Petunia

Petunias prefer well-drained soil rich in organic matter with a pH of 6.0-7.0. Incorporate compost and fertilize regularly during active growth, especially in containers, and trim leggy stems to restore branching.

Sun

Full sun

Water

1 in/week; more in containers

Spacing

10 in

First harvest

70–85 days

Tips

• Surface-sow seeds without covering them and set hardened transplants about 10 inches apart at their original depth.
• Supply about 1 inch of water weekly in beds and check containers daily during hot weather.
• Feed with a balanced flowering-plant fertilizer at the labeled interval, especially for vigorous spreading varieties.
• Inspect buds for tobacco budworms and handpick caterpillars or use a labeled caterpillar control.
• Remove spent flowers on varieties that need deadheading and trim trailing stems when plants become sparse.