22 Petunia Companion Plants for Perfect Garden Combinations
From daisies to grasses, discover what to plant with petunias in your garden
Petunias are a garden classic, with colorful flowers that bloom all season long. But petunias don't have to fly solo in your garden or containers. Companion planting allows you to create stunning petunia combinations that are both appealing and beneficial for the plants.
Let's explore 22 excellent petunia companion plants. Mix and match from this list to design eye-catching potted arrangements, window boxes, hanging baskets or flower beds.
1. VerbenaSuperbena® Red (Verbena hybrid) Verbena's clusters of vivid blooms complement petunias beautifully. Plus, verbena attracts butterflies and other beneficial pollinators to your garden. Hardy in zones 8-11, part sun to sun, 6-12" tall, deer resistant Pairs best with Supertunia®, Supertunia Vista® and Supertunia Mini Vista®. |
2. CalibrachoaSuperbells® Lemon Slice® (Calibrachoa hybrid) With their prolific blooms, these "mini petunias" pair wonderfully with their larger cousins. Calibrachoa comes in a rainbow of colors too. Hardy in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 6-12" tall Pairs best with Supertunia® (in containers only). |
3. Sweet AlyssumWhite Knight® (Lobularia hybrid) The trailing habit and sweet fragrance of alyssum make it a perfect companion for petunias. It also brings in helpful insects. Hardy in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 8-12" tall Pairs best with Supertunia Vista® and Supertunia Mini Vista®. |
4. LobeliaLaguna® Sky Blue (Lobelia erinus) A cascade of lovely lobelia overflowing from a hanging basket alongside petunias makes a stunning display. Lobelia blooms in shades of blue, purple, and white. Hardy in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 6-12" tall Pairs best with Supertunia Mini Vista®. |
5. EuphorbiaDiamond Frost® (Euphorbia hybrid) The light, airy structure of euphorbia balances the boldness of petunias. Use them to provide a great contrast in form and texture. The classic white flowers look great when paired with colored petunias. Hardy in zones 10-11, part sun to sun, 12-18" tall, deer resistant Pairs best with Supertunia Vista®. |
6. FlossflowerArtist® Blue (Ageratum hybrid) Ageratum’s fluffy blue or white flowers complement petunias' bold trumpet shapes. And ageratum helps deter deer and other critters from munching on plants. Hardy in zones 9-10, part sun to sun, 8-12" tall
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7. GeraniumsBoldly® Dark Red (Pelargonium interspecific) Geraniums make great companion plants for petunias, offering a delightful mix of bright, bold colors and forms. As a bonus, they are heat tolerant and bloom all summer long. Hardy in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 10-12" tall |
8. SalviaRockin'® Fuchsia (Salvia hybrid) Spiky salvias with their bee-attracting blooms pop nicely against mounded petunias. Salvias come in reds, purples, pinks, whites and more. Hardy in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 24-36" tall, deer resistant Rockin'® salvias pair best with Supertunia Vista®. Unplugged® salvias pair best with Supertunia® and Supertunia Mini Vista®. |
9. ColeusColorBlaze® Chocolate Drop (Coleus scutellarioides) Coleus is all about the fabulous, colorful foliage, which makes a lively contrast next to brightly blooming petunias. Hardy in zones 10-11, sun or shade, 18-24" tall, deer resistant ColorBlaze® Drop varieties of coleus pair best with Supertunia Vista®. ColorBlaze® coleus upright varieties pair best with standard Supertunia®. ColorBlaze® Royale varieties of coleus pair best with Supertunia Mini Vista®.
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10. LantanaLuscious® Citrus Blend™ (Lantana camara) Lantana's flower clusters attract butterflies and pair nicely with petunias. They bloom in oranges, reds, yellows, pinks, purples and more. Hardy in zones 9-11, sun, 20-30" tall, deer resistant Pairs best with standard Supertunia®. |
11. Marguerite DaisyGolden Butterfly® (Argyranthemum frutescens) These cheerful flowers come in shades of white or yellow with bright yellow centers that pop against petunias. Try combining taller, upright Marguerite daisies with trailing petunia varieties in containers. Hardy in zones 10-11, part sun to sun, 18-36" tall |
12. Purple Fountain GrassGraceful Grasses® Purple Fountain Grass (Pennisetum setaceum 'Rubrum') The burgundy foliage and feathery plumes of purple fountain grass offer a fantastic color and texture contrast to petunias. This stand-out combination will enhance the appeal and energy of your garden. Hardy in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 30-36" tall Annual fountain grass pairs best with standard Supertunia®. |
13. BacopaSnowstorm® Giant Snowflake® (Sutera cordata) The trailing habit of bacopa makes it a perfect filler plant alongside petunias. Its tiny flowers bloom in white, pink or blue. Hardy in zones 9-11, part sun to sun, 4-8" tall
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14. NemesiaAromance® Pink (Nemesia fruticans) Nemesia is a cold-tolerant plant that offers clusters of petite blooms in colors like white, yellow, orange, pink and red. Use them to extend the season before or after your petunias flower. Hardy in zones 10-11, part sun to sun, 10-14" tall Pairs best with Supertunia Mini Vista®. |
15. Summer SnapdragonAngelface® Super Blue (Angelonia hybrid) Often called "summer snapdragon," angelonia produces spikes of flowers that gracefully contrast against mounded petunias. Angelonia blooms in shades of purple, pink, white, and blue. Hardy in zones 10-11, sun, 18-30" tall, deer resistant Angelface® Super varieties pair best with Supertunia Vista®. Angelface® Cascade varieties pair best with Supertunia Mini Vista. |
16. Fan FlowerWhirlwind® Blue (Scaevola aemula) These plants produce dozens of petite blooms along their fan-shaped branches. The flowers come in light blues, whites and pinks that complement petunias wonderfully. Hardy in zones 10-11, sun, 8-14" tall Pairs best with standard Supertunia® and Supertunia Mini Vista®. |
17. BidensGoldilocks Rocks® (Bidens ferulifolia) Bidens have lovely yellow, orange or white daisy-like blooms that complement petunias' colors and form. Bidens is also drought tolerant once established. Hardy in zones 9-11, sun, 8-14" tall
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18. ConeflowerSummersong™ Firefinch™ (Echinacea hybrid) As a perennial favorite, sturdy and vibrant coneflowers bring the charm of wildflowers, which is a striking contrast to petunias. Plus, coneflowers are excellent at attracting pollinators. Hardy in zones 4-8, part sun to sun, 12-16" tall, deer resistant |
19. Creeping JennyProven Accents® Goldilocks (Lysimachia nummularia) Trailing creeping jenny is ideal for accenting petunias in containers. Its chartreuse foliage provides a fun pop of color. Hardy in zones 3-10, part sun to sun, 2-4" tall, deer resistant |
20. WormwoodProven Accents® Silver Bullet® (Artemisia stelleriana) Known for its beautiful silvery-green foliage, wormwood is a fantastic accent alongside petunias. In addition, its strong scent deters pests, making it a practical addition to your garden. Hardy in zones 5-9, sun, 6-10" tall, deer and rabbit resistant |
21. Pinks'Paint the Town Magenta' (Dianthus hybrid) Low-growing dianthus features fabulous flowers in pinks, reds, and purples. Pair them with petunias as edging along sunny borders and pathways. Hardy in zones 4-9, part sun to sun, 6-8" tall |
22. Butterfly FlowerStratosphere™ White (Gaura lindheimeri) Gorgeous gauras produce airy wands of white, pink, or red flowers that provide great vertical contrast next to low-growing petunias. Hardy in zones 6-10, part sun to sun, 12-24" tall |
Let your creativity run wild combining petunias with any of these 22 companion plants for stunning, lively garden displays. Happy gardening!
Petunia Combination Ideas
Here are container recipes for our most popular petunias:
See all petunia container combinations
What can you not plant with petunias?
For best results, plant petunias with companions that have similar sunlight, water, and soil needs. Petunias thrive in full sun and well-drained soil with consistent water. Avoid pairing them with plants that have vastly different growing needs.
For example, shade-loving plants like impatiens and begonias will languish in the full sun needed for petunias. On the other hand, cacti, succulents, and similar dry-climate plants may get too much water when grown alongside thirsty petunias.
What about vegetables?
Petunias make great companion plants for the veggie garden. Their brightly colored blooms attract pollinating bees and other beneficial insects, and may even repel some unwanted ones! They also act as living mulch to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
Some specific fruits and vegetables that pair well with petunias include:
- Tomatoes
- Peppers
- Strawberries
- Herbs like basil
Want to learn more?
5 Tips for Choosing Container Companions