If you follow these amazing Petunia Care Tips, you’ll be able to grow the most colorful and abundant flowers in containers!
Petunias are no doubt one of the most popular annual flowers and the best to grow in containers. However, in warmer areas (considerably USDA Zones 9-11), they are tender perennials. Growing Petunias in Containers have some requirements, and you can do it easily by following these Petunia Care Tips!
Check out our article on ivy houseplant care tips here
Growing Petunias in Containers
You can start propagating petunias in spring using the leaves. Clip leaves with petiole, dip the end in a rooting hormone, and plant them in a well-draining potting mix with the petiole deep in the soil.
You can also grow the plant from cuttings. Take a 4-6 inches long stem and grow it in a well-draining potting mix.
Growing it from seeds is the best option as it grows really fast.
Water well, and keep the pot where it gets plenty of bright and indirect light. The leaves will root in 3-5 weeks.
Best Pot Size for Growing Petunias in Containers
You can start the plant in a 6-8 inches pot. As it grows, re-pot it in a size bigger container, according to its spread.
Requirements for Growing Growing Petunias in Containers
Sunlight
To bloom abundantly, petunias require a good soak in the sun for at least 5-6 hours. They love warmth and sunlight. Keep your potted plants in a spot that receives full sun.
Tip: Those living in USDA Zones 9-11 and other warmer regions can provide shade in the afternoon.
Soil
For growing the best petunias in pots, your growing medium must drain freely. A soil-less mix is right for this purpose. Either buy it or make your own. We have a great article on making potting mix here.
Watering
Petunias may recover from the underwatering shock, but overwatering is the main reason why container-grown petunias die. This attractive flowering plant requires moderate watering and slightly moist soil during the day.
Water regularly but let the soil dry out between the watering spells to avoid root rot.
Taking Care of Petunias in Containers
Fertilizing
Petunias are greedy plants when it comes to fertilizer. Either apply slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting or feed them every other week using the diluted liquid fertilizer like 10-10-10.
Additionally, the application of compost on top of the surface can be made too. If your container-grown petunias have lush foliage and less or no flowers, you may need to apply a fertilizer that is low in nitrogen.
Pinching
If you’ve bought petunia plants from a nursery or growing them from transplants, pinch off the top one inch from each stem and remove all flowers.
If grown from seeds, baby petunias (multifloras and grandifloras), when they’re 5-6 inches tall, pinch them back a little to promote more vigorous side shoots. Milifloras (spreading petunias) don’t require this.
Deadheading
This is one of the essential petunia care tips you need to follow. Remove faded flowers so that the plant can concentrate its energy on producing more blooms. It’s also important to remove the seed developing portion below each flower.
Pests and Diseases
Common garden pests, especially aphids, affect this beautiful flowering plant the most. So keep an eye on them and look on and under the leaves to identify the infestation.
To keep potential diseases at bay, avoid overwatering and provide plenty of air circulation.
Good information for people like me that love petunias!
Love the information. Have loved petunias since I was very young,my mamaw grew loads of them in east Texas, you could smell the scent of the dark purple ones as soon as you were near her house. I’m in hot dry S.Tx.now and have had very little luck growing petunias here, will try your tips, wish me luck 🐝
This was very informative.
Petunias love heat? Then mine must be freaks. I live in N. California about 1/4 mile from the ocean and lots of wind. My plants in containers are blooming their heads off.
When deadheading do you remind ve the entire stem or only the flower part ?
Millifloras : Milliflora petunias are much smaller than any other petunias on the market. The flowers are only 1 to 1? inches wide, but they are prolific and last all season!
Have a problem during summer with a powdery white fungus attacks plants leaving leaves sticky to touch
My petunias are in hot sunny sw Florida. How much should I water??
I my petunias are nit growing like they should there on the porch and get at least 6 hours of sunlight a day water theme every other day or as needed dead head them cut back stragglers they don’t look good to me