Petunias are a popular annual flower grown in pots and containers across the U.S. In this guide, we’ll cover everything you need to know about Petunia flower meaning, symbolism, and cultural significance over time.
The symbolic meaning of petunia flowers has evolved throughout time from associations with anger and resentment to the more modern symbolism of desire, hope, and calmness.
Petunia is a genus of plants in the Solanaceae family. There are approximately 35 species of petunia plants. The garden petunia (Petunia x atkinsiana) is an ornamental plant used as bedding plants or to fill window boxes and hanging baskets.
Petunias produce papery trumpet-shaped blooms ranging in color from white, pink, purple, and red to striped or spotted hybrids. Many petunias have a contrasting throat that may be either lighter or darker than the petal color.
Petunias are divided into categories based on their growth habit and flower size. These include:
- Grandiflora
- Multiflora
- Milliflora
- Spreading (Wave)