Growing Petunias

Petunias are easy to grow, bloom Spreading or groundcover petunias are vigorous, low-
reliably all summer, and are growing plants that spread like groundcovers. By the end
available in a wide range of colors, of summer, some cultivars may cover an area 3 to 4 feet in
flower forms, and growth habits. diameter. Spreading petunias possess excellent heat and
drought tolerance and require little maintenance. They are
Types of petunias excellent choices for hanging baskets, containers, and as
Petunia cultivars can be divided an annual groundcover. Spreading petunias include those
into four main groups or categories in the Wave, Easy Wave, Tidal Wave, Avalanche, Ramblin’,
based on flower and growth habits: and Triology Series.
grandiflora, multiflora, milliflora,
and spreading or groundcover. Series refers to a group of closely related varieties with
uniform characteristics, such as height, spread, and
Grandifloras have large single or double flowers. Single flowering habit. Generally, the only variable within a
grandifloras produce large blooms up to 5 inches across. series is flower color.
Some single varieties have ruffled or fringed petals. Others
possess a trailing habit that make them ideal for window Starting seeds indoors
boxes and hanging baskets. Double grandifloras produce Although most gardeners buy transplants, petunias can be
double, fringed flowers and are best suited to containers. started indoors 10 to 12 weeks before the average last frost
Generally, grandifloras (single and double) don’t flower as date. Late February/early March is an appropriate sowing
heavily as multifloras. Also, the flowers don’t hold up as date in Iowa.
well during rainy weather. Plants may become unkempt
and straggly by late summer. Popular grandiflora petunias An excellent medium for starting seeds indoors is a
include cultivars in the Supercascade, Dreams, Ultra, EZ commercially prepared soilless product, such as Jiffy Mix.
Rider, and Storm Series. Containers used for starting seeds should be clean and have
drainage holes in the bottom. Previously used containers
Multiflora petunias produce smaller flowers than should be washed in soapy water and then disinfected by
the grandifloras, but in greater quantity. Both single and dipping in a solution containing one part chlorine bleach
double varieties are available. Multifloras are generally more and nine parts water.
compact and resistant to wet weather than the grandifloras.
Single multifloras are excellent in mass plantings in flower Fill the container with the germination medium to within
beds. Double multifloras are most suitable for containers. 1 inch of the top and press lightly to firm. (If the germination
Excellent multiflora petunias include cultivars in the medium is dry, moisten it before filling the container.)
Celebrity, Hurrah, and Carpet Series. Petunia seeds are very small. There are approximately
Milliflora petunias are compact, miniature plants 250,000 to 300,000 seeds per ounce. To make them larger
that produce large numbers of 1- to 1½- inch-diameter and easier to sow, petunia seeds are often coated with an
flowers. Their compact size makes them an excellent inert material. (Seeds that have been coated with an inert
choice for containers and edging beds and borders. material are referred to as pelleted seeds.) Carefully sow the
Cultivars in the Picobella and Fantasy Series are widely petunia seeds on the surface of the germination medium,
grown milliflora petunias. then gently press the seeds into the medium.

RG 314 Revised March 2013

 few days before planting in the garden. Initially place plants
in a shady, protected location; gradually expose them to
longer periods of direct sun. Bring plants indoors if freezing
temperatures are predicted.

Planting
Petunias can be transplanted into the garden after the danger
of frost has passed. It’s usually safe to begin planting petunias
in late April in southern Iowa and in mid-May in northern
parts of the state.

Petunias perform best in sunny locations. They also require

a moderately fertile, well-drained soil. Poorly drained soils
often can be improved by incorporating organic matter, such
Petunia seeds require light for germination. They should not
as compost, peat, or well-rotted manure.
be covered with additional material.
Plant petunias about 12 inches apart. The spreading
After the seeds have been sown, moisten the medium by
types should be planted 2 to 2½ feet apart. Pinch back
placing the container in a pan of warm water or by applying
grandifloras and multifloras to encourage branching.
a fine spray to the surface of the medium.
Pinching is especially helpful for tall, leggy plants. Millifloras
Uniform medium temperatures and moisture are required and spreading petunias usually don’t require pinching.
for optimum seed germination. Place the container in
a warm (75° to 80°F), brightly lit location. To maintain Maintenance
uniform moisture levels, place a piece of clear plastic During dry weather, a deep watering once every 7 to 10
food wrap over the container. Clear plastic domes also are days should be sufficient for petunias in beds and borders.
available. Do not set the covered container in direct sunlight. Plants in containers will need to be watered more frequently.
The high temperatures that may develop in direct sunlight Check containers frequently and water when the soil surface
may inhibit or prevent germination. Petunia seeds should becomes dry. Petunias growing in containers should be
germinate in 10 to 12 days. fertilized every 2 weeks with a dilute fertilizer solution.

Remove the plastic covering as soon as seedlings emerge. To encourage additional blooms and improve plant
Place the container under fluorescent lights or in a sunny appearance, remove the spent flowers on grandiflora and
window. Fluorescent lights should be no more than 4 to double petunias. The smaller flowering types, such as the
6 inches above the growing plants and should be left on for milliflora and spreading petunias, are self-cleaning and don’t
12 to 14 hours. Temperatures should be 65° to 70°F. require deadheading.

When seedlings have 3 true leaves, transplant into plastic Leggy petunias can be rejuvenated by cutting them back
cell packs, peat pots, or other containers. To produce stocky to about half their length in mid-summer. After pruning,
plants, keep the seedlings under fluorescent lights or in fertilize and water the plants to promote new growth.
a sunny window, allow the potting soil to dry between For more information
waterings, and fertilize every 2 weeks with a dilute fertilizer Information on selection, planting, cultural practices, and
solution. Harden the seedlings outdoors a few days before environmental quality is available from local Iowa State
planting into the garden. University Extension offices and at these ISU websites:
Selecting transplants https://store.extension.iastate.edu/
When buying petunias for spring planting, select compact, www.yardandgarden.extension.iastate.edu
stocky plants. Tall, spindly plants take considerably longer www.reimangardens.iastate.edu
to recover from transplanting. Harden plants outdoors for a
Prepared by Richard Jauron, extension horticulturist.

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Service, Iowa State University of Science and Technology, Ames, Iowa.