Petunias are a favorite annual flower of many gardeners because they are low-maintenance and come in a variety of colors and patterns. They produce a continuous color of blooms from spring to late fall. They look great in landscapes, flower beds, vegetable gardens, pots and hanging baskets.
Petunias thrive in a number of locations around the yard but they shine when planted in hanging baskets. Although petunias are low-maintenance, a little bit of care will go a long way. So what are some tips you can use to ensure your basket-bound petunias are stunning all season long?
There are a number of methods to keep petunias reblooming continuously and to keep hanging baskets healthy. Let’s take a look at some tips to help lengthen the bloom times of your basket bound petunias, as well as keeping them healthy!
Petunias are one of the most popular annual flowers for hanging baskets With their profusion of colorful blooms and easy care nature, petunias will flower abundantly all season long to create a stunning display.
Hanging baskets allow you to decorate outdoor spaces like porches, patios and garden arbors with cascades of beautiful petunias. To keep your petunia hanging baskets looking their best from spring through fall, there are some simple care tips to follow
Choosing the Best Petunias for Hanging Baskets
When it comes to petunias, there are many wonderful varieties that are ideal for hanging baskets. Look for types that naturally trail or have a spreading habit. Some top choices include:
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Wave petunias – These heat and drought tolerant spreading petunias come in a rainbow of colors They feature lush, trailing foliage covered in 2-3” blooms Great WaveTM and Shock WaveTM are two popular series.
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Supertunia® – One of the best series, these “super petunias” bloom profusely with minimum care. They resist rain and heat. Try Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum® or Supertunia® HoneyTM.
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Surfinia® – Similar to the Supertunia series, these vigorous petunias produce masses of large, shapely flowers on trailing vines. Surfinia® Purple Vein and Surfinia® Light Pink are two dynamic options.
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Million Bells® – For a mounding form with bountiful blooms, Million Bells® are compact yet covered in 1-11⁄2” trumpet-shaped flowers. Million Bells® Yellow and Million Bells® Trailing Blue are real winners.
Getting the Soil Right
Because hanging baskets are more prone to drying out, petunias will thrive in a rich, moisture-retentive potting mix amended with water-absorbing materials like coir or polymer crystals.
A quality potting soil like Proven Winners® Premium Potting Soil provides the ideal blend of nutrition and light, fluffy texture that encourages excellent drainage. This ensures oxygen can penetrate the roots.
If planting in coir, fiber or moss-lined baskets, still use a good potting mix like this and fill baskets at least halfway up.
Ideal Light Conditions
One key to success with petunias is giving them enough sunlight. Although petunias will grow in part sun, they produce the most abundant blooms when given full sun – at least 6 hours per day. Morning sun is particularly valuable.
Site hanging baskets in locations around porches, patios, pergolas and other structures where they’ll bask in sunlight for much of the day. Avoid excessive heat by providing some afternoon shade if possible.
Watering Petunia Baskets
Since hanging baskets are more exposed and prone to drying out, check soil moisture frequently. Petunias like consistently moist but not soggy soil.
Aim to water when the top 1″ of soil becomes dry. During hot weather, you may need to water twice a day. Always water thoroughly until it drains from the basket’s bottom.
Mornings allow plants to dry out during the day, reducing disease. Avoid overhead watering late in the day. Drip or soaker hoses work well.
Fertilizing for More Flowers
Because they bloom so prolifically, petunias are heavy feeders. At planting, incorporate a slow-release fertilizer like Proven Winners Premium Continuous Release Fertilizer into the soil per label directions.
Then, give hanging baskets a periodic boost with a water-soluble, bloom-promoting fertilizer like Jack’s Classic Petunia FeED. This will encourage continuous flowering all season. Feed every 2-3 weeks.
Deadheading to Prolong Bloom
Many petunias, especially older varieties, need spent blooms removed to maintain their flower power. However, newer types often don’t require deadheading.
To see if yours need it, stop deadheading a few branches. If flower production declines, you’ll need to remove faded blooms regularly by pinching or snipping them off.
Focus on thinning inner areas of plants to encourage new growth. Always remove damaged or diseased blooms promptly.
Grooming Petunia Baskets
While petunias naturally grow in a trailing form, mid-summer pruning helps them look their best. If plants get leggy or uneven, cut them back by up to 1/3 their size. This stimulates bushier regrowth.
Thin out inner sections to open things up and keep air circulating. Prune wayward shoots to reshape plants. Promote even blooming into fall by shearing plants halfway in late summer.
Avoiding Pests and Diseases
Petunias are less prone to pests and diseases than many annuals. Proper site selection and care helps prevent problems. Scout regularly for common issues like:
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Aphids – Check for these sap-sucking insects on buds and new growth. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil.
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Botrytis – Improve air flow to reduce this fungal disease. Water at soil level and avoid wet foliage.
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Powdery mildew – This fungal disease coats leaves in white powdery growth. Improve air circulation to reduce humidity.
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Root rot – Let soil dry adequately between waterings and provide good drainage to prevent this fungal issue.
Overwintering Petunia Baskets
While most petunias are grown as annuals, it’s possible to overwinter them in zones 9-11. When nights cool in fall, take down baskets and prune plants by half. Repot in sterile potting mix and move to a sunny location indoors or in a greenhouse. Water sparingly and don’t fertilize until spring. Prune periodically to maintain shape. Acclimate plants before moving them back outside in spring after the last frost date.
Time-Saving Tips
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Choose self-cleaning varieties that don’t require deadheading like Supertunia® and WaveTM types.
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Add a water-absorbent polymer like Soil MoistTM to the soil to reduce watering frequency.
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Use self-watering hanging baskets or install an irrigation system on a timer to automate watering.
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Place hanging baskets in groups or rows at the same height to make watering and maintenance easier.
Designing Stunning Petunia Basket Combos
With so many colors and forms available, the possibilities for designing eye-catching petunia hanging basket combinations are endless.
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For bold contrast, combine trailing Supertunia® Indigo Charm with upright Supertunia® Royal Velvet®.
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Create a cool ombre effect by blending Supertunia® Trailing Blue Vein, Supertunia Vista® Bubblegum®, and Supertunia Vista® Silverberry from top to bottom.
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Try pairing pink or red Supertunias with frothy white Bacopa and sparkling purple Angelonia for vivid interest.
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Mix mounding Million Bells® Yellow miniature petunias with trailing Shock Wave Pink Vein supertunias for pizzazz.
Let your imagination run wild playing with colors, textures, and flower forms like ruffles, veins, starbursts, and more. With the right care, petunias will reward you with nonstop color in hanging baskets all season.
Choose The Right Varieties
With so many options for petunias, there are varieties that grow better in hanging baskets then anywhere else. Wave and supertunia varieties are excellent options for basket-bound petunias. They may cost a little more but will be well worth it in the long run.
Wave and supertunia varieties are self-cleaning and won’t require you to remove spent blooms throughout the season. This is great because it won’t have to bring the basket down from there hook or reach high to clean spent blooms.
These varieties tend to be trailing varieties that spill over the edge of the basket which is a common desired look. Depending on the variety you choose, they can vary in length from 24 inches to 48 inches long.
You can grow mounding varieties in baskets as well; they just won’t spill over the side of the container as much.
Use the Right Soil
A good soil is the foundation for successful petunias. Petunias love well-draining soils with a good amount of organic matter. If you purchased a basket from a garden center they typically use a proper potting soil with good organic matter for healthy growth.
If you are looking to buy your own potting soil, local garden centers and nurseries carry excellent potting soils for plants in hanging baskets. Just ensure the soil is light and fluffy so it doesn’t become too compacted over time.
Petunias worship the sun and need to be exposed to at least 6 hours of sunlight per day to thrive. If you can plant petunias in 8 hours or more of sunlight this is best. Choosing a location where your basket will receive enough sunlight can be a bit difficult.
Hanging baskets can be hung on hooks in the center of flower beds and landscapes so they receive unobstructed sunlight. But petunias are commonly hung from overhangs, roofs, patio covers and so on. Study the area you want to hang your baskets to ensure there is nothing obstructing the sunlight.
Hanging baskets in general require more frequent waterings than your typical garden. They are shallow and tend to dry out very quickly, especially on hot and windy days. There are a few methods to check if your baskets need water and are getting the proper amount of water.
A good rule of thumb is if you can lift the basket and it feels light, consider watering. If your basket feels heavy, consider waiting a day and check the basket again to see if it has lightened any.
You can also remove the basket from its hook and check the soil. Never allow standing water or extremely soggy soils to develop in hanging baskets with petunias.
You want to make sure you are watering your baskets thoroughly. Water until water begins to flow from the bottom of the drainage holes. This indicates that water is getting through the whole basket.
Petunias are somewhat drought tolerant but only if you encourage deep roots. This is more difficult to do because roots only have so much space to grow in an enclosed space. Your petunias can tolerate a dry basket for a day or two but might begin to suffer if left any longer than this.
Petunias are heavy feeds and can quickly deplete the nutrients in the soil around them. You can begin fertilizing your hanging baskets the minute you plant them or when you bring them home. Slow release fertilizers are a great option because over a number of weeks they release nutrients into the soil.
Liquid fertilizer works as well but you could potentially leach out of the soils from frequent waterings. Liquid fertilizer can also burn the leaves and give them an unappealing appearance. If you choose to apply liquid fertilizer, stick to a bi weekly schedule to prevent nutrient depletion.
How To Keep Your Petunias Full And Flowering | Pruning Petunias For Beginners
FAQ
How do you keep hanging petunias blooming?
Consider feed once a week to keep flowers blooming and to achieve larger plants. Containers and hanging baskets should be fertilized weekly as well.Oct 2, 2023
Can you overwater petunias in hanging baskets?
Though petunias prefer soil to remain consistently moist throughout the season, overwatering the plants can be detrimental to their health. The sudden yellowing of petunia leaves is among the first signs that soils have become oversaturated.
How do you care for a petunia hanging basket?
WATER THEM WELL
Use a drip system to ensure you never forget to water. If you notice your hanging baskets or containers looking wilted on a hot summer day, water! Give your petunias a good soak until water drains out the bottom. It will also help to grow petunias alongside other plants with similar water needs.