The Impatiens walleriana , usually called joys of home, bear ears or just joys are a very popular plant gardening both indoor and outdoor, thanks mainly to its great capacity flowering, rapid growth and natural resistance. In this article we are going to see how to get the most out of those companions of showy flowers that beautify any room or garden.
If you want to learn how to give them what they need to be beautiful, take note of this practical guide to care for the joys of home .
Characteristics of the joys of the home
The joys of the house, also called Impatients wallerana , are plants of the genus Impatiens , from Africa. It is a perennial and succulent herbaceous plant that reaches up to 60 cm in height and stands out, among other things, for its ability to produce red and pink flowers throughout the year if properly cared for.
Also common are Impatiens hawkeri , a relative also called Guinean joy, and Impatiens balsamina , although most of the species found in shops are hybrids of home joy.
Plant joys of the home: care – practical guide
Next, we explain some aspects of the life of these plants so that you take them into account when taking care of them, take note of this basic care guide for the joys of the home :
Location and light
When choosing the location for the joy of the house, you must bear in mind that the plant needs a very bright environment but without direct exposure in the strongest hours of sun, as this would wither its flowers. If you are going to plant it in the garden, do it in a semi-shady space, while if you decide to have it in an interior room, we recommend that you place the pot in a very bright space but where it does not receive direct exposure at midday.
Regarding the pot, joy blooms when its roots become tangled, so it is advisable to change the pot for one that is larger in spring, but only if you really need it and its roots have covered the entire space of the substrate.
Temperature
This plant is typical of tropical climates, so if you live in environments where the temperature drops to 13ºC or less, your joys may suffer a lot. When we talk about hot climates, on the other hand, you should know that these plants can withstand temperatures of up to 24ºC without problems , although the ideal is that they are somewhat below this value.
Irrigation and humidity
Alegrías have the great ability to retain water due to their condition as succulents, but they appreciate being always in humid soil. In winter, a weekly watering will be enough, while in summer you will have to water them often and regularly, always avoiding wetting the leaves so that they do not suffer a fungal attack.
Pass
The plant will appreciate a supply of liquid fertilizer that helps it to flower. This can be done weekly in the summer months, but in winter you can space it out more or even stop it, especially if you live in cold climates.
Flowering
As we have already said, a healthy house joy blooms practically all year round . This means that if the plant stops sprouting new flowers, it is probably either because it needs a transplant or because it suffers from some problem related to the needs mentioned above.
Reproduction of the joys of the house
Reproducing alegrías by cuttings is very simple. If you have questions about how to play, follow these steps:
- To start, you should cut the cuttings in spring or summer with stems of about 10 cm.
- Then remove the lower leaves and leave them in water until they take root.
- Next, you can plant them in pots with moistened and fertilized substrate and keep them away from intense light for about 15 days.
- After that time, you can now treat the cutting as an adult plant and dedicate the aforementioned common care to it.
Common diseases and pests of the joys of the house
The joy of the house is a plant quite resistant to most threats and, in addition, it does not tend to present its own problems. However, there are two common problems that are worth keeping in mind:
- The first problem is fungi: if you live in cold or humid environments, or if you have watered your joy too much or have wet the leaves while doing so, it is possible that the plant suffers the attack of fungi. If this happens, you will be able to see them on their leaves and on their petals. At this point, we recommend you reduce the irrigation dose and use a fungicide (preferably homemade) to restore health to the plant.
- The second threat is the spider mite: they tend to appear only in very dry areas, and the sign that they are there is their recognizable brown-toned cobwebs and the fact that the plant shows some leaves that are more curved than natural. Against the spider, it is best to use an appropriate insecticide.
