How to Care for Petunias in Containers

Petunias are among the most popular annual flowers, blooming in fragrant, trumpet-shaped blossoms from spring through autumn. Petunias are low-maintenance flowers that grow well in containers. There are four main types of petunias to choose from. Grandiflora petunias have large, 3- to 4-inch wide blossoms with a cascading growth habit, multifloras are more compact with slightly smaller flowers, millifloras are miniature petunias with 1- to 1 1/2-inch diameter flowers, and spreading petunias reach only 6 inches in height but spread rapidly in a trailing growth habit. All types of petunias are appropriate for containers, but the spreading and grandiflora types are better in hanging baskets due to their growth habits.

Planter pots
All-purpose potting soil
Slow-release flower fertilizer
Liquid 5-10-5 NPK fertilizer

Instructions

- 1
  Pot your petunias in a container with drainage holes in the bottom filled with an all-purpose potting soil that's well-draining. Mix into the potting soil a slow-release fertilizer for flowering plants, according to the directions on the label. Space the petunias about 6 to 8 inches apart in the container.
- 2
  Position your potted petunias in a place where they can receive at least six to eight hours of full sunlight each day. Set the petunias outdoors in a sunny spot during the warm summer months.
- 3
  Water your petunias once or twice per week when the top 1 inch of soil begins to feel dry to the touch. Water the petunias thoroughly and evenly, ensuring that the water drains freely through the potting soil.
- 4
  Feed your container-grown petunias with a high-phosphorous liquid fertilizer, such as a 5-10-5 NPK formula, once every two weeks throughout the spring and summer. Fertilize once every week for "spreading" type petunias, and follow the instructions on the fertilizer label.
- 5
  Pinch off the stem tips when the petunias are 3 to 4 inches tall to promote healthy branching. Pinch back the tips once every two or three weeks as the petunias are developing to encourage a bushier, compact form.

How to Care for Cosmo Plants

Ideas for Annual Combination Flowers

Growing Annuals