Petunias that Self-Sewed Pinks Whites

Will Petunias Self-Seed?

If soil and light conditions are right, Petunias self-seed readily. The secret is to avoid accidentally weeding tiny petunia seedlings in late spring.

Self-seeded petunias germinate around Memorial Day here in USDA Hardiness Zone 6. Right when spring rains start to dry out and the air temperature is on the rise.

Petunia seedlings outgrow weeds in late spring. The seedlings become established before summer annual weeds, such as crabgrass and lamb’s quarters.

Petunia Grouping Self Seeding Three Years

Here’s the original planting from three years ago. Note how the flowers are the same color before (below) and different colors after (above).

Petunias Original Planting

I added five additional Wave Petunias this year. The Wave Petunias are the purply-lavender flowers on the bottom right.

Multi-Color Spreading Petunia Grouping From Seed

If you’re letting your petunias self-sew, be patient. Initially, the tiny seedlings seem to take forever.

However, you’ll begin seeing flowers in a few weeks, and the fun begins.

Self-Sown Petunia Flower Variations

I enjoy the variation of colors and shapes of self-sewn petunias more than planting one cultivar. Note the pinks, whites, and a gradient from pink to white.

Petunias that Self-Sewed Pinks Whites

White with a touch of lavender and rounded petals.

Petunia White Rounded Petals

A bold lavender pink. Note the white center.

Purple Pink Petunias

Deep red with pointy petals and a lighter-colored center.

Deep Red Petunia with Pointy Petals

Lavender-to-white gradient with a white center and pointed petals.

Petunias White to Lavender Gradient Pointy Flowers

Lavender-to-white gradient with a white center and rounded petals.

Petunias White to Lavender Gradient Rounded Flowers

Tips for Self-Seeding Petunias

I haven’t mulched my gardens for a few years. The lack of mulch may be why petunia seedlings thrive.

I can’t say if petunias will self-sow if you mulch around the plants.

Where to Plant Petunias

Petunias like soil on the drier side, although once in bloom, I water and fertilize them regularly with bloom booster.

Although petunias like full sun, they tolerate less light. The petunias below are growing in partial shade.

Petunia Grouping Self Seeding Three Years

I plant petunias and other annuals next to a walkway or seating area where they can be viewed often.

Can Petunia Self Seed in My Garden?

The first year my pansies self-sowed, I was unsure how they would do. They grew only because I didn’t weed for a few weeks, giving the seedlings a chance to grow.

Initially, I thought there weren’t enough seedlings to fill the space.

I also believed self-seeded petunias wouldn’t look as good as plants from the garden center.

I was wrong on both counts.

If, by chance, the petunias seedlings don’t make it, you can always fill in with some fresh plants from the garden center.


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6 responses to “Will Petunias Self-Seed?”

  1. Peter Gomis Avatar
    Peter Gomis

    If petunias can self-seed, doesn’t that make them perennials?

    1. John Holden Avatar

      Great question Peter! If a plant survives the winter without dying, the roots and/or top growth, it is a perennial. If a plant goes to seed and the seed germinates after the winter it is an annual.

  2. Mark Cotter Avatar
    Mark Cotter

    Thanks for the info John! I hope all is well for you!

    1. John Holden Avatar

      Thanks Mark. Going well over here. 🙂

  3. lauren silver Avatar

    I LOVE that you’ve shared this John! I got to know a woman who taught in the Horticulture Department at University of Northern Iowa when I was in Cedar Falls for a year. She taught a course called, “Lazy Gardening” that was all about how to get lots of wonderful plants without having to do nearly as much work weeding or purchasing of nursery plants. It takes patience and a sense of wonder. You are fortunate to have both of these important traits.

    1. John Holden Avatar

      Thanks Lauren. The first year the petunias self-sowed it was purely by accident. Now I enjoy them returning every year. Volunteers are my favorite type of plants, they add a sense of randomness to the garden. It’s amazing how many volunteers I get now that I’ve stopped mulching.