Overwintering guide
How to overwinter petunia 'wave purple'
Winter watering
Cut watering right back — petunia 'wave purple' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
The mistake that kills petunia 'wave purple' in winter
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and petunia 'wave purple' rots from the base.
More petunia 'wave purple' care
Overwintering petunia 'wave purple' — FAQ
Does petunia 'wave purple' need to come indoors for winter?
Petunia 'Wave Purple' is hardy to roughly USDA zone 10 — winter lows around -1°C. That means it will not survive frost and needs to come inside. Petunia 'Wave Purple' is frost-tender, so overwintering means bringing it inside and letting it rest rather than pushing it to grow. Move it indoors well before the first frost, give it the brightest spot you have (light levels indoors drop sharply in winter), and keep it away from both cold window glass and hot radiators — the swing between the two does more damage than the cold itself.
When should I move petunia 'wave purple' for winter?
Bring indoors when nights start dropping below about 10°C, ahead of the first frost.
How often should I water petunia 'wave purple' in winter?
Cut watering right back — petunia 'wave purple' uses far less while growth slows, and cold, wet compost is the usual cause of winter root rot. Stop feeding until spring.
What kills petunia 'wave purple' over winter?
Watering on the same schedule as summer. In winter that keeps the roots sodden while the plant is barely drinking, and petunia 'wave purple' rots from the base.