Impatiens Flower Meaning and Symbolism

Impatiens flowers are native to East Africa and are members of the Basaminaceae family.

They are popularly known as ‘touch me not’. George Bowles discovered impatiens in 1632, and Carl Linneasa, a Swedish naturalist, named it impatiens noli-tangere.

Impatiens flowers come in many varieties, but the most common and widely cultivated is impatiens walleriana. This blog post discusses the flower meaning and symbolism of impatiens flowers.

Meaning and Symbolism of the Impatiens Flowers

The history of impatiens species gives the flower its rich meaning and symbolism. Having said that, impatiens flowers are commonly associated with maternal love.

Meaning and Symbolism of Impatiens Flowers

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However, in other cultures, impatiens means impatience because the ripe seed pods burst open at the slightest touch, just as the name implies. Impatiens flowers fall under the dominion of the planet Jupiter.

Cultural Significance of Impatiens Flowers

As we have already mentioned, the rich meaning and symbolism of the impatiens flowers lie in their diverse varieties. Let’s get into what impatiens flowers mean to different cultures.

China

Impatiens flowers were used to treat snake bites. The Balsamina variety was the most popular for this.

The Chinese combined the juice from the plant’s stem with rice to make a mixture that was used to reduce swelling. This concoction was also used to treat bruises.

It was also thought that the stem was dried and ground into an ointment. Furthermore, the flowers were thought to have medicinal value because they were used to treat back pain.

Ancient Chinese combined impatiens, orchids, and rose flowers to make nail polish.

Vietnam

Cultural Significance of Impatiens Flowers

In Vietnam, extracts from the impatiens balsamnia were used in hair products. The Vietnamese believed the impatiens extracts stimulate hair growth.

Native American Culture 

Impatiens capensis was used to treat a variety of ailments in Native American culture. They were also used in the production of dye.

France

It was believed in French culture that if a girl touched impatiens, the flowers would recoil and fade if she was not a virgin.

Color Meaning and Symbolism of Impatiens Flowers

Impatiens flowers are available in a variety of colors, including white, red, pink, purple, and yellow. The color meaning of impatiens flowers differs from that of other flowers. What do the different impatiens colors mean?

Red Impatiens Flower Meaning

Red Impatiens Flower Meaning

Red is a color associated with passion, love, and romance. Red impatiens, on the other hand, do not have that connotation. Red impatiens are associated with impatience. 

Yellow Impatiens Flower Meaning

Yellow Impatiens Flower Meaning

Although yellow flowers are always associated with warmth and rebirth, yellow impatiens flowers are the polar opposite and represent impatience.

Pink Impatiens Flower Meaning

Pink Impatiens Flower Meaning

Pink flowers have long been associated with femininity and love. Pink is associated with motherly love in impatiens.

Significance of the Impatiens Flowers based on Variety

Impatiens Hawkeri

Impatiens Hawkeri

Impatiens hawkeri is a species of flowering plant in the family Balsaminaceae, commonly known as New Guinea impatiens.

It is native to New Guinea and nearby islands but is widely cultivated as an ornamental plant in many parts of the world. 

It has been traded in New Guinea for generations.

Impatiens Glandulifera

Impatiens Glandulifera

In Nepal, where it is most common, this impatiens variety is known as a policeman’s helmet. This is due to its resemblance to a helmet.

Impatiens glandulifera is usually considered a weed by some.

Impatiens Capensis

Significance of the Impatiens Flowers based on Variety

Impatiens capensis also known as Spotted touch-me-not is commonly found in North America. Native Americans exploited the medicinal properties of this flower.

It was used to treat skin conditions such as warts and ivy rash. Impatiens capensis was also beneficial in killing bacteria and fungi.

It is commonly known as snap weed and jewelweed because the leaves of the flower resemble gems.

Impatiens Walleriana

Impatiens Walleriana

Impatiens walleriana is the most common in the world. Impatiens walleriana was named after botanist Horace Waller.

Waller and David Livingstone popularized impatiens walleriana because they collected them in their expeditions.

Impatiens Balsamina

Impatiens Balsamina

Impatiens Balsamina originated in India and has since spread throughout Asia. Every part of the plant was widely used for medicinal purposes throughout Asia.

Wrapping Up.

The meaning and symbolism of this beautiful flower are influenced by the many varieties of impatiens flowers. Impatiens flowers represent motherly love. It simply represents impatience in some cultures.

Outsidepride 100 Seeds Impatiens Plant Lavender Shade Garden Flower Seeds for Planting
  • Impatiens (Impatiens Walleriana Extreme Lavender) – A true, unique beauty to add to your impatiens flower garden.
  • These impatiens plants grow in USDA zones 3 – 10 as an annual plant reaching 6 – 8 inches tall.
  • This Extreme Lavender Impatiens variety is easily grown from flower seeds. Plant Impatiens seeds shallow and keep the seeds moist and you soon will have the very compact, mounded 6 – 8 inch impatiens plant growing in your flower garden.
  • With its low growing 6 – 8 inch height, this Impatiens is one of our lowest growing varieties available from Impatiens seeds.
  • Sowing Rate: 6 – 8 seeds per plant to begin growing your lavender impatiens plants.
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