Wave Petunias [Care Guide, Pictures and More]

Wave Petunias are dense, full, and showered with a profuse number of bright blooms. This variety of petunias was created to have both the habit of growth of petunias (mounded and upright) and of trailing vine plants. Blooms may be seen in shades of white, red, purple, pink, yellow, blue, and various color patterns. Their vivd blooms last all summer long and can even last into the fall months.

This variety of annual petunias look fantastic in hanging baskets, containers, and even planted in your garden beds. Their long, spreading, trailing habit of growth make them showstoppers in any location. Some varieties may trail up to 4 feet and spread between 3 and 5 feet.

Botanical Background of Wave Petunia

Petunias have a humble beginning, dating back to 19th century European gardens and having only small flowers and leggy foliage. However, gardeners saw their potential and began crossing them to create larger, more colorful flowers and other more appealing characteristics. Over the years, changes and improvements were made, leading to the abundance of petunias we know and love today.

Wave Petunias were created in 1995, marking the inception of a new class of spreading petunias. A Japanese company, Kirin Brewery bred this new variety and then the PanAmerican Seed Company introduced it to the world.

Its botanical name is Petunia x hybrida.

Since the creation of the very first Wave Petunia, there are now 5 types within the Wave Petunia series and over 55 different cultivars (a plant variety based on selective breeding). The 5 types include Original Wave, Easy Wave, Double Wave, Tidal Wave, and Shock Wave.

How to Grow Wave Petunia

Let's take a quick look at what it would take go grow wave petunias in your garden.

Where to plan Wave Petunias

Wave Petunia grows best when it's planted outdoors, whether that be in your garden beds or hanging baskets and containers. Because of its need for direct sunlight, the outdoors is best suited for its growth.

In the "thriller, filler, spiller" container combination, it adds all the texture, color, and shape you can imagine as the "spiller" piece. Wave Petunias display their blooms from mid-spring until the first frost, so they'll put on a show outside.

How much space does Wave Petunia need?

This variety of petunias is very impressive in its size. Though it only reaches a height between 6 and 8 inches, it can spread an astounding 3 to 5 feet in width and can trail up to 4 feet in length.

They are known for taking up the space in which they're planted. When planting, space them 12 to 24 inches apart, depending on the look you want to create.

Growing Zones for Wave Petunia

Grow these petunias in USDA plant hardiness zones 9 through 11 for optimal performance. They perform best in warm climates as long as they receive adequate water.

Type of Soil Needed for Wave Petunia

Petunias perform best in loose, well-draining soil that's slightly acidic and has additional nutrients like peat moss mixed into it.

Light, Water, and Fertilization Requirements

Wave Petunias need a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight each day. They enjoy the warm weather and thrive in it. The less sunlight they receive, the more leggy and yellowed they'll become, and can eventually die.

Water these petunias frequently, but don't water log the plant. The soil must be well-draining to allow the water to pass through it. Water them when the top inch of soil has dried out. Remember that when you grow petunias in containers or baskets, they may need more frequent watering.

Because of Wave Petunias' fast rate of growth, fertilization is an important component of maintaining the health and performance of the plant. This helps prevent the plant from becoming leggy, yellowed, and losing blooms.

Fertilize them every 7 to 10 days with a water-soluble fertilizer composed of equal parts nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium. Watering the fertilizer into the soil will ensure the release of the nutrients.

Step-by-Step Wave Petunia Growing Guide from Seedling

Select a growing location that receives bright, direct sunlight for at least 6 hours a day
Add nutrients to the planting soil, dig a hole for the plant, then add fertilizer
Place your Wave Petunia in its new home and water it
Fertilize every 7-10 days and water it once the top inch of soil is dry
Enjoy the show of colorful blooms!

Pictures of Wave Petunia

It's always nice to imagine how a plant would look in your garden. What better way to do that than to look at images? We've put together this Wave Petunia picture gallery just for that reason.

Porch Planters

Planting Wave Petunias on your porch containers adds a pop of rich color and texture. The dense foliage fills space nicely and creates a soft, natural appearance.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/704039354228287254/

The Original Wave Petunia

The Purple Wave Petunia was the very first variety of Wave Petunia bred, the one that started the Wave Petunia craze. Get one today so that your garden can showcase the origins of this magnificent plant variety.

Pop of Color

Using Wave Petunia varieties with bright blooms creates an eye-catching element in your garden, especially against plants and trees with the same color schemes.

Wave Petunia Mix of Colors

You can find seed packages that contain a mixture of different colored Wave Petunias so that your hanging baskets or containers are filled with an abundant variety of colored blooms.

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Waterfalls of Blooms

What better way to complement the structure of a shaped shrub in a container than with a waterfall of bright blooms? While the shrub provides height to the container, Wave Petunias provide a dense filling and interest with its overflowing blooms.

Window Boxes

The trailing habit of Wave Petunias makes them a perfect fit for window boxes. Use a lot of different colors and textures from assorted plants to create an eye-catching piece.

Sunlight Seeking Plants

Wave Petunias love the sun. Utilizing hanging baskets and placing them around your porch, deck, or pergola is a great way for them to add color and interest to those areas while receiving enough sunlight to produce big, beautiful blooms.

Curb Appeal

Flowers are a guaranteed way to increase the appeal of your home and the surrounding grounds. Grow Wave Petunias in window boxes or containers around your home for this effect.

Garden Edgers

The colors and textures provided by Wave Petunias serve as points of interest when edging a garden or used along garden walls and borders. Their blooms can help cover ugly stone or just simply supply more garden intrigue and life.

https://www.pinterest.com/pin/675540012835127595/

Thriller, Filler, Spiller Combination

For container gardening, the thriller, filler, spiller combination involves the use of three different types of plants to create intriguing, beautiful arrangements. Wave Petunias serve well as the "spiller" plant.

Cascading Hanging Baskets

Thick trailing foliage filled with blooms adds a ton of beauty to your hanging baskets. Make your home standout with features like hanging baskets.

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Garden Filler

Because Wave Petunias love to fill the space in which they're planted, they make great filler plants in your garden. Be warned though, if you plant other plants with these petunias, make sure it's as vigorous of a grower so it won't get choked out.

Spilling Blooms over a Bordering Wall

The brightly colored blooms look phenomenal as they spill over the edges of a border wall, giving more interest and character to an otherwise bland structure.

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Where to Buy Wave Petunia Online

As one of the most beautiful and easiest to care for annuals, you're probably wanting to grow your own Wave Petunias to enjoy. Check out the links below to start your own garden.