Petunia Plant Care

Petunia (Petunia hybrida) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Petunia genus. Petunia is native to South America. Petunia is also known as Garden Petunia.

Petunia displays a compact, mounding habit growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 1 ft. Petunia produces abundant trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors.

Water a young or newly planted Petunia every 3–5 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Petunia thrives in full sun to part shade.

Petunia hybrida tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Petunia prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Petunia to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Petunia every 2 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with full sun to part shade and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Petunia is suited to USDA Zone 9a – 11b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Petunia can spread to about 1 ft (0.3 m) and reach about 1 ft (0 m) tall. Space plants about 1 ft (0.3 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Petunia while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Petunia is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 9). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Petunia can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Petunia is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Petunia grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Petunia is native to South America. In cooler regions, grow Petunia as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.