How to Care for Hanging Petunias

Petunias in hanging baskets welcome visitors in a front entry and add a bright note to a patio or balcony. Petunias come in every color including a purple that is very close to blue. The size of the flowers varies from that of a silver dollar to nearly 4 inches in diameter. There are ruffled petunias, single, double and frilled petunias. Petunias are easy to grow and maintain and have few requirements. Keep your hanging petunias happy all season long.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Scissors
• Tub

1. Locate the petunias where they will receive six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day. They appreciate afternoon shade where summers are hot and dry as long as they get enough morning sun. Rotate the basket every few days so all sides receive sunlight. Bring the petunias inside if there is a late frost warning.

2. Check the soil every day during warm weather. Hanging petunias dry out faster than those in the ground. Use your finger as a dipstick. If the top inch of soil is dry, but further down is moist, wait a day to water. If the top 2 or 3 inches are dry, water the plant. Immerse the entire container in a tub of water. Leave it for 10 to 20 minutes or until the air bubbles stop escaping from the container. If that’s not possible water with a slow steady stream from a hose until the soil is saturated. Deep water the petunias once a month to flush out salts and minerals.

3. Remove spent blossoms, a process also called deadheading. The plant only flowers to produce seed. If you let the flowers go to seed the plant stops blooming. Cut back the plant to the rim of the container on the sides and 6 inches high when the petunia starts looking scraggly. This will produce a new flush of blooms.