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Choose your climateBased on winter hardiness only.

Annual · Solanaceae family

Petunia

Petunia × atkinsiana

Full sun to part shade 5⅞ in–1 ft 5¾ in × 11¾ in–2 ft 11⅜ in Flowers May–October Low maintenance
Flower colors Click a color

In short a 10-second read

SunFull sun to part shade
Size5⅞ in–1 ft 5¾ in
spacing 11¾ in
FlowersMay–October
Care levelLow maintenance

Where to plant and how much to water

Sun, soil and water.

It grows best in full sun to part shade, in average soil.

Sun

Sun6 hours or more
Part shade3–6 hours
Shadeunder 3 h

Soil

averagehumus-richloamy

Watering

keep the soil evenly moistless when it rains

How much space it takes

Mature size.

The mature plant next to a person (69 in).

19¾ in3 ft 3⅜ in4 ft 11 in5⅞ in–1 ft 5¾ inspread 11¾ in–2 ft 11⅜ in
5⅞ in–1 ft 5¾ in× spread 11¾ in–2 ft 11⅜ in

Plant 11¾ in apart.

The final size depends on the cultivar and the spot — we give the range from smallest to largest.

Calendar

Through the year.

Typical for a temperate climate (four seasons). The line shows the current month.

The year at a glance

Flowers: JanuaryFlowers: FebruaryFlowers: MarchFlowers: AprilFlowers: MayFlowers: JuneFlowers: JulyFlowers: AugustFlowers: SeptemberFlowers: OctoberFlowers: NovemberFlowers: DecemberSowing: JanuarySowing: FebruarySowing: MarchSowing: AprilSowing: MaySowing: JuneSowing: JulySowing: AugustSowing: SeptemberSowing: OctoberSowing: NovemberSowing: DecemberFeeding: JanuaryFeeding: FebruaryFeeding: MarchFeeding: AprilFeeding: MayFeeding: JuneFeeding: JulyFeeding: AugustFeeding: SeptemberFeeding: OctoberFeeding: NovemberFeeding: DecemberJanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec
FlowersSowingFeeding
Now, in October: nothing to do — the next job is in February.
JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Flowers

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

May–October · white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple or blue

Sowing

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

sow indoors: February–March

Feeding

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

April–May

Feeding

Nutrition.

Horn meal

up to 0.29 oz/sq ft a year, if the soil needs it · April–May

JanFebMarAprMayJunJulAugSepOctNovDec

Pests and diseases

Common problems and what to do.

The most common problems in Central Europe. Protection is listed from the gentlest option.

What you will see

Clusters of tiny sap-sucking insects on young shoots, curled leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mold.

When to look

Spring – summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Aphids are part of a healthy garden and food for predators; a healthy plant usually tolerates them.
  2. By handWipe or rinse off colonies and remove affected tips.
  3. BiologicalEncourage natural enemies (ladybirds, earwigs, birds).
Aphidspest · spring – summer

What you will see

Clusters of tiny sap-sucking insects on young shoots, curled leaves, sticky honeydew and sooty mold.

When to look

Spring – summer

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Aphids are part of a healthy garden and food for predators; a healthy plant usually tolerates them.
  2. By handWipe or rinse off colonies and remove affected tips.
  3. BiologicalEncourage natural enemies (ladybirds, earwigs, birds).
More about this problem

What you will see

Irregular holes in leaves and slime trails, especially on young plants in damp weather.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Changing growing practices is the best strategy; protect young plants.
  2. By handEvening collection by torchlight in damp weather; barriers (copper tape, wool pellets).
  3. Biological moist, warm soilPhasmarhabditis hermaphrodita nematodes watered into the soil.
Slugs and snailspest

What you will see

Irregular holes in leaves and slime trails, especially on young plants in damp weather.

How to protect

  1. Prevention
    • Changing growing practices is the best strategy; protect young plants.
  2. By handEvening collection by torchlight in damp weather; barriers (copper tape, wool pellets).
  3. Biological moist, warm soilPhasmarhabditis hermaphrodita nematodes watered into the soil.
More about this problem
Sources (3)

Frequently asked

Quick answers.

When does petunia flower?

In May–October; the flowers are white, yellow, orange, pink, red, purple or blue.

When do I sow petunia?

In February–March (sow indoors).

Does petunia tolerate shade?

It tolerates part shade (3–6 hours of sun), but not full shade.

How much space does petunia need?

At maturity 11¾ in–2 ft 11⅜ in wide and 5⅞ in–1 ft 5¾ in tall; recommended spacing 11¾ in.

Aphids — what can you do?

Aphids are part of a healthy garden and food for predators; a healthy plant usually tolerates them. Wipe or rinse off colonies and remove affected tips.

Slugs and snails — what can you do?

Changing growing practices is the best strategy; protect young plants. Evening collection by torchlight in damp weather; barriers (copper tape, wool pellets).

Sources (13) Checked 17 October 2026

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