Petunia Petunia × atkinsiana 'Storm Lavender'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The 'Storm Lavender' variety of petunia features stunning, funnel-shaped flowers with smooth and slightly ruffled edges that exude a soft, lavender hue. These blooms emanate a delicate fragrance and create a delightful visual effect when gathered in generous clusters. The petals possess a velvety texture and may showcase faint veins of a slightly deeper lavender tone, creating a subtle yet captivating contrast. This petunia variety generally presents a robust and bushy growth habit, with dark green, oval-shaped leaves that provide a rich background to the lighter colored flowers. The foliage is dense, contributing to the full and lush appearance of the plant. As 'Storm Lavender' petunias bloom profusely, they often form a continuous sea of lavender that can add a soothing splash of color to any garden display or floral arrangement.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Solanaceae
- Synonyms
  Garden Petunia, Hybrid Petunia
- Common names
  Petunia × hybrida 'Storm Lavender'
Toxicity
- To humans
  Petunias are generally considered non-toxic to humans. If ingested by humans, Petunias are not expected to produce any significant toxic effects. Accidental ingestion may cause mild gastrointestinal discomfort, but serious symptoms are unlikely. It is always advisable to exercise caution and keep plants out of reach of children who may ingest them out of curiosity.
- To pets
  Petunias, including the 'Storm Lavender' variety, are widely regarded as non-toxic to pets such as cats and dogs. Ingesting parts of the plant should not cause any significant symptoms of poisoning in pets. While it is always a good practice to prevent pets from eating plants, petunias are not typically a cause for concern if ingested in small quantities. Large amounts may cause mild gastrointestinal upset, but serious health issues are not expected.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Deciduous
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Lavender
- Height
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Spread
  1 foot (30 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Aesthetic Appeal: The 'Storm Lavender' variety of petunia provides vibrant lavender-colored blooms that enhance the visual appeal of gardens and landscapes.
- Easy to Grow: Petunias are known for being low-maintenance, making them suitable for both beginners and experienced gardeners.
- Continual Blooming: These petunias have a long flowering period, providing color from spring until frost in many areas.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects, aiding in pollination of surrounding plants.
- Versatility: Petunias can be planted in garden beds, containers, hanging baskets, and as border plants, offering flexibility in garden design.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, petunias have moderate drought tolerance, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Fast Growth: Petunias grow quickly, which allows for rapid filling of garden spaces and containers.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Colouring Agent: The vibrant blossoms of the petunia can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics or artistic purposes.
- Photography Subject: Due to its striking color, the petunia can be an excellent subject for botanical photography and art.
- Educational Tool: Gardeners and teachers use petunias to educate people on plant growth, hybridization, and genetics.
- Composting Material: Spent petunia plants can be added to compost bins, where they decompose and enrich the soil.
- Garden Design: Petunias can be used in intricate garden designs because of their variety of colors, aiding in aesthetic landscaping.
- Floral Art: Petunia flowers can be incorporated in floral art, such as making pressed flower decorations or petal collages.
- Biodegradable Confetti: Dried petals of petunias can serve as an eco-friendly confetti alternative at celebrations.
- Memory or Vigil Ceremonies: Petunias can be planted in memory gardens or used in ceremonies to commemorate people or events.
- Aromatherapy: Though not commonly known for it, the subtle fragrance of the petunias can be used in creating a peaceful atmosphere in gardens or patios.
- Literary Inspiration: The beauty of petunias has been used as inspiration or a motif in poems, stories, and other literary works.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
Petunias are not traditionally used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
Petunias are not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Anger: Petunias, in a few cultures, are sometimes associated with feelings of anger and resentment, possibly due to the plant's ability to thrive in challenging conditions.
- Resentment: Similarly, petunias can represent a sentiment of resentment, where someone might give petunias to express dissatisfaction or displeasure.
- Desire: Petunias can also symbolize a desire or longing for someone's presence, representing a deep yearning and an emotional expression of wanting someone close.
- Soothing Presence: The color lavender, as seen in the 'Storm Lavender' variety, is typically associated with calmness and serenity, suggesting that this plant might also be seen as a symbol of a soothing presence and tranquility.
- Comfort: Due to its gentle hue, 'Storm Lavender' could symbolize comfort or the act of comforting someone, perhaps in times of stress or sorrow.

💧

Every few days

Water

☀️

10000 - 20000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Garden Petunias require consistent watering to keep the soil moist but not soggy, especially during dry periods. It's best to water them deeply once a week, providing about one to two inches of water each time. During hot weather, they may need watering twice a week. Ensure the water reaches the roots by applying it directly to the soil rather than overhead, which can encourage disease. Use a watering can or hose with a gentle nozzle to avoid disturbing the soil or damaging the plants.
Light
Garden Petunias thrive in full sun, which means they need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to perform best. Place them in a spot where they receive uninterrupted daylight to ensure abundant flowering and strong growth. While they can tolerate some partial shade, too much shade will result in fewer blooms and leggy plants.
Temperature
Garden Petunias prefer warm conditions and perform best in temperatures ranging from 60 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate a minimum temperature down to about 40 degrees Fahrenheit at night. However, frost or temperatures below this minimum can be harmful to the plants. During the heat of the summer, they can withstand higher daytime temperatures as long as they are not prolonged and the plants are adequately watered.
Pruning
Garden Petunias benefit from regular pruning to encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Pinch or cut back the stems by a few inches when the plants start to look leggy, usually mid-season. Deadheading, or removing spent flowers, should be done regularly to promote more flowers. The best time to prune and deadhead is in the morning or evening when the temperatures are cooler.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Petunias thrive in well-draining soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. A good soil mix for 'Storm Lavender' Petunias would be a combination of peat moss, perlite, and garden loam soil in equal parts. Adding a slow-release fertilizer to the mix could provide essential nutrients throughout the growing season.
Repotting
'Storm Lavender' Petunias should be repotted annually to replenish the soil and accommodate their growing root system. The best time to repot is in the spring before the onset of the growing season.
Humidity & Misting
Petunias, including the 'Storm Lavender' variety, prefer moderate humidity levels. They can tolerate some humidity variation but do not require high humidity environments, making them suitable for typical outdoor conditions.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, consistent watering, and well-draining soil.
- Outdoor
  Plant in well-draining soil, full sun, and water regularly.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Petunia × atkinsiana 'Storm Lavender', commonly known as the petunia, begins its life as a seed sowed in well-draining soil with access to ample sunlight. After germination, which takes 5-15 days, the seedling emerges with its cotyledons and then true leaves, developing a root system and foliage through the vegetative stage. The petunia then enters the flowering stage, where it produces vibrant lavender blooms that attract pollinators and may self-seed or require human intervention for propagation. Following the peak blooming period, the plant sets seeds, which can be collected before the flowers fade and the plant begins to wilt. As an annual, the petunia completes its life cycle within one growing season, dying off with the first frost, although in mild climates or indoor settings, it can sometimes behave as a perennial. When the plant's life ends, the collected seeds can be saved and replanted in the next season to continue the cycle.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- Petunia × atkinsiana 'Storm Lavender', commonly known as the Petunia, is typically propagated through seed, as this is the most popular method. To propagate Petunias successfully, the seeds should be sown in late winter to early spring, allowing them to grow and be ready for transplant after the danger of frost has passed. To do this, seeds are very lightly covered with soil or starter mix and kept at a temperature between 70°F to 75°F (21°C to 24°C) for optimal germination. Light is also necessary for the germination of Petunia seeds, which usually takes about 5 to 15 days. Once the seedlings develop their second set of true leaves, they can be transplanted into individual pots and gradually acclimatized to outdoor conditions before being planted out into the garden or into their final containers.