Mexican petunia

Mexican petunias should be watered once a week or when the top inch of soil feels dry. Water thoroughly, until water is draining out of the bottom of the container. Allow the soil to dry out a little between watering – about the top 1 to 2 inches – and then water. This is especially important during the winter months when the plant is dormant and needs less water.

Mexican petunia prefers full sun for optimal growth. It requires 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight on a daily basis. This can be provided by placing the petunias in an open, sunny spot in your garden or a sunny windowsill indoors. If they are not exposed to sufficient amounts of sunlight, their bloom rate and growth may be significantly reduced.

Pruning Mexican petunias is important to encourage plant health and new blooms. Pruning should generally occur twice a year, once in mid-summer and again in late fall. In mid-summer, deadheading spent flowers by cutting them off at their base will encourage new blooms. In fall, hard pruning, cutting back the spent stems to the base of the plant, will encourage new growth the following season. If your Mexican petunias have become leggy due to lack of sunlight, hard prune them in late fall to create a more full and dense plant.