How To Plant, Grow, and Care For Petunias

Petunia is one of the most impressive and brilliant flowers available in a wide variety of colors. But to enjoy the beauty of the flowers, you need to know some details about how to care for them.

Petunia is a perennial plant, but currently used hybrids are genetically programmed to produce many flowers so they are biologically sparing very quickly.

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.