Consulta Plantas

Care of the plant Petunia or Garden petunia

The genus Petunia, family Solanaceae, comprises 40 species of flowering plants native to Uruguay, Argentina and Brazil. Some species and varieties are: Petunia integrifolia, Petunia axillaris, Petunia hybrida, Petunia nana compacta, Petunia grandiflora, Petunia superbissima, Petunia fimbriata, Petunia pendula.

Common names: Garden petunia, Trailing petunia.

They are herbaceous plants with a creeping bearing and hairy stems that reach 50 cm (19.68") in height. The leaves have an alternate arrangement and a rounded or elongated shape. The showy flowers have a trumpet shape and a wide variety of colors: white, pink, purple, fuchsia, red, etc. They bloom profusely from mid-spring to mid-fall.

They are used in flowerbeds, borders, rockeries and in pots to decorate windows, balconies and terraces.

The Petunia needs a very sunny exposure and protected from the wind and rain. They need a warm-temperate climate and resist the proximity of the sea well.

They are very rustic plants that prefer a soil rich in mineral substances and well drained with coarse sand.

Water regularly so that the substrate is slightly damp (3 times a week in summer). The plant indicates that it needs water when the leaves are withered.

They do not need pruning but it's convenient to remove the flowers and leaves that are wilting.

Fertilize with compost in autumn and during the flowering season, fertilize every 15 days with a fertilizer rich in phosphorus and potassium.

They can be attacked by insects and aphids. Excessive watering causes yellowing of the leaves.

They are propagated by seeds sown in mid-spring.

Images of the plant Petunia or Garden petunia