Impatiens vs Red Maple

Side-by-side plant comparison — which is right for your garden?

Impatiens

Impatiens walleriana

Balsaminaceae · flowers

Low Maintenance

Red Maple

Acer rubrum

Aceraceae · trees

Deer ResistantLow Maintenance

Hardiness Zone Range

Impatiens (Zones 10-11)

Red Maple (Zones 3-9)

No zone overlap — these plants cannot be grown in the same climate

Detailed Comparison

Feature	Impatiens	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Impatiens walleriana	Acer rubrum
Family	Balsaminaceae	Aceraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Adaptable
Height	1' 6"	70'
Spread	1' 6"	40'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Mixed	Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Special Traits

Impatiens

No — EdibleNo — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Red Maple

No — EdibleYes — Deer ResistantNo — Drought Tolerant

Care Tips

Impatiens

✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓No deadheading needed — self-cleaning.
✓Pinch for bushier growth.
✓Watch for downy mildew — choose resistant varieties.
✓Feed monthly.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

Which Plant Is Right for Your Garden?

Choose Impatiens if you want a low-maintenance plant. It thrives in part shade to full shade with medium water in zones 10–11.

Choose Red Maple if you want a low-maintenance plant, and want deer resistance. It thrives in full sun to part shade with medium water in zones 3–9.

View ImpatiensProfile →View Red MapleProfile →

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Impatiens and Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

Impatiens grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Impatiens and Red Maple have the same sun and water needs?

Impatiens needs part shade to full shade and medium water, while Red Maple needs full sun to part shade and medium water. Their differing requirements mean you may need separate garden areas for each.

Which grows taller, Impatiens or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Impatiens at 1' 6". Red Maple spreads 40' while Impatiens spreads 1' 6".

Are Impatiens and Red Maple deer resistant?

Red Maple is deer resistant, but Impatiens is not. If deer are a concern, Red Maple is the better choice, or protect Impatiens with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Impatiens or Red Maple?

Both Impatiens and Red Maple have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.

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Detailed Comparison

Feature	Impatiens	Red Maple
Scientific Name	Impatiens walleriana	Acer rubrum
Family	Balsaminaceae	Aceraceae
Category	flowers	trees
Sun	⛅ Part Shade to Full Shade	☀️ Full Sun to Part Shade
Water	💧💧 Medium	💧💧 Medium
Soil	Rich, Moist	Adaptable
Height	1' 6"	70'
Spread	1' 6"	40'
Bloom Season	Spring-Fall	Spring
Bloom Color	Mixed	Red
Growth Rate	Fast	Fast
Native Region	East Africa	Eastern North America
Maintenance	Low	Low

Care Tips

Impatiens

✓Keep soil consistently moist.
✓No deadheading needed — self-cleaning.
✓Pinch for bushier growth.
✓Watch for downy mildew — choose resistant varieties.
✓Feed monthly.

Red Maple

✓Tolerates a wide range of soils.
✓Surface roots can be problematic in lawns.
✓Prune in summer to avoid bleeding sap.
✓Fast growing — 13-24 inches per year.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Impatiens and Red Maple grow in the same hardiness zone?

Impatiens grows in USDA zones 10-11, while Red Maple grows in zones 3-9. These plants have no overlapping hardiness zones, so they cannot be grown together in the same climate.

Do Impatiens and Red Maple have the same sun and water needs?

Which grows taller, Impatiens or Red Maple?

Red Maple grows taller at 70' compared to Impatiens at 1' 6". Red Maple spreads 40' while Impatiens spreads 1' 6".

Are Impatiens and Red Maple deer resistant?

Red Maple is deer resistant, but Impatiens is not. If deer are a concern, Red Maple is the better choice, or protect Impatiens with fencing.

Which is easier to maintain, Impatiens or Red Maple?

Both Impatiens and Red Maple have low maintenance requirements. They need a similar level of care including regular attention to watering, pruning, and soil health.