The Latin specific epithet walleriana honours a British missionary, Horace Waller (1833–1896).

The seedpod explodes when ripe in the same manner as other Impatiens species, an evolutionary adaptation for seed dispersal.

[4] Although perennial in frost-free growing conditions, it is usually treated as a half-hardy annual in temperate regions (though pot-grown plants can be successfully overwintered indoors).

[4] Numerous cultivars in a range of colours from white to purple, are widely available commercially, either as seeds or young plants.

Hope developed this species from its native wild form into one of the most popular bedding plants in the world.