Petunia plants are annual flowering plants that are native to South America. They are part of the Solanaceae family, which includes tomatoes, peppers, and eggplants. Petunias have a wide variety of colors, shapes, and sizes, and are popular for their bright, showy flowers. They are easy to grow and can be planted in the ground or in containers. Petunias prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They need to be watered regularly and fertilized every two to four weeks. Petunias are also popular for their ability to attract butterflies and other beneficial insects.
Planning Your Garden With Petunias
As you plan your garden, it's important to think about the spacing, size, light, and nutrient requirements of all of your plant and how they'll grow together.
Some plants require more water than others, while other plants require dry soil. At the same time, some plants prefer full sun, and other plants need the shade to survive.
By studying what each plant requires and planning ahead where all of your plants will grow best, you can optimize your garden space.
| Life Cycle | Petunias are typically annuals, although some varieties may be perennial in warmer climates. |
| USDA Zone | Petunias are generally hardy in USDA Zones 10-11. |
| Cold Tolerance | Petunias are a warm season crop and can usually only tolerate temperatures as low as 28. |
| Days to harvest | The minimum number of days to harvest petunias is usually around 60 days. |
| Average size | The average size of a full grown petunia plant is between 12 and 24 inches in height and width. |
| Spacing requirements | Petunias prefer to be spaced 6-12 inches apart when planted in the ground and 4-6 inches apart when planted in containers. |
| Sun tolerance | Most petunias can tolerate full sun, but some varieties may need some shade during the hottest parts of the day. |
| Shade tolerance | Petunias are generally considered to be tolerant of partial shade, but they will produce more flowers and grow more vigorously in full sun. |
| Water requirements | Petunias need moist, well-drained soil and should be watered regularly, especially during periods of drought. They prefer 1-2 inches of water per week, either from rainfall or watering, and should not be allowed to dry out completely. During hot, dry weather, petunias may need to be watered more frequently. |
| Fertilizer | The amount of fertilizer you should use when growing petunias depends on the type of fertilizer you are using and the type of petunias you are growing. Generally, a balanced fertilizer with an N-P-K ratio of 10-10-10 is recommended. For container-grown petunias, use 1 teaspoon of fertilizer per gallon of soil. For petunias grown in the ground, use 1/2 cup of fertilizer per 10 square feet of soil. |
| Soil pH | The optimum pH for growing petunias is 6.0 to 6.5. |
Why Petunias are Popular
People like to grow petunias because they are easy to care for, come in a variety of colors and sizes, and can be used in a variety of ways in the garden. Petunias are also known for their long-lasting blooms and ability to attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Companion Plants For Petunias
Companion planting is a great way to maximize your garden space and get the most out of your plants. By planting certain plants together, you can help each other thrive. In some cases, you can even help each other repel pests.
Popular companion plants for petunias include:
Common Pests For Petunias
Plant pests are a common problem for gardeners. By understanding what pests are common for your plants, you can take steps to prevent them from damaging your plants.
When you grow petunias, keep an eye out for these common pests:
- slugs
- aphids
- caterpillars
- whiteflies
- spider mites
- mealybugs
USDA Zones
USDA zones are a popular way of determining which plants can grow in your area. Zones tell you when your average first and last frost date are, as well as how cold you can expect it to get in the winter.
Our site works best if you choose your zone from the list below. If you do not know your USDA zone, then you can use our zone map.
