Petunia Flowers Made Easy: Planting, Pruning, and Pest Tips
A guide to growing gorgeous petunia flowers in your garden or in containers
Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum®. Photo by: Proven Winners
Quick Petunia Facts- Usually grown as an annual
- Full sun (6-8 hours)
- Blooms spring to frost
- Fertilize every 3rd watering or weekly in summer
- Grow in containers or beds
Petunias have long been a staple in sunny flower beds and containers, and it's easy to see why—they’re bright, cheerful, and incredibly easy to grow. But today, there are even more reasons to love these colorful bloomers.
Thanks to innovative plant breeding, petunias come in a wider array of colors, sizes, and growth habits than ever before. Whether you prefer compact varieties with dainty flowers or trailing types that can spread up to 4 feet, there’s a perfect petunia for every garden. Newer hybrids have also been designed for better performance and will thrive with minimal effort. By following these simple care tips for planting, watering, and fertilizing, you will be rewarded with continuous blooms all summer long.
2025 Annual of the Year:
Supertunia Mini Vista® Yellow petunia.
On this page: Basics | Planting | Care | Petunia Pictures | Types | Design Ideas
On this page:
BASICS
Plant type:
Tender perennial, typically grown as an annual
Zones:
9-11
Exposure:
Full sun
Bloom time:
Late spring until frost
Height/spread:
Can vary depending on the variety. Their height typically ranges from 6 to 18 inches while their spread can extend from 12 inches to 4 feet, with trailing varieties covering the most ground.
Flower color and characteristics:
You can find petunias in just about any color, even black, as well as striped, veined, and speckled patterns. The variety of flower forms is also impressive, ranging from petite to palm-sized in single or double blooms with ruffled, fringed, or smooth edges.
“One thing we love about petunias is they come in so many different colors. You can really mix and match and try out different things every season. Every year, we usually try different color combinations.”
— Petunia Plant Chat, Sean and Allison McManus, Spoken Garden, YouTube channel
HOW TO PLANT PETUNIAS
When to plant:
In spring, after the threat of frost has passed.
Where to plant:
For the best performance, plant in full sun (at least six hours a day). They will tolerate some shade, but may not flower as prolifically.
Soil:
They grow best in a light, fertile soil that provides good drainage and is slightly acidic (pH 6 to 6.5). In heavy clay soils, work some compost, or other organic matter into the ground before planting. When planting in containers, use a free-draining soilless potting mix fortified with a slow-release fertilizer.
Grow petunias from seed:
You can also grow many types from seed if you’re after a certain variety not available as a transplant. Because petunia seeds are very tiny and slow to germinate, you’ll have better success starting the seeds indoors 8 to 10 weeks before the last frost date in your area and transplanting the seedlings into the garden once the soil warms up.
PETUNIA CARE
Budworm inside a petunia flower. Photo by: Bhupinder Bagga / Shutterstock
Water:
Petunias need regular watering because their shallow root systems dry out quickly. However, make sure the soil is well drained because soggy soil can cause root rot and yellowed foliage. Petunias grown in containers may need more frequent watering, possibly every day, especially in hot weather.
Fertilizing:
Add a slow-release granular fertilizer at the time of planting and scatter more around the base of the plant about half way through the season. Plus, to keep petunias blooming vigorously throughout the summer, apply a weekly dose of water-soluble fertilizer (or every third watering in cooler climates). Plants in containers often need more frequent fertilizing because the nutrients get washed out.
Pruning and deadheading:
The amount of pruning required often depends on the variety you’re growing.
- Traditional grandifloras require the most work and need frequent deadheading to prevent plants from going to seed.
- Self-cleaning and spreading varieties do fine without pinching or pruning. Occasional deadheading will boost flower production and create fuller plants.
- If your plants begin to get leggy and have fewer blooms, cutting them back will encourage new growth and more branching.
For more, see: How to Deadhead Petunias and How to Prune Petunias.
Pests and diseases:
Petunias can be bothered by pests like aphids, thrips, and mites; as well as powdery mildew.
Budworms aren't just a pest, they're the leading culprit when gardeners report that healthy-looking petunias suddenly stopped blooming. The small caterpillars hollow out buds from the inside, so flowers never open, making budworm damage the #1 cause of "no bloom" complaints. Learn quick, effective control methods in our budworm control guide for petunias.
“People underestimate just how much of a heavy feeder a petunia can be. I like to keep on a schedule of one time per week with a water-soluble fertilizer…usually the ones with bloom boosters. They tend to have the nutrients that petunias like to produce more flowers.”
— 5 Tips for Better Petunias, Corey, Up North Garden with Corey, YouTube channel.
PETUNIA VARIETIES
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum® — Buy now from Proven Winners
Rock stars in the landscape, the Vista® series makes a huge visual impact. Bubblegum® forms a thick carpet of pink blooms that will quickly cover any empty, sunny space in the garden. Its stems will easily grow three feet long in a spreading mound.
Height:
12 to 24 inches
Spread:
24 to 36 inches
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia® Royal Velvet® — Buy now from Proven Winners
It's easy to see why this is a top seller! Royal Velvet® is heat and drought tolerant and produces an abundance of deep purple flowers that attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Pair with just about any other color in beds, hanging baskets, and containers.
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Spread: 18 to 24 inches
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia® Bordeaux™ — Buy now from Proven Winners
The dramatic veining pattern of this purple petunia is unlike any other. This award-winning annual is prized for its vigor and ease—no deadheading required. Grow on its own or pair it with other strong growers like Superbells® Calibrachoa or Superbena® Verbena.
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Spread: 18 to 24 inches
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia® Vista® Jazzberry® — Buy now from Proven Winners
Magenta-purple flowers cover this petunia from top to bottom. This petunia has a slightly more mounded habit, is self-cleaning and requires no deadheading. It has quickly becoming a favorite of gardeners everywhere. Perfect for all types of containers, as well as in borders and beds.
Height: 12 to 24 inches
Spread: 24 to 36 inches
"“This extra-vigorous, extra-large petunia forms a glowing magenta purple blanket of blooms that spreads at least 3 feet across and blooms nonstop from spring through fall without deadheading. We love creating a head-turning display with it planted en masse and using it in container recipes.” — Meet the 2024 National Recipes and Plants of the Year, Heidi Grasman, Garden Crossings
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia Mini Vista® Yellow — Buy now from Proven Winners
Perfect for hanging baskets, containers, or sunny landscapes, this vigorous bloomer delivers cheerful yellow flowers from spring to fall. Heat and drought-tolerant, with no deadheading needed, it attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds for a season-long color show.
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Spread: 18 to 24 inches
2025 National Annual of the Year
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia Mini Vista® Pink Star — Buy now from Proven Winners
This vigorous grower will be the star of your garden with cheery pink and white striped flowers. Heat and drought tolerant, they'll provide a garden pick-me-up wherever you need it.
Height: 6 to 12 inches
Spread: 18 to 24 inches
2021 National Annual of the Year
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia® Black Cherry® — Buy now from Proven Winners
This stunning semi-trailing petunia is covered by cherry-red flowers with black accents from spring until frost. Plant in hanging baskets or containers and allow it to spill over the edges. Combine with Supertunia® Bordeaux™ and Supertunia Vista® Fuchsia.
Height:6 to 12 inches
Spread: 24 to 30 inches
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia® Saffron Finch™ — Buy now from Proven Winners
The bright yellow blooms contrast beautifully with bold purples, reds, and magentas, but may fade to creamy yellow in hotter regions. It works well in hanging baskets, containers, and as ground cover. This award-winning variety blooms continuously throughout the season and is heat tolerant, with no need for deadheading.
Height: 4 to 12 inches
Spread: 18 to 24 inches
Photo: Proven Winners
Supertunia® Hoopla™ Vivid Orchid™ — Buy now from Proven Winners
This petunia stands out with its purple flowers edged in bright white, maintaining bold, consistent color all season. Unlike other petunias, its blooms look fresh until they drop, avoiding the typical bruised appearance. It offers vigorous growth and a well-branched, mounding habit that's ideal for both container edges and front garden beds.
Height: 4 to 12 inches
Spread: 18 to 24 inches
Photo by: Luisa Fumi / Shutterstock.
Petunia Night Sky®
White speckles on a deep-purple backdrop give this mesmerizing petunia the look of stars twinkling in the night sky. The variance between day and night temperatures causes the luminous white stars to appear in constantly changing configurations.
Height: 10 to 13 inches
Spread: 20 to 30 inches
Photo courtesy: All-America Selections.
Tidal Wave® Silver Petunia
Dazzling silvery white blooms with dark purple centers and delicate purple veining. Even more impressive is the plant’s ability to be used as a hedge, climbing vine, or fast-growing groundcover.
Height: 16 to 22 inches
Width: 30 to 60 inches
Photo by: GWI/Botanic Images Inc. / Age Fotostock.
Cascadias™ Autumn Mystery
A semi-trailing petunia with an ever-changing combination of colors. The blooms open with pale yellow petals and mahogany-brown centers, and gradually fade to cream and deep purple. Also boasts a long bloom season, from late spring to early fall.
Height: 12 to 14 inches
Spread: 16 to 20 inches
Photo courtesy: All-America Selections.
Wave® Carmine Velour
Lauded for its velvety carmine-rose blooms that remain vibrant, come rain or shine. Large flowers, 2- to 3-inches, cover the entire plant, creating a blanket of color that lasts from spring until the first frost.
Height: 6 to 8 inches
Spread: 3 to 4 feet
TYPES OF PETUNIAS
Nearly all petunia plants sold today are hybrids. Some new petunia varieties and hybrids have become so popular, they have created a class of their own, such as the Supertunia®. (See more on how to grow Supertunias.)
Compare the different types of petunias.
(with Supertunias!)
From Heidi Grasman, Garden Crossings
IDEAS FOR USING PETUNIAS IN THE LANDSCAPE
Petunias are very popular flowers for adding instant color to a garden. They are incredibly versatile and can be used in many ways. Here are some ideas:
- Plant them as colorful additions to seasonal landscape beds
- Grow them individually in hanging baskets and window boxes or along with other strong growers
- Use them in containers as the filler or spiller component
- Plant petunias in masses for a dramatic blanket of color
- Cover bare spots in your garden quickly and prevent weeds
FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTIONS
Do deer eat petunias?
Yes, deer do eat petunias, especially when other food is scarce. If deer visit your garden, consider protecting your petunias with repellents or fencing. Learn more on how to protect your garden from deer.
Do rabbits eat petunias?
Yes, rabbits like to eat petunias. If you have rabbits around, protect your petunias with barriers or natural repellents to keep them safe. See more natural ways to protect your garden from rabbits.
Are petunias poisonous to dogs or cats?
Not to worry—petunias are safe for dogs and cats. However, it's always best to discourage them from eating any plants to prevent any possible stomach upset.
Do petunias need full sun?
Petunias love sunshine and grow best in full sun (6-8 hours a day). Planting them in a sunny spot ensures they stay healthy and full of blooms. They can tolerate some shade, but just might have fewer flowers.
Do hummingbirds like petunias?
Yes, the bright colors and funnel-shaped flowers make them appealing to hummingbirds. See more flowers for hummingbirds.
MORE ON PETUNIAS
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Anne Balogh is a longtime gardening writer and editor for Garden Design, with over 20 years of experience covering everything from container planting to landscape trends. She draws inspiration from her own Zone 5 garden in Illinois, where she experiments with hardy perennials and flowering annuals.
