When To Plant Petunias

When to plant petunias

If you want to grow petunias from seed, start the seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before your last spring frost date. (See your local frost dates.) Plant young petunias outdoors after your last spring frost date, but keep a close eye on the weather forecast and protect young plants from late frosts.

Do petunias come back every year?

There's a lot to love about petunias, but what many gardeners miss is that you can actually keep them around from one year to the next, to bloom and thrive again.

Do petunias like full sun or shade?

Site and soil Petunias need at least 5 or 6 hours of good sunlight; they'll perform even better when located in full sun all day. The more shade they receive, the fewer flowers they'll produce.

Can you plant petunias in the fall?

Petunias will be SPECTACULAR this next spring if you plant them this fall or winter. They will reward you with many more blooms and a much longer blooming period in the spring.

Do petunias do better in pots or in the ground?

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!

Is it too early to put out petunias?

Petunias are tender and won't tolerate any frost at all, so you mustn't plant them outside until late spring or early summer. Petunias need a good rich soil to perform well. In borders, prepare the soil by mixing in plenty of well-rotted compost or soil conditioner, in advance of planting.

Should you deadhead petunias?

You should deadhead petunias because it encourages them to bloom more vigorously. After the blossoms become brown and dried up, the plant uses its energy to produce seeds. What is this? When you remove the dead blooms and seed pods, the plant will be able to use that energy to produce more flowers instead.

Should you water petunias every day?

Petunias prefer full sunlight, so be aware, container plants may dry out more quickly during hot weather periods. During such periods the plants require two daily waterings. Bedded plants need water when the top 12-15 cm (5-6 inches) begin to dry. Bedded plants need once-a-week a deep watering.

What is the lifespan of petunia?

In cold climates, petunias are annuals and only last one growing season. Within their warmer growing zones, petunias will come back every year but still don't last very long—about three years.

What temperature is too hot for petunias?

Petunias thrive when nighttime temperatures are in the 55 to 65°F range, and daytime temps are between 61 and 80°F. They will succumb to sub-freezing temperatures in a hurry, and anything below 40°F may kill them, though Wave® petunias can tolerate temperatures as low as 35°F.

Why do my petunias keep dying?

Petunia flowers are highly sensitive to ethylene, a naturally-occurring plant hormone that causes petunia flowers to wilt and die prematurely. Ethylene is a colorless and odorless gas that's produced either within the flower or may be present in the air.

Can petunias take hot afternoon sun?

Not only are petunias heat tolerant, but their vibrant blooms add just the right amount of color to your yard.

How long will petunias last in fall?

Petunias will last and bloom all summer long and into fall, until the first frost However, they are technically tender perennials, you can bring them indoors and keep them through the winter as houseplants in a sunny window where they'll get at least 6 hours of sunlight.

Is it better to water petunias in the morning or the evening?

Best Time To Water Petunias Watering the plants early in the morning can help sustain the plants through the early afternoon, typically the warmest and sunniest part of the day. During the winter, Petunias go dormant and will need less water. Wait until the top few inches of soil are dry to water.

How do you keep petunias blooming?

How to Keep Petunias Blooming All Summer

MAKE SURE THEY GET ENOUGH SUN. Petunias need at least 6 hours of full sun per day.
WATER THEM WELL. Keep the soil consistently moist, but not soggy. ...
APPLY FERTILIZER REGULARLY. Apply a controlled-release fertilizer when you plant your petunias. ...
GIVE THEM A TRIM.

Should I put Miracle Grow on my petunias?

Best Fertilizer For Petunias Apply a balanced liquid fertilizer with an 8-8-8 or 10-10-10 ratio throughout the growing season, or use a product like Miracle Grow. Feeding the plants throughout the growing season will ensure consistent growth and lots of flowers.

Do coffee grounds help petunias?

First and foremost, coffee grounds are an excellent, slow-release source of nitrogen. And nitrogen is a key component in making flowers flower, and vegetable plants produce. But in addition to providing nitrogen, coffee grounds add incredible organic material and matter to the soil.

How do I keep my petunias from getting leggy?

Have you ever asked yourself, “How do I make my petunias fuller?” Preventing leggy petunias requires that you cut back the branches by one quarter or one half on a regular basis. This may be hard to do, as your petunia plant may be in full bloom when you do this. You can cut back all the branches at once.

What happens if you plant petunias too close together?

If you plant flowers too close together, the plants get stressed and are prone to diseases, Kole says. If air can't properly circulate and the plants can't dry out between waterings, fungus sets in. Roots can rot. And once plants are weakened from stress, insects move in.

Do petunias like morning sun or afternoon sun?

Petunias need at least five or six hours of solid, uninterrupted sunlight a day, though full sun all day is even better. In very hot climates, where the heat of summer may cause plants to decline, some light afternoon shade is appreciated.