How to Grow Petunia Plants in your Garden

Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Petunias in the Garden

Petunia are half hardy annuals that reach from 30 to 45 cm (12 to 18 inches) in height.

This makes them ideal plants for borders and edging.

Petunia flower with trumpet like flowers of many different colours (red, white, bicoloured, yellow, purple) and the plants bloom from the latter half of spring until the first frost of winter.

In-depth advice on how to grow Petunia hybrida.

Petunia Growing Guide and Facts

Common Names: Petunia: Grandiflora; Hedgiflora; Multiflora; Milliflora.
Scientific Name: Petunia axillaris; P. exserta; P. integrifolia; P. parviflora; P. Supertunia; P. variabilis.
Cultivers: Carpet; Caschamp; Charlie's Angels; Conblue; Constraw; Dancasye; Keilavbu; Mirage; Happy Dream; Hybrida; Shihi Brilliant; Storm Lavender; Storm Pink; Suntosol.
Life Cycle: Half hardy annual.
Height: 4 to 20 inches (10 to 50 cm).
Native: South America.
Growing Region: Zones 1 to 10.

How to Grow Petunia

Petunia seeds should be sown outdoors on the soil surface after the last frost of spring. Petunias should be grown in an area of the garden that is sunny or partially shaded, and thrive in a moist soil.

Ideally the soil that Petunia grows in should have organic matter added at the time of sowing, and be of pH 6 to 7.5.

You may prefer to start off Petunias indoors (this is strongly recommended for hybrids).

They should be started about ten weeks before they are due to be transplanted in the garden (after the last frost of spring).

It usually takes one to three weeks for plants to germinate at a temperature of 21 to 27 degrees centigrade (70 to 80°F). Germionate in the light.

Once ready the Petunia seedlings should be spaced about 20 to 25 cm (8 to 10 inches) apart.

Caring for Petunias

Once the young Petunia plants are growing healthily outdoors pinch back the tips; this will encourage branching and result in a bushier plant.

Petunias like to grow in moist ground so keep well watered. Once flourishing feed with a fertilizer, repeat about a month later.

It is best to deadhead the flowers and tidy up once they have finished flowering.

Towards the end of summer, cut the whole plant back by about half. This may result in a second bloom.

Most of the Petunias that have colored flowers carry recessive genes, so if you require more plants of the same color it is best to grow them from purchased seeds.

Alternatively allow to self (this will produce mainly white flowered Petunia plants, but some should be the same as the parent).

Common Questions

How many members does the Petunia genus contain?

The Petunia genus contains around 20 species of flowering plants.

Do Petunia members make a good garden or landscaping plant?

Yes, Petunia is highly popular in gardens and landscaping for their wide variety of vibrant colors and their generous, long-lasting blooms. They are excellent for containers, hanging baskets, or as bedding plants.

Which Petunia species are most frequently grown by gardeners?

Most garden petunias are hybrids of Petunia axillaris and Petunia integrifolia, bred for a wide variety of colors, patterns, and forms.

Are Petunia plants fragrant?

Some varieties of Petunia emit a sweet fragrance, particularly in the evening.

What is the perfect location to grow Petunia?

Petunia plants prefer full sun to light shade and well-drained soil. They do best in moderate climates and may require regular watering in hot weather.

Is Petunia invasive in the USA, if so in which states?

While some petunias can self-seed, they are not generally considered invasive in the USA.

How do I remove Petunia plants from my garden?

Petunia plants can be removed by pulling up the entire plant. They may self-seed, so removing flowers before they set seed can help control their spread.

Summary

The Petunia plants genus, part of the Solanaceae family, consists of annual or perennial plants renowned for their beautiful trumpet-shaped flowers. They bloom in a variety of vibrant colors, making them popular for their ornamental value.

Petunia plants thrive in full sun and well-drained soil. Planting is typically done in spring after the risk of frost has passed. Perfect for containers, hanging baskets, or borders, they provide a striking splash of color to any garden setting.

I hope that you enjoyed this guide on how to grow petunia plants. You may also enjoy my gardening guides on how to grow Polyantha Roses, Helianthemum plant, and Hibiscus syriacus plants.