How to Care for Wave Petunias

Wave petunias are a hybrid of the old-fashioned petunia plants and are more tolerant of heat, extreme weather and humidity. They require much less care than regular petunias and produce beautiful flowers throughout summer and fall. Wave petunias are particularly well-suited to hanging baskets and planters. Their trailing growth makes a wonderful display on balconies and porches, and they work equally well as a ground cover in sunny garden beds.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Fertilizer
• Pruning shears

1. Plant Wave petunias in spring after all danger of frost has passed. Choose a planting location with rich, well-drained soil that receives at least six hours of sunlight per day. Wave petunias can also be planted in containers and placed in an area of full sun on a patio or balcony. Space plants at least two feet apart as Wave hybrids can grow to four feet wide.

2. Water Wave petunia plants once per week for the first few months of growth. Reduce watering once plants become well-established. As a general rule, water any time the top two inches of soil are dry to the touch. During very hot weather or periods of drought, daily watering might be required, particularly for container plants.

3. Feed Wave petunias using an all-purpose flower fertilizer once every two weeks. Feed container-grown plants once every 10 days. Follow the manufacturer's instructions for proper dosage. Water plants thoroughly before and after application to prevent root burn.

4. Prune Wave petunias only if the growth becomes leggy. Snip off unruly stems using pruning shears as necessary. Deadheading is not required to extend blooming, but spent flowers can be removed by hand to improve appearance throughout the growing season.

5. Allow Wave petunias to die back in the fall and plant fresh plants the following spring. Do not plant in the same garden bed two years in a row. Instead, plant the petunias in a different location each spring. Remove and refresh potting soil the following year if growing Wave petunia plants in containers.

Tips & Warnings

• If your Wave petunias begin wilting, it can indicate they are not receiving enough water, or the roots could be dying. Make sure they have adequate sunlight and moisture to grow. Yellowing leaves often indicate the plant is not receiving enough fertilizer. Wave petunias are very heavy feeders. Increase fertilization to once every 10 days, and remember it can take up to two weeks after application to see improvement or new growth.

References

• Ways to Use "Wave Series" Petunias
• Wave Petunia Plant Pointers
• Book: Georgia Gardener's Guide; Erica Glasener, Walter Reeves; 2004