohio says, "Your photos don't do the plant justice - the blooms are amazing!"

The Parrot Impatiens grows best above 50 degrees F (10°C) and below 85 degrees (29°C).  It might tolerate warmer conditions if nights are cool (below 65°F / 18°C).  It cannot take any frost.  Fortunately it grows well indoors in a pot, making a wonderful, upbeat houseplant!  It prefers bright shade or filtered sun - protect it from strong afternoon sun. Like most Impatiens, it likes fertile, well-draining soil that's kept evenly moist.  Over about 40% humidity is best.  In the right conditions, it's an easy, low-maintenance plant.

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