Petunia
ExplorePlants
Petunia
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
Category
PlantsRarity
Common
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Snaps
Be the first to snap!
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
Ability
Scent Signal
Petunias release sweet fragrances, especially at dusk, to guide nocturnal moths directly to their nectar for pollination.
Ability
Sticky Defense
Many petunia varieties have sticky hairs on their stems and leaves, which can trap and deter small insect pests.
Ability
Color Calling Card
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
- 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
Annual plants complete their entire life cycle, from germination to seed production, within a single growing season.
Flowering
Flowering plants are any plants that produce flowers as part of their reproductive cycle.
Shade Tolerant
Shade tolerant plants are adapted to grow and thrive in areas with low light levels, requiring less direct sunlight.
Summer Blooming
Summer blooming plants produce their flowers during the summer season, often providing vibrant color when many other plants have finished.
Tube Flower
A tube flower has petals fused together at the base, forming a distinct tubular structure that typically holds nectar deep within.
Fragrant Flower
Fragrant flowers emit a pleasant aroma, often to attract pollinators or for defense.
Urban Friendly
This habitat trait indicates species that can coexist with humans in urban and suburban environments, utilizing man-made structures and green spaces.
Also known as
Petunia FlowerPetunia Plant
Collections
Safety
Danger
1/5 · Very low
Explore with care and ask an adult if you’re unsure what to do.
Frequently Asked Questions
How tall is Petunia?
15-45 cm
How wide does Petunia spread?
30-90 cm
How big are the flowers on Petunia?
4-10 cm
When does Petunia bloom?
Spring to frost
Is Petunia edible?
No
Is Petunia toxic?
Mild
What is Petunia's lifecycle?
Annual
How is Petunia pollinated?
Insect
Snap Map
Zoom in to split clusters and explore where this object has been snapped.
Loading map…
Recent Snaps
Recent snaps will appear here as new observations are added.
