Hello,

Generally, gardeners choose to buy inexpensive petunias each spring over the effort of overwintering them.  You can, however, save money by bringing your petunia indoors over winter.

Here are two methods:

1)    Overwintering the plant---- Cut the petunias back to about 2 inches above the soil and plant them in pots before the first fall frost. Check them over carefully to make sure they aren’t infested with insects. If you find insects, treat the plants before bringing them indoors.

Water the plants thoroughly and place them in a cool but above freezing location. Look for a spot in your garage or basement where they’ll be out of the way. Check overwintering petunias every three to four weeks. If the soil has dried out, give them just enough water to moisten the soil. Otherwise, leave them undisturbed until spring when you can transplant them back outdoors.

2)    Overwintering with cuttings---- Take 2- to 3-inch cuttings before the first fall frost. Remove the lower leaves from the cutting and insert them in a glass of plain water. Do not put more than one cutting in a glass or they may become tangled.  After they form roots, insert them 1.5 to two inches into a pot with soil.

Good Luck!