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EmailBotanical name: Petunia
Plant type: Flower
Sun exposure: Full Sun
Flower color: Red, Pink, Yellow, Purple, White
Bloom time: Spring, Summer, Fall
Petunias are one of the most popular type of annual. They are divided into two different groups: Grandiflora petunias have very large flowers and are best grown in containers or hanging baskets (because they are more susceptible to rain damage), and Multiflora petunias have smaller, but more abundant flowers and are ideal for summer bedding or in a mixed border (because they are more tolerant to wet weather).
Planting
- You can grow petunias from seeds, but it is easier to grow them from transplants. If you are going to grow from seeds, start them indoors 10 to 12 weeks before you want to set them outside. Petunia seeds are very small and needs lots of light in order to germinate. Remember to water them. When the plants have three leaves, you can plant them outside.
- It's best to buy transplants and plant them in light, well-drained soil in full sun after the last spring frost. Petunias can grow in partial shade, but they will have fewer flowers. It's better if the plants have shelter from the wind.
- Space the plants about 1 foot apart.
- If you're planting petunias in containers, use a soil-less mix.
Care
- Petunias are tolerant of heat so you don't have to water them regularly. A thorough watering once a week should be sufficient (unless there are prolonged periods of drought in your area). The spreading types and those in containers require more frequent watering though.
- Fertilize your plants monthly to ensure good growth. Double-flowered cultivars like a biweekly dose of fertilizer.
- Remove faded/dead flowers to prolong blooming.
Pests
Recommended Varieties
- Carpet Series, which is ideal for a ground cover and offers a wide variety of colors
- Sugar Daddy (Petunia Daddy Series), which sports purple flowers with dark veins.
- Rose Star (Petunia Ultra Series), whose flowers look striped because of its rose-pink flowers with a white cen
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Comments
By Anonymous on May 17
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How can I save seed from my petunias? I have never seen any but can purchase seed every spring. I save my seed from all my plants wherever possible
By Almanac Staff on May 21
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You can save petunia seeds, however, over 99% of these flowers are hybrids so do not expect to get the same plant type or color combination. It will be an experiment!
It's easy to save the seeds. After the plant dries up, snap off the dried flowers and the seeds will pour out. Petunias often reseed themselves, too.
By Anonymous on May 9
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Do lady bugs kill the flowers??
By Anonymous on May 14
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No! Lady bugs are actually GOOD for flowers. Some green houses even sell lady bugs for flower beds!
By Anonymous
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These flowers grow beautifully and very easily in Pakistan. The weather is just perfect. The only thing is that you will need to water them 2-3 times a week.Pakistan is one of the very few countries that grows mangrove trees abunduntly and easily so the soil is perfect.
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