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Petunia (incl. spreading types): when to plant and care

In zones 9+ often planted in fall or late winter. Spreading types need little deadheading.

Botanical namePetunia × atkinsiana
Typeannual
USDA zones9–11
Sunfull sun
Watermoderate
Bloomspring to fall (cool season in the Deep South)
Mature size0.5–1.5 ft
Planting timeAfter the last spring frost
Dark purple petunia flowers among green foliage
Photo: Salwa Farwaneh Dameh, CC0, via Wikimedia Commons

Frost-tender; cold soil stalls growth.

Example dates

PlaceDates
Austin, TX (78701)spring: Mar 17–Apr 7
Atlanta, GA (30303)spring: Mar 31–Apr 21
St. Louis, MO (63101)spring: Apr 8–29
Chicago, IL (60614)spring: Apr 17–May 8
Denver, CO (80202)spring: May 7–28
Seattle, WA (98101)spring: Mar 20–Apr 10

Every ZIP page has its own dates. Find your ZIP.

State plant programs

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Sources

Summarized in our own words from public extension publications.

All plant guides