Many gardeners love petunias as an annual flower because they are easy to take care of and come in many colors and patterns. They produce a continuous color of blooms from spring to late fall. They look great in landscapes, flower beds, vegetable gardens, pots and hanging baskets.
Petunias thrive in a number of locations around the yard but they shine when planted in hanging baskets. Although petunias are low-maintenance, a little bit of care will go a long way. So what are some tips you can use to ensure your basket-bound petunias are stunning all season long?.
There are a number of methods to keep petunias reblooming continuously and to keep hanging baskets healthy. Now let’s look at some ways to keep your basket-bound petunias healthy and help them bloom for longer!
Petunias are a popular choice for hanging baskets due to their colorful blooms and trailing or cascading growth habit. When cared for properly, petunias in hanging baskets will flower abundantly from spring through fall. However, basket-bound plants do require some special considerations compared to planting in the ground. Here are some tips for caring for petunia hanging baskets to keep them looking their best all season long.
Choosing the Right Basket
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Select at least a 10-12 inch wide basket. This gives adequate room for roots and growth.
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Make sure basket has good drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
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Line basket with coco liner or moss lining to help retain moisture.
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For lightweight plastic hangers, add drainage rocks in bottom to provide ballast.
Use a Quality Potting Mix
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Use a light, fluffy potting soil meant for containers.
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Avoid regular garden soil which can get too compacted.
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Mix in a slow-release fertilizer at planting time.
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Fill basket and firm soil gently around roots when transplanting starts.
Give Plenty of Sunlight
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Petunias need at least 6 hours of direct sun daily.
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Consider sunlight patterns before hanging basket in a spot.
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South or west facing locations ideal to maximize sunlight.
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Partial shade is okay but may reduce overall flowering.
Water Frequently
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Check soil moisture daily, water when top 1-2″ is dry.
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Heat and wind will dry out hanging baskets faster.
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Water until it flows from drainage holes at bottom.
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Avoid overhead watering late in day, which can promote disease.
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Reduce watering frequency in cool weather to prevent soggy soil.
Fertilize Regularly
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At planting, mix slow-release fertilizer into soil.
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Supplement monthly with a water-soluble, balanced fertilizer.
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Look for signs of nutrient deficiencies like yellowing leaves.
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Overfertilizing can cause leaf burn or excessive foliage growth.
Prune as Needed
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Pinch back leggy shoots to encourage bushier growth.
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Can prune up to 1/3 of plant in midsummer for rejuvenation.
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Remove spent blooms if variety is not self-cleaning.
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Cut back any diseased or pest-infested parts promptly.
Monitor for Problems
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Check for signs of disease like powdery mildew, root rot.
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Treat immediately to avoid spread to healthy tissue.
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Watch for common pests like aphids, thrips, whiteflies.
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Remove or treat affected parts right away before pests spread.
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Discard any basket with severe infestation or disease.
Pick the Right Varieties
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Look for basket-specific petunias like Wave or Supertunia.
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Trailing types work well as a “spiller” element.
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Upright or mounded varieties make nice “thrillers”.
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Combine colors, shapes and growth habits for stunning combos.
Display for Maximum Impact
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Hang in areas that allow plants to trail gracefully.
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Place where breezes will flutter blooms and foliage.
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Hang at viewers’ eye level for best appreciation.
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For overhangs, adjust hanger length so plants aren’t obscured.
Protect from Extreme Weather
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Move basket under shelter if high winds, hail forecasted.
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Avoid hanging in locations with no wind protection.
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Can place basket on ground temporarily until storm passes.
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If overnight frost predicted, cover basket or move indoors.
Design Eye-Catching Combinations
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Group varieties in complementary colors like purple and pink.
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Contrasting combos like red and yellow also pop beautifully.
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Include varieties with different growth habits for dimension.
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Limit to 2-3 varieties in 10-12″ baskets for visual balance.
Timely Fall Care
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Transition to cooler weather by reducing water and fertilizer.
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Once flowering stops, trim back plants by 1/3 for winter.
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Clean up spent plants and baskets at end of season.
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Store cleaned baskets in protected area over winter.
With the right care and maintenance, petunia hanging baskets will reward you with stunning color and bloom from spring through fall. Just be sure to give them plenty of sun, water, and fertilizer for the vibrant displays petunias are known for. Mixing up your petunia varieties creates gorgeous, cascading floral arrangements sure to dress up any outdoor living space.
Choose The Right Varieties
With so many options for petunias, there are varieties that grow better in hanging baskets then anywhere else. Wave and supertunia varieties are excellent options for basket-bound petunias. They may cost a little more but will be well worth it in the long run.
Wave and supertunia varieties are self-cleaning and won’t require you to remove spent blooms throughout the season. This is great because they won’t have to take the basket off the hook or reach up high to clean off the dead flowers.
Most of these types are trailing types that hang over the edge of the basket, which is a common look that people want. Depending on the variety you choose, they can vary in length from 24 inches to 48 inches long.
It’s also possible to grow mounding types in baskets; they just won’t spill over the sides as much.
Prune and Deadhead When Necessary
Not all petunias will need to be pruned and deadheaded throughout the season. LIke I mentioned earlier, wave and supertunia petunias are self-cleaning and will drop spent blooms.
If you choose to grow types of petunias that don’t clean themselves, you may need to remove the spent flowers to keep them looking clean and healthy.
Pruning leggy stems can be done on all petunias at some point in the season. Leggy stems will have few blooms and leaves and aren’t appealing to the eye. Cut back any stems you feel are becoming too long and scraggly. This will promote a shorter, fuller petunia that produces more blooms.
Secrets to Growing Huge Hanging Flower Baskets full of Petunias or any other Plants
FAQ
How to care for petunias in hanging pots?