Easy Wave Yellow Petunia Care

Like many flowering annuals, petunias don’t like to be dry for long periods. But they also don’t like to sit in soggy soil, which can rot their roots. Plus, too much water can result in leggy plants with a lot of stem but few flowers. In general, weekly watering when you don't have rainfall will be sufficient. However, some spreading varieties and plants grown in containers typically need more frequent watering. Try not to let the soil dry out more than 2 inches down.

When planting young petunias, pinch back the stems to encourage more branching and a fuller plant. How far back to pinch depends on the plant. If it is a short, stocky seedling, just pinch an inch or less. But if the seedling is gangly, you can pinch back the stem by half.

Feed petunias at the time of planting with a balanced fertilizer. It’s also helpful to work some compost into the soil. Then, starting in July and continuing until the plants decline in the fall, fertilize every two to three weeks with a liquid fertilizer made for flowering plants. Some of the spreading varieties need weekly fertilization, so be sure to check your plant’s individual care instructions.

Most petunia varieties prefer full sun, meaning at least six hours of direct sunlight on most days. But in the heat of summer, partial shade (especially from strong afternoon sun) will help to keep them refreshed and blooming better.

Petunias prefer a light, fertile soil that provides good drainage. They can tolerate a variety of soil types as long as they are well-draining. Plus, they like a slightly acidic soil pH.

The ideal temperatures for petunias are roughly 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night. They can tolerate temperatures all the way down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit, but frost and freezing temperatures will damage and ultimately kill the plants. Low to moderate humidity levels are best for these flowers.

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