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How to Water & Feed Potted Petunias

Petunias add bright color in any sunny location in the garden. The plants come in nearly every flower color imaginable and require only minimal care to thrive and flower for the entire summer. Petunias even survive light frosts with only minimal damage and they don't die off until after a hard freeze. Growing the plants in containers allows you to enjoy them on patios and balconies, but potted petunias require careful watering and fertilization to remain healthy.

Things You'll Need

  • Watering can
  • Fertilizer
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Instructions

    • 1

      Inspect the bottom of the container for drainage holes if you purchase pre-potted petunias. Transplant the petunias to a new container if the pot doesn't contain at least one drainage hole. Lack of drainage causes overly wet soil and root problems.

    • 2

      Stick your finger 2 to 3 inches into the soil near the base of the plants daily. Irrigate the containers when the top inch of soil feels dry, but before the soil dries out at the 2-inch depth.

    • 3

      Pour the water from a watering hose or a watering can near the base of the plants so you don't wet the petunia foliage. Apply water until the excess drips from the bottom of the container.

    • 4

      Dissolve a soluble balanced fertilizer in a gallon of water. Use the amount of fertilizer recommended on the fertilizer label. Water the petunias with the fertilizer solution every two weeks.