Sunpatiens

My cousins the New Guinea Impatiens are an "understory" plant from the tropics, where they enjoy warm dappled shade beneath larger plants and trees, and get the occasional drenching of tropical rain. So I would be happy somewhere similar in your garden or balcony, but don't forget I've been specially selected to enjoy full sun, so that's where me and my cousins are different.

As the saying goes, "A little bit of what you fancy does you good". In my case, what I fancy is to get a regular drink so my compost is moist and well-drained, but not wet. Yes, I know, it can be a tricky balance for busy people. The most important thing is, don't let me dry out completely or sit in waterlogged compost.

I taste disgusting, and if I'm eaten I can cause vomiting or diarrhoea, so much so that you might need that Preparation H.

Nope! I'm a tropical plant and there's no way I'll survive any kind of wintry weather. If you feel like a challenge you can try bringing me indoors over winter, and plant me back outside again next summer. If I'm indoors I'll want to be near a bright window where I can look outside and watch the world go by while I daydream of warm summer days.

Each year I can absorb up to 50g of CO2

 

That's about enough to:

• Fill 1 golf ball
• Drive a car for up to 200 yards
• Make 1/2 small cup of tea

 

*rough estimate using data sourced from:

haskins.co.uk

cogo.zendesk.com