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If you already have a bed full of cheap bedding petunias, it might not be worth it to bring them inside for the winter. But if you want to grow a fancy hybrid, a small pot can cost more than $4. This means that you might not be able to use them as freely as youd like. You can save money by bringing your petunia indoors over winter.
Petunias are a classic summertime flower, gracing gardens and porch planters with their colorful blooms. But when cold weather hits, these warm-season annuals normally perish. With proper care, however, you can successfully overwinter potted petunias indoors and replant them the following spring.
Why Overwinter Petunias
Letting petunias die off when winter comes is common practice. But for gardeners who want to retain favorite plants from season to season, overwintering is worthwhile. Here are some key reasons to keep petunias through the winter:
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Saves money instead of buying new plants every year Some hybrid petunias can cost over $5 per starter plant,
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Maintains access to sentimental or rare varieties you want to preserve.
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Allows you to reuse large container plants. It’s wasteful to compost huge potted petunias still in their prime.
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Provides an early jump on spring gardens. Overwintered plants adapt quickly when moved outside.
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Offers mental health benefits of having living plants indoors during dreary winter
Best Candidates for Overwintering
Almost any petunia can be overwintered, but some are better choices than others:
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Potted patio plants vs. in-ground – Container plants are easier to move and care for indoors.
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Non-patented varieties – Propagating patented plants from cuttings is illegal.
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Premium plants worth the effort – Focus on saving expensive or special hybrids.
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Healthy, pest-free plants – Weak or infested plants may not survive indoors.
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Established plants from early summer – Older plants overwinter better than late plantings.
Transitioning Plants Indoors
To successfully overwinter potted petunias:
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Bring plants inside before the first frost, when temperatures drop below 40°F at night.
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Check for pests like aphids before bringing indoors. Treat with insecticidal soap if found.
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Prune back plants by 1/3 to 1/2 to remove dead growth and shape the plant.
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Water thoroughly and allow to drain before moving inside.
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Place in a bright, sunny window where temperatures stay above 55°F.
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Allow 1-2 weeks for plants to adjust before fertilizing or repotting.
Ideal Overwintering Conditions
Petunias need the following conditions for healthy winter maintenance indoors:
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Temperatures: Consistently above 55°F. Avoid drafty areas.
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Light: South-facing window or supplemental grow lights.
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Water: Allow soil to dry out partially between waterings.
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Humidity: Moderate 40-60% humidity. Mist leaves if too dry.
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Fertilizer: Use houseplant formula at 1/2 strength every 2-3 weeks.
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Pruning: Remove dead growth and shape occasionally. Don’t cut back hard.
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Pests: Watch for aphids, whiteflies, fungus gnats. Use organic controls if found.
Overwintering Special Considerations
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Petunias require 14+ hours of daylight, so keep grow lights on a timer.
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Repot rootbound plants in fresh potting mix to stimulate growth.
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Take cuttings in late winter to replace any plants that weaken or die off.
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Avoid overwatering during periods of dormancy when growth slows.
Moving Petunias Back Outside
In early spring after the last frost date, begin transitioning petunias back outdoors:
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Move to a sheltered, shaded spot for 1-2 weeks to adapt.
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Check for any pests before taking plants outside.
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Give plants a light trim to shape and remove any dead growth.
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Ensure potted plants have adequate drainage holes before placing outside.
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Gradually expose plants to more sun over a week or two to harden off.
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Transplant into beds or containers after 2-3 weeks of hardening off.
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Water thoroughly and feed with a balanced fertilizer to stimulate new growth.
Overwintering Petunia Cuttings
An alternative to keeping whole plants is taking cutting in fall and rooting them to grow new starter plants:
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Take 3-5 inch tip cuttings from healthy plants in late summer.
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Remove lower leaves and place in pots filled with sterile potting mix.
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Keep soil moist and cuttings will root in 2-3 weeks in warmth.
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Grow on windowsill over winter. Transplant outside next spring after hardening off.
Enjoy Continuity in Your Garden
While requiring some effort, overwintering lets you restart your garden with mature, vigorous petunia plants already adapted to your conditions. You can continue growing treasured varieties year after year. With the right indoor care, petunias can grace your indoor spaces through dreary winter months and return to the garden ready to thrive when summer comes again.
Care of Petunias During Winter
Cut the petunias back to about 2 inches (5 cm. ) above the soil and plant them in pots before the first fall frost. Check them over carefully to make sure they arent infested with insects. If you find insects, treat the plants before bringing them indoors.
Water the plants thoroughly and place them in a cool but above freezing location. Look for a spot in your garage or basement where theyll be out of the way. Check overwintering petunias every three to four weeks. If the soil has dried out, give them just enough water to moisten the soil. Otherwise, leave them undisturbed until spring when you can transplant them back outdoors.
Can You Overwinter a Petunia Plant as Cuttings?
Taking 2 to 3 inch (5-7. 5 cm. ) cuttings before the first fall frost is a great way to overwinter them. It’s easy for them to root in a glass of plain water, but if you put more than one cutting in the glass, the roots get wild. If you are rooting several plants, youll probably want to start them in small pots.
The cuttings root so easily that you wont have to cover them or start them in a greenhouse. Just remove the lower leaves from the cutting and insert them 1. 5 to two inches (4 to 5 cm. ) into the soil. Keep the soil moist and they will have roots in two or three weeks.
Youll know the cuttings have rooted when a gentle tug doesnt dislodge them. As soon as they root, move them to a sunny window. They wont need fertilizer over winter if youve planted them in a good commercial potting soil. If not, give them liquid houseplant fertilizer every once in a while and water them enough to keep the soil slightly damp.
Caution About Patented Plants
How to Overwinter Petunias // #petunias #hangingbaskets
FAQ
How do you store petunias over winter?
Is it worth overwintering petunias?
How long do petunias last in pots in winter?
Will petunias survive indoors?
How to keep petunias healthy in winter?
Besides that, mulch can improve the fertility of your growing medium. It’ll release vitamins and minerals that can keep your petunias healthy, even in the middle of winter. Finally, you can try overwintering your petunias. Overwintering is the process of protecting your petunias from the cold weather.
Can you plant petunias in winter?
This means that you might not be able to use them as freely as you’d like. You can save money by bringing your petunia indoors over winter. Cut the petunias back to about 2 inches (5 cm.) above the soil and plant them in pots before the first fall frost. Check them over carefully to make sure they aren’t infested with insects.
Do petunias grow back after the winter?
As a result, most gardeners treat petunias ( Petunia x hybrida ) like annuals and replace them every year. However, you can ensure your petunias grow back after the winter by bringing them indoors, propagating new plants, or giving them special care outdoors if you are located in the warmer end of their climate zones.
Should I overwinter my petunias?
Overwintering is the process of protecting your petunias from the cold weather. Fortunately, the procedure is quite straightforward to complete. For starters, you have to overwinter your petunias by the end of fall. Ideally, it should be before the first frost of the year. The first thing you want to do is cut your plants.