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Key Points
- Deadheading and pruning can help petunias perk back up by refocusing energy on new growth.
- Petunias are low-maintenance, but still require regular watering and daily sunlight to create full blooms.
- Consider protecting your plants from external elements like wind or pest damage.
Depending on where you live, petunias are probably a summer staple in your flower beds. They’re a reliable burst of color, and they tend to thrive in a variety of conditions. As long as they’re in a sunny spot and watered regularly, petunias are generally considered low-maintenance plants.
As the summer goes on, it’s not uncommon to catch your petunias drooping and dying—especially if you’ve faced a summer of extremes. But with a few handy tips you might be able to revive your near-dead petunias and bring them back to thrive until the season ends.
Deadhead Any Lost Blooms
One of the best ways to help a struggling petunia plant is by deadheading; this is the process of removing any dead or faded flowers from the plant.
Deadheading petunias both encourages more blooming and immediately fixes the look of your plant. The reason it encourages more flowers to bloom is because the plant can focus its energy on new life, rather than trying to revive spent blossoms.
You can do this either with proper shears, or by simply picking off the dead flower with your fingers.
Prune the Dried Foliage
Another way to perk up your petunias is with pruning. This is similar to deadheading (it serves the same purpose), but instead of tackling the dead flowers, you go for the dead leaves. Along with cleaning up the look of your plant, you’re also helping it direct its energy toward new, fresh growth.
While pinching off flowers is an option for deadheading, you’ll need proper, sharp shears for dealing with the foliage. It’s also important they’re clean, as otherwise you run the risk of spreading disease to the plant.
Adjust Your Watering Schedule
Depending on where you live, petunias don’t require too much attention, but they still need regular watering. If you notice your plants look dire, have a peek at your watering schedule. You might need to make adjustments.
While petunias planted in the ground can go longer, anything in a pot needs daily watering. But you don’t want to over-water your petunias, either. If your plants look parched and crispy, amp up the water. If the leaves are yellow and the plants are drooping, slow it down.
Ensure Proper Drainage
Along with taking note of whether or not your petunias are drooping and looking yellow, you also need to beware of root rot. This is when the roots of your petunias become waterlogged, and it’s the most fatal effect of over-watering.
If you suspect your petunias are at risk, they might need removing or relocating into fresh soil that can ensure good drainage. If you plan to repot in the same container, make sure you clean and disinfect the pot thoroughly to avoid the spread of any mold or mildew that might have started to accumulate.
Fertilize the Soil
Petunias are considered heavy feeders, which means they benefit from fertilizers. Slow-release options are great, and can be used both in the ground and when petunias are planted in pots and containers.
Along with reviving your plants, fertilizing petunias can also help with more abundant blooms and a longer growing season. If you don’t want to invest in special fertilizer, you can try making your own compost, or adding banana peels or coffee grounds to the soil.
Move Into Full Sun
Petunias thrive with the right amount of sunlight, so check the light levels if you find your blooms aren’t full or abundant. You should aim to provide these plants with at least six hours of direct sunlight a day, although eight or more is ideal.
If your plants are in containers, this should be easy enough to resolve—simply move the pot. If you’re dealing with grumpy petunias in the ground, it’s likely time to relocate. Some shade is fine, but a sunny spot is an absolute must if you’re hoping to perk your plants up enough to see more flowers.
Offer Protection From the Elements
As a final potential problem for your petunias, consider their exposure to any extreme elements. Blistering sun with no water is an obvious problem, but petunias can also be sensitive to strong winds—especially any varieties with more delicate blooms.
Keep an eye out, too, for any potential pests. Petunias are prone to attracting aphids and slugs, while rabbits and deer might also snack on these blooms. If you notice any signs of an invasion, consider moving or protecting your plants to help bring them back to life.
If They Don’t Revive
If you apply all these fixes and your petunias still don’t perk up, check for crispy or limp stems, or yellow and mushy growth. These are signs it’s time for a new plant.
Read the original article on The Spruce
