Petunia

Petunias are cheerful flowers that bloom in many colors! They are perfect for hanging baskets and garden beds.

Habitat: Gardens and outdoor spaces

Appearance

The Petunia has trumpet-shaped flowers with velvety petals that come in a dazzling array of colors, including purple, pink, red, and white. Some feature stripes or ruffled edges, making them visually distinctive.

KingdomPlantaePhylumAngiospermaeClassDicotyledoneaeOrderTubifloraeFamilySolanaceaeGenusPetunia

Petunia

Interesting facts

Petunias are cousins to chili peppers and potatoes!

Some wild petunias can actually smell like cloves!

Their tiny seeds are smaller than a grain of salt!

You can find petunias growing almost anywhere on Earth!

Special abilities

Petunias release sweet fragrances, especially at dusk, to guide nocturnal moths directly to their nectar for pollination.

Many petunia varieties have sticky hairs on their stems and leaves, which can trap and deter small insect pests.

Their vibrant, diverse flower colors act as strong visual signals, attracting bees and hummingbirds for pollination.

Measurements & details

Height: 15-45 cm
Spread: 30-90 cm
Flower Size: 4-10 cm
Bloom Season: Spring to frost
Is Edible: No
Toxicity: Mild
Lifecycle: Annual
Pollination Method: Insect

Ecological connections

eats

Tobacco Hornworm

Manduca sexta

Larvae feed on petunia leaves.

pollinates

Honeybee

Apis mellifera

Gathers nectar and pollen from flowers.

pollinates

Ruby-throated Hummingbird

Archilochus colubris

Feeds on nectar from deep tubular flowers.

pollinates

White-lined Sphinx Moth

Hyles lineata

Visits fragrant flowers at dusk.

Traits

Annual

Discover plants that complete their whole life story, from a tiny seed to making new seeds, all within a single growing season! Then, they gracefully finish their cycle.

Flowering

These are the plants that produce beautiful blossoms, attracting pollinators and adding splashes of color to our world. Each flower is a tiny marvel!

Shade Tolerant

Discover plants that love to live in the shadows, growing beautifully and happily even in spots where the sun doesn't shine all day long.

Summer Blooming

Enjoy the sunny days with these vibrant plants that show off their stunning flowers all through the warmest months, adding color to the long summer days.

Tube Flower

Discover unique flowers shaped like long, slender tubes, often attracting special pollinators like hummingbirds with their sweet nectar.

Fragrant Flower

Discover flowers that release delightful scents into the air, enchanting our senses and attracting helpful insects. Take a moment to enjoy their sweet perfume!