6 Tips to Keep Your Petunias Blooming All Season
There’s something undeniably cheerful about a pot overflowing with petunias. Whether they’re trailing from a hanging basket or adding a splash of color to your front porch, petunias bring that classic, carefree summer charm. But if you’ve ever planted them and watched their showy display fade by mid-July, you’re not alone.
The good news? With a little TLC and a few simple practices, petunias can thrive and bloom nonstop all season long. Below are helpful guides to keep your petunias looking lush, full, and vibrant, from the first warm days of spring to the last weeks of fall.
6 Tips for Healthy Happy Petunias
1. Good Day Sunshine
Some people think petunias need partial shade, but these flowers crave the sun. Be sure your petunias receive at least six hours of direct sunlight daily — ideally more. More sun means more flowers.
2. Watering With Intention
Petunias like moisture, but not too much. On cool spring mornings, water every few days. But by the time July rolls around, especially in containers, they will need a drink every morning. The key is to water deeply, but let the soil dry slightly between soakings. Soggy soil leads to root rot, and overhead watering can encourage fungal diseases. So aim low, watering at the base, and your petunias will thank you with fresher leaves and longer-lasting blooms.
3. Don’t Skip the Deadheading
Here’s the truth: petunias are high-maintenance little divas when it comes to grooming — but in a good way. If you leave the old blooms, the plants will put their energy into making seeds, not more flowers. Make it a habit to pinch or snip off the faded blooms every few days. It’s oddly satisfying and keeps the plants looking fresh and vibrant.
Some of the newer varieties claim to be “self-cleaning,” and while they are better at dropping old blooms, nothing beats human intervention for precision.
4. Feeding: The Secret to a Burst of Petunia Blooms
This is the step many people skip — and it’s a step that makes the biggest difference. Petunias are hungry plants, especially when they’re in containers where nutrients wash away quickly.
Every 10 days or so, give your petunias a drink of water-soluble fertilizer. All Wasson Garden Centers have FREE liquid fertilizer that’s perfect for container and in-ground plants, shrubs, and trees.
5. Mid-Summer: Time for a Trim
By July or August, even the happiest petunia plants can start to look a little straggly — long stems, fewer flowers, and a generally tired appearance. This is totally normal! But just like getting a haircut, give them a good cutback. Yep, even if they’re still blooming. Take off about a third, or even half, of the plant. It feels harsh in the moment, but within a couple of weeks, they bounce back with renewed energy–– fuller and bursting with new blooms. It’s like a reboot!
6. Eliminate Uninvited Guests
Like most plants, petunias aren’t immune to pests. Budworms are the sneakiest — they’ll chew holes in the buds before they even open. Keep an eye out for chewed petals or curling leaves, and if you see signs, treat with neem oil or BT (Bacillus thuringiensis). Aphids and thrips can occasionally show up, too, but a quick spray with insecticidal soap usually keeps them in check. Good airflow and not overcrowding the plants also go a long way in keeping mildew and mold at bay.
A little love goes a long way. Caring for petunias is like tending a little floral fireworks show. They’ll dazzle you with color all season — but only if you help them out along the way. Give your petunias this kind of consistent, thoughtful care, and they’ll reward you with a beautiful summer-long performance of colorful blooms.