If you’re a fan of big, bold colors, chances are you’ve already got a petunia or two brightening up your balcony. These beauties come in almost every color imaginable and are practically made for soaking up the sun on a rooftop terrace. To keep that sea of blooms looking gorgeous all season long, I’ve put together a few of my favorite tips.
Why Your Balcony is the Perfect Spot
While petunias work fine in garden beds or even as ground cover, they really thrive in balcony planters. Since these plants are native to South America, they are total sun-worshippers. A south-facing balcony is the gold standard, giving them those long hours of direct sunlight they crave. Plus, most balconies offer a bit of a windbreak or a roof overhang, which protects their delicate petals from heavy rain and gusts.
Pro Tip: If you plant petunias in the ground, slugs and snails will treat them like an all-you-can-eat buffet. Moving them up to a balcony keeps them safe from those slimy garden pests!
Caring for Your Balcony Petunias
Once you’ve found that perfect sunny spot, petunias are actually pretty low-maintenance. All they really need is consistent watering and a regular dose of fertilizer to keep the flowers coming. Every now and then, just pinch off any spent blooms or dried-up leaves to keep things looking tidy. One thing to watch out for: aphids. These little pests love petunias, so give your plants a quick once-over every week to catch any hitchhikers early.
Bringing Petunias Indoors for Winter
Most of us treat petunias as annuals because they are super sensitive to frost. However, if you have a favorite plant you’re not ready to say goodbye to, you can actually bring it inside for the winter. Keep it in a cool, bright spot until the weather warms up again next summer.
Pro Tip: Honestly? Petunia seeds are super cheap and available year-round. Sometimes it’s just easier to start fresh with new seeds in the spring than trying to baby a plant through the winter.
My Top Picks: Trailing Petunia Varieties
Looking to mix things up? While upright petunias are classic, trailing varieties look absolutely stunning spilling over the sides of a hanging basket. Here are a few of my favorites for that “flower waterfall” look:
- Petunia Bordeaux
- Petunia Chocolina
- Petunia Supercal Velvet
- Petunia Violet Star
- Petunia Veranda White
- Petunia Conchita Doble Blue
Pro Tip: If you treat these varieties right, their trails can reach anywhere from 24 to 32 inches long!
