Do Hummingbirds Like Petunias?

Petunias: do hummingbirds like them? If you’re planning to grow flowers in your yard to entice more hummingbirds, you might be asking yourself this.

Petunias are a South American native flower that are perfect for beginning gardeners because they are simple to grow and inexpensive.

Petunias may possibly have been on some lists of the best flowers to plant to draw hummingbirds.

I wrote this article to assist you in determining whether it is worthwhile to plant petunias in your yard to entice hummingbirds. Additionally, you’ll discover when, where, and how to grow petunias to draw hummingbirds.

All right? So let’s get started.

Do hummingbirds like petunias?

Petunias do appeal to hummingbirds. Hummingbirds will visit your yard in the spring and summer if petunias are regularly planted there. Hummingbirds can get nectar from petunias. Hummingbirds get their energy from flower nectar, which they use to hunt for insects all day.

Many of my readers have mentioned that the petunias seem to be more appealing to the hummingbirds than the hummingbird feeders.

Why do hummingbird like petunias?

Petunias appeal to hummingbirds because of their shape, fragrance, color, and nectar.

Petunias deliberately strive to draw hummingbirds because they are pollinators and essential to the survival of the flower species. Let’s examine the various ways that petunias entice hummingbirds.

Petunia Shape

Petunias feature broad petals with a trumpet-shaped opening in the middle. Hummingbirds are attracted to this form. They will slurp the nectar from the center with their lengthy tongues.

Petunia Scent

Petunia flowers have a mildly sweet aroma that isn’t overpowering. Since hummingbirds are not drawn to perfumed flowers, this is perfect for them.

It’s a fairly shrewd survival tactic. Strong-smelling flowers will draw other pollinators like bees and butterflies. The nectar in the blooms will face more competition as a result.

Petunia Color

There are many different colors available for petunias, including white, yellow, pink, purple, red, and blue.

Red flowers are the main draw for hummingbirds. They also enjoy pink, orange, purple, and blue, though. Since they are the ones that produce the most nectar, they choose these flowers the most.

Petunia nectar

A sweet nectar is produced by petunias. Hummingbirds prefer concentrates with around 20% sugar content, which is exactly what is in it.

A petunia plant will produce a number of flowers in a small area, giving a hummingbird something to eat. Bees aren’t particularly drawn to petunias because their nectar is fairly weak in comparison to other plants’ nectar.

Other nutrients can be found in petunia nectar. It has anti-microbial qualities and is a source of protein. These can support hummingbird health and disease prevention.

How to grow Petunias for Hummingbirds

You can start growing petunias in your yard to draw hummingbirds in one of three methods. Let’s examine which choice is the best fit for you.

1. Petunias from Seeds

You’ll need to have an abundance of the following to produce petunia plants from seed:

sunflower seeds
compost
grain trays

The petunia seeds must be planted about 10 weeks before you want to plant them in your yard.

Plant seeds in January if you want your petunias to be ready for the spring hummingbird season.

Petunia seeds need to be kept in a warm area (70–80 degrees Fahrenheit) with plenty of sunlight.

Seven to ten days after planting, petunia seeds should start to sprout.

The seedlings can be transplanted into individual plant pots after they have three leaves. Around three seedlings can fit in a plant container.

You can start leaving the petunias outside once they are around two months old. Keep them in direct sunlight all day, then bring them inside at night.

You can plant petunia plants in your yard once the last of the frost has passed. They’ll be prepared in time for the arrival of the hummingbirds.

2. Plug Petunia plants

You could wish to purchase your petunias already grown if you haven’t had much luck starting plants from seeds.

Plugs are petunias that have been produced from seeds and are prepared for planting.

If you didn’t sow seeds early enough to be prepared for hummingbird season, this is a fantastic alternative.

Simply remove the petunia plugs from their packaging and plant them in hanging baskets or your yard.

Most plant nurseries and stores with a gardening section sell petunia plugs, or seedlings that are ready to be planted. Even petunia plugs are available from internet plant nurseries.

3. Petunias from cuttings

Do you know anyone who has petunias in their yard that hummingbirds frequent?

Well, by taking a cutting, you can duplicate their success. Petunias raised from a cutting will be an identical replica of the ones you know attract hummingbirds.

What you’ll need to grow a petunia cutting is:

Soil
a little planter
powdered root hormones

Take a clipping from the petunia plant’s top; the stem should be pliable and soft.

Sprinkle root hormone on the stem’s cut side.

Make a small hole to insert the cutting into and then fill the plant container with soil. After that, replace the soil to maintain the cutting’s position.

Keep your cutting in a cool, dark location to encourage the development of the roots.

Your petunia cutting should have developed enough roots after three to four weeks to be planted in your own yard.

FOR LATER PIN

When to plant petunias for hummingbirds

Petunias prefer warm weather, so plant them in the spring once the risk of frost has passed.

When you start putting out your hummingbird feeders is the ideal time to plant petunias in your yard. Typically, this will occur in the spring or early summer.

Before the hummingbirds come, you want the petunias to be accessible. It’s typically too late to plant petunias once the hummingbirds have arrived. If you have readily available nectar sources, you’ll draw them quickly.

Where to plant petunias for hummingbirds

Why do hummingbird like petunias?

Petunias need to be planted in a warm, sunny location to grow well. Hummingbirds love to feed in direct sunshine, which is good news.

Petunias can be planted in containers or along your yard’s border because they don’t require much room.

Petunias can tolerate spots with some light shade. This implies that if you want to get a better view of your hummingbirds while they feed, cascading petunias are perfect to plant in hanging baskets.

What states do petunias grow best?

Petunias can grow everywhere in the United States, making them perfect for luring migrating hummingbirds.

In any state, petunias will be in flower during the spring hummingbird season.

You will need to plant your petunias every year if you reside in a mid- or northern-tier state. This is due to petunias’ poor performance in cold climates.

You won’t need to replant your petunias every year if you reside in a southern state with milder temperatures.

Do hummingbirds like mini petunias?

Calibrachoa is often referred to as mini petunias. They may even be referred to as “million bells,” as well. Despite being called “little petunias,” calibrachoa are a completely distinct species.

They are given this moniker because, while having a smaller blossom, they resemble petunias.

Hummingbirds are drawn to the numerous nectar-rich blossoms on mini petunias.

Hummingbirds will flock to your yard in the spring and summer if you plant red calibrachoa in a hanging basket.

What petunias do hummingbird like best?

– Hang red ribbons on your feeders, bushes and trees.Grasp a clipping from the petunia plant’s top; the stem should be supple and flexible.

To apply root hormone powder, dip the cut side of the stem.

Make a small hole to insert the cutting into the plant pot after adding dirt to it. After that, replace the dirt to keep the cutting in place.

Are hummingbirds attracted to purple petunias?

To allow the roots to form, keep the cutting in a cool, dark location.

Your petunia cutting ought to have developed sufficient roots after three to four weeks so that you can plant them in your own yard.

RETAIL PINNING

Do hummingbirds like hybrid petunias?

When the risk of frost has passed in the spring, plant petunias because they don’t thrive in cold temperatures.

Petunias grow best in your yard when they are planted at the same time as your hummingbird feeders, which is around this time of year. Typically, this occurs in the spring or the first part of the summer.

Before the hummingbirds come, you want to make sure the petunias are available. Petunias planted after the hummingbirds have arrived are typically too late. If you have accessible nectar sources, you can draw them effortlessly.

Final thoughts

Petunias require warm, sunny conditions to grow well, so plant them there. Hummingbirds enjoy feeding in full sunshine, which is good news.

Petunias don’t require a lot of room, so you may plant them in your yard’s borders or in pots.

Light shade is not a problem for petunias. In order to get a better view of your hummingbirds while they are feeding, cascading petunias are perfect to plant in hanging baskets.

Petunias are perfect for luring migrating hummingbirds because they thrive in all 50 states of the USA.

Any state’s spring hummingbird season will feature blooming petunias.

FAQ

What flower attracts hummingbirds the most?

You must replant your petunias every year if you live in a mid- or northern state. Due to their poor performance in cold climates, petunias, this is.

What to put out to attract hummingbirds?

Petunias don’t require replanting every year if you reside in a warmer southern state.

What color flower attracts hummingbirds best?

Calibrachoa can also be known as mini petunias. The term “million bells” may even be used to describe them. Calcachoa are a completely distinct species, although going by the moniker “little petunias.”