Gardening Season is Now Here

View Plants

Back to all plants

Petunia

Petunia Trailing

Petunia x hybrida

Also known as: Trailing Wave Petunia, Cascading Petunia

  • Annuals Containers and Baskets
  • Full Sun
  • Medium
  • 15–20 cm
  • 75–120 cm
  • 30–40 cm
  • Low
  • Spiller

Bloom window: Late Spring to Frost

Petunia Trailing covers long cascading stems with continuous large blooms for hanging baskets and elevated planters. A classic Manitoba patio spiller for full-sun containers.

Soil
Well-drained, Loam
Native status
Introduced
Growth rate
Fast
Flower colour
Red, Pink, White, Purple, Blue
Foliage colour
Green
Foliage habit
Deciduous
Landscape use
Container
Attracts
Bees, Hummingbirds

Care guides

Watering

Petunia Trailing performs best when the potting mix or bed soil stays evenly moist like a well-wrung sponge during active flowering. Water thoroughly until moisture runs from container drainage holes, or until garden soil is wet through the root zone, then wait until the top 2–3 cm begins to dry before the next full soak. Hanging baskets and elevated planters in Steinbach dry extremely fast in July prairie wind—inspect daily in heat waves, sometimes twice on exposed south exposures. Consistent deep watering beats frequent shallow sprinkles that never reach the full root ball. Always confirm drainage is unobstructed to prevent crown and root rot.

Sunlight

Petunia Trailing (Petunia hybrid) should be placed in full sun. For strongest stems, colour, and flower or fruit production, provide at least 6 hours of direct daily sun, with morning light especially valuable before intense Manitoba afternoon heat. Sites under dense tree canopies or on the north side of buildings typically produce leggy growth, fewer buds, and weaker colour—avoid those locations for this plant. At a mature size around 15–20 cm, give neighbouring plants enough space so they do not shade out the crown as the season progresses.

Pruning

Most modern Petunia Trailing selections are largely self-cleaning, dropping spent blooms without constant attention. Still, pinch soft tips 1–2 weeks after planting to force lateral branching, and shear plants back by about one-third in midsummer if heat, wind, or storms leave them thin or leggy—fresh growth and a strong late-season flush usually follow within 10–14 days. Strip yellowing lower leaves to keep the canopy neat. Pull plants after the first hard frost and compost only disease-free material.