Petunia Flowers

How to Grow Petunia Flowers from Seed:

Petunias are among the most popular flowering annuals, beloved for their vibrant colours, long blooming season and easy care. Perfect for garden beds, borders, hanging baskets and containers.
Petunias bring season-long colour and charm to any garden.
Learn how to grow and care for petunias, choose the right hybrids and design vibrant container combinations.
Discover companion plants, disease tips and fertilizing needs for this low maintenance plant.

Soil Requirements:

Petunias thrive in well-draining, fertile soil rich in organic matter.
A loamy or sandy mix is ideal. They prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 6.0 and 7.0. Avoid heavy clay soils, as poor drainage can lead to root rot.
Maintaining the soil pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
Acidic soils below pH 5.5 can lead to poor growth, while overly alkaline soils may cause nutrient deficiencies.
Amend soil with compost or peat moss to adjust pH if needed.

Germination Requirements:

1. Petunia seeds typically - germinate in 5 to 15 days - depending on conditions.
2. Temperature: Optimal range is - 70-75°F (21-24°C)
3. Light: Petunia seeds need - light to germinate — do not cover them with soil
4. Humidity: Keep the soil - consistently moist, not water-logged
5. Medium: Use a - fine seed-starting mix - for best results - or mix your soil with sand or perlite for better drainage
6. Use a humidity dome or plastic cover to retain moisture and warmth until germination occurs, then remove it once the seeds sprout

Fertilizer Needs:

Use a balanced slow-release fertilizer (10-10-10 or 14-14-14) at planting time. Supplement with a liquid fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the blooming season, especially for container-grown plants.
Look for blends with higher phosphorus (second number) for more blooms.

Common Diseases & Prevention:

1. • Botrytis blight (grey mold)
2. • Powdery mildew
3. • Root and crown rot

Tips to prevent plant issues:

• Ensure good air circulation
• Avoid overhead watering
• Use sterile potting mix
• Remove any infected plants or leaves promptly

Companion Planting for Petunias:

Petunias make great companions in both beds and containers.

Ideal partners include:

1. • Marigolds (pest deterrent)
2. • Geraniums (similar care)
3. • Salvia
4. • Snapdragons
5. • Lobelia
These combinations enhance visual appeal and help with natural pest control.

Popular Petunia Hybrids:

1. . Grandiflora Large blooms, best for containers
2. . Multiflora Smaller flowers, better weather resistance
3. . Milliflora Tiny blooms, compact plants
4. . Spreading (Wave®) Ground cover style, vigorous growers
5. . Calibrachoa (Million Bells) Often grouped with petunias, perfect for hanging baskets

Container Plant Combinations:

• Sweet Alyssum (trailing)
• Verbena
• Dusty Miller
• Coleus
• Bacopa
Choose a mix of upright, filler and trailing plants for a balanced and colorful container display.

5 tips for growing better petunias
with "Up North Garden w/Corey":

All about Seeds and Seedlings
Printable Seedpackets and Seedpacket Dividers
Chart for Seed Germination with light and without
All about Flowers
Moon garden for more flower choices