How to Revive Petunias
- Apply a vitamin and hormone-based transplant solution to the petunias that show signs of transplant shock, such as severe wilting.
- Deadhead petunias by snapping the faded blooms from the vine. ...
- Examine the foliage of your petunia plants. If the leaves are limp and wilted, but remain green and pliable, watering may be all that is needed to revive ...
- Cut petunias back to within 2 inches from the soil level if the foliage has become crisp and dry. ...
- Move petunias in hanging baskets or containers to a sheltered location where they are shaded during the hottest part of the day, or provide shade for those grown ...
- Apply water-soluble fertilizer designed for blooming plants mixed at a rate of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water, on a seven- to 14-day schedule.
What do you do when petunias Wilt?
Pinch off dead petunia blooms as soon as they wilt to encourage further flowering and prevent weak growth. Pinch back any long stems to within 1/4 inch of a leaf to force the plant to branch and produce fuller growth. Monitor the plants for aphids, slugs and snails, which feed on the foliage and can leave the petunias looking ragged and weak.
How to revive a dying Petunia plant?
To revive a dying petunias ensure that the soil is moist but drains efficiently. This is achieved by watering petunias thoroughly once a week and planting in well draining compost. Locate petunias in full sun with good airflow to help them revive.
Should I water my Petunia after repotting?
After you have repotted your Petunia, don’t be in a hurry to water it in. There is still probably some moisture lingering around the root ball from its near-death experience, and the potting soil is likely to be slightly damp.
Will wilted petunias come back?
With quick intervention, petunias can often be revived. Cut back foliage on overly dried petunias to within several inches of the soil level. If foliage remains green, the chances of success are good. If leaves have yellowed, become brittle or begun to turn brown, cutting the petunia back may revive it.
How do you fix wilting petunias?
To revive a dying petunias ensure that the soil is moist but drains efficiently. This is achieved by watering petunias thoroughly once a week and planting in well draining compost. Locate petunias in full sun with good airflow to help them revive.
Why do my petunias look wilted?
Like lots of plants, petunias respond to a lack of water by wilting. Don't just water them more though! Wilting petunia flowers can also be a sign of too much water. Always check the soil around your petunias before watering–if the soil is still damp, don't water it.
What do petunias look like when they are overwatered?
An overwatered Petunia will look sad and depressed. You might find white spots on its leaves caused by edema. And its leaves may also turn yellow and fall off prematurely. In severe overwatering cases, your Petunias may also wilt.
Should petunias be watered everyday?
Petunias prefer full sunlight, so be aware, container plants may dry out more quickly during hot weather periods. During such periods the plants require two daily waterings. Bedded plants need water when the top 12-15 cm (5-6 inches) begin to dry. Bedded plants need once-a-week a deep watering.
Do petunias like direct sunlight?
Petunias need at least 5 or 6 hours of good sunlight; they'll perform even better when located in full sun all day. The more shade they receive, the fewer flowers they'll produce. Impatiens are a better choice for blooming in shady places.
How often should you water a hanging basket of petunias?
Petunias do best with consistent water. Hanging baskets dry out quickly, so it's important to check them frequently. If the soil feels dry 1-2 inches down, then it's time to water. During hotter weather, this may mean watering once or twice a day.
Can u over water petunias?
Too much water will essentially cause the petunias to drown, and they won't be able to do what they need to do. If you're watering the petunias before the soil has had the chance to properly drain, then you're going to have a bad time with this.
A Common Cause for Sagging Petunias
One of the most common issues when it comes to sagging, leggy petunias is that there is not enough water getting to the roots. Feel the soil; if it feels dried out (almost like a brick in texture), that is a good indication that water supply is an issue.
Pruning and Basic Maintenance
Generally speaking, you can save your sagging petunias from an untimely end with a little bit of basic maintenance and pruning. You start by cutting back the overgrown, lanky plants to around half of their height.
Spreading the Mulch and Finishing the Process
When you have trimmed down your petunias and begun to spread your fertilizer into your soil, now comes the time to mulch. Take mulch and spread it around your garden beds until it is about two inches in thickness or so.
Be Patient
When you have taken all of the necessary steps to prune them back, revitalize the soil, mulch, and fertilize, you have built the necessary foundation for success that your petunias need to begin blooming once again.
Step 1
Apply a vitamin and hormone-based transplant solution to the petunias that show signs of transplant shock, such as severe wilting. These formulas are available under several brand names and work by boosting root growth. Most formulas are highly concentrated. Mix 1/4 teaspoon to 1 gallon or water, unless otherwise indicated on the container.
Step 2
Deadhead petunias by snapping the faded blooms from the vine. When flowers are allowed to remain on the vine and go to seed, the plant gets the message that its job is done. Deadheading the old flowers tricks the plant into thinking it hasn't produced enough flowers to set seed and reproduce. As a result, the plant continues to produce new blooms.
Step 3
Examine the foliage of your petunia plants. If the leaves are limp and wilted, but remain green and pliable, watering may be all that is needed to revive them. Water them thoroughly until water runs freely through the bottom of the pot or, in the ground, until the soil is well soaked. Keep the soil evenly moist.
Step 4
Cut petunias back to within 2 inches from the soil level if the foliage has become crisp and dry. Otherwise, the Oregon State University extension service, Northwest Gardens, recommends cutting petunias back to a height of 6 inches when they become scraggly. This forces new growth along the stem.
Step 5
Move petunias in hanging baskets or containers to a sheltered location where they are shaded during the hottest part of the day, or provide shade for those grown in the soil.
Step 6
Apply water-soluble fertilizer designed for blooming plants mixed at a rate of 1 tablespoon per gallon of water, on a seven- to 14-day schedule. This is especially important for petunias grown in containers as nutrients leach through the bottom of the pot with each watering and must be replaced to support healthy growth.
How to revive leggy potted petunias that are looking spindly. Pruning your petunias can bring them back to looking full and lush once again. Super simple and you get a bonus from them if you choose!
Learn how reviving potted petunias can make for more beautiful blooms all summer long! About mid-summer petunias can start to look very spindly and sad. Give your petunias a good prune, a bit of feed, and plenty of water. Refreshing your spent, leggy petunias brings them back to their full glory for months. Petunia maintenance 101.
Reviving Potted Petunias
No matter how much I watered they did not bounce back. I checked for spider mites (nasty little critters) and other infestations but they were clean. Just ugly.
The Problem
I felt the soil and noticed it was like a brick. The petunias were not only root bound but the soil used for the hanging basket had turned into a rock. This can happen when peat moss is used in container mixes. It compresses and becomes a brick.
The Fix for Bedraggled Petunias
Give the plants a good soak. Take a Garden knife shove the blade down into the moistened brick of soil in the pot. I wiggle it to make holes throughout the solid chunk of soil.
Get Tough
I cut back this petunia plant severely. All the way to the rim of the pot.
Patiently Wait
I hung them back up and kept up with watering and feeding. My roses climbing the porch posts were in full bloom and stealing the show anyway so the petunia baskets just showing a bit of green was not a huge loss for the time being.
What Does Wilting Really Mean?
We often use wilted leaves as a sure sign of possible problems with your plants. Do you really know what it going on to make your houseplants droop?
Why Are My Petunias Wilting?
Obviously, take a look at the water conditions first. As previously mentioned, petunias will wilt when the soil is dry and the plant is lacking water. It’s a simple concept and the first thing that comes to a gardener’s mind.
General Petunia Care
Now that we’ve covered all the bases on why petunias wilt, we should have a brief overview on overall petunia care. As we already mentioned, petunias will bloom their best in sunny locations and should be planted in well-draining soil.
Underwatering symptoms versus overwatering symptoms
Strangely enough, the symptoms between these very different problems can seem quite similar to the untrained eye.
How to Fix Overwatered Petunias
Quick action is required now that you have identified the problem. Here are the steps you need to follow to save your overwatered petunia.
How to Water a Petunia
When grown in their more familiar garden setting, Petunia’s are quite tolerant of dry spells, and you may well get away with watering them as little as once per week.
Common Mistakes and Solutions
Watering is one area where it is easy to get things wrong until you understand what you are trying to do.
Final Words
Grown indoors, your Petunia will provide you with a visually attractive and unusual houseplant. They are easy to look after, but overwatering can quickly become an issue.

A Common Cause For Sagging Petunias
Pruning and Basic Maintenance
- Generally speaking, you can save your sagging petunias from an untimely end with a little bit of basic maintenanceand pruning. You start by cutting back the overgrown, lanky plants to around half of their height. To do this, you need clean, sharp shears. When petunias begin to develop leggy, weak growth – generally halfway through the summer – you ...
Spreading The Mulch and Finishing The Process
- When you have trimmed down your petunias and begun to spread your fertilizer into your soil, now comes the time to mulch. Take mulch and spread it around your garden beds until it is about two inches in thickness or so. Mulch is a great way to keep your soil cool, providing some insulation against the strong midday heat. Not only that, the mulch can help to conserve soil moisture. Thi…
Be Patient
- When you have taken all of the necessary steps to prune them back, revitalize the soil, mulch, and fertilize, you have built the necessary foundation for success that your petunias need to begin blooming once again. When that is done, all you need to do is keep up with your feeding and watering while trying to remain patient. This can be difficult to do, especially if your petunias are …