Wave Petunias Planting & Care Tips

Wave (Spreading) Petunias have a unique trailing growth habit and produce vibrant flowers all summer long, making your containers, hanging baskets and raised beds gorgeous. They fill flower beds and gardens with a lot of color. Petunias are an annual, which means they live for only one gardening season.

Unlike most petunias, Wave Petunias do not require deadheading to keep them blooming (though you still can deadhead to encourage more blooms). Deadheading is the process of removing the old growth and seed heads, which promotes more growth and re-flowering.
When you are shopping for plants, make sure you consider the location where you plan to plant. Wave Petunias need at least 6 hours of sun. They are sun-loving flowers that need warmth and energy to look their best.

Once you’ve found the right spot in the sun and are ready for planting Wave Petunias, follow these tips to help you achieve those bursts of gorgeous color this spring and summer.

• Add organics or amending your soil with compost creates an ideal environment for healthy roots. The further they can work their way into the soil, the better fed and hydrated they will be.
• After digging your hole, a dose of slow-release or granular fertilizer will give your plants a head start to vigorous growth. (Be sure to follow the dosage instructions on the label.)
• When you are ready to plant, maintain the same plant depth as the original pot or pack. Place it in the ground all the way up to its soil line. Pack it in nicely. Then space 12 to 24 inches (30 to 60 cm) apart in garden beds.
• A regular routine of liquid fertilizer (about every 10-14 days) when you water will keep your vigorous plants fed and happy. These petunias have an aggressive spreading nature; this added nutrition is necessary to keep them sending up new branching and blooms.
• As you get into the season, if the plants get slightly over-grown or leggy in your landscape, you can cut them back. Cutting back petunias encourages new growth and more branching, and in return, more blooms!  On long stems that look “leggy,” pinch the stem back 1 to 2 in. (2.5 to 8 cm), making sure to cut back past the desired branch length (new growth will fill in that space). These growth tips will be tender and can be pinched using your forefinger and thumb, or a scissors if necessary. Once the branch is pinched back, new growth will begin to develop, creating the spreading form that Wave Petunias are known for.
• Deadheading Petunias is another way to encourage more blooms on your plant. Although Wave plants naturally do not require deadheading due to their prolific blooming, the occasional deadheading will provide an even bigger boost to flower production. Once the flower begins to fade, remove it, along with the small stem that attaches it to the plant. Use the same method as pinching a plant back. Removing the flower before it sets seed will redirect the plant’s energy that would be spent on creating the seed and will put it into producing more blooms.

Remember to keep your petunias fertilized and within 2 weeks you’ll see a fresh new carpet of color. We hope you and your neighbors enjoy the vibrant scenery provided by your Wave Petunias this summer.

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