Hummingbirds are some of the most beloved backyard birds. Their tiny size, incredible speed, and flashy iridescent colors make them a joy to watch. Because of their high metabolism, hummingbirds need to eat frequently to maintain their energy. They get most of their nutrition from drinking flower nectar and eating small insects. This means that planting flowers that attract hummingbirds to a yard or garden can provide them with a valuable food source.
Quick Answers
Mexican petunias are a great choice for attracting hummingbirds. Here are some quick answers about Mexican petunias and hummingbirds:
- Mexican petunias (also called Mexican heather) have tubular flowers that provide an excellent source of nectar for hummingbirds.
- The red, purple, pink, or white blooms of Mexican petunias attract a variety of hummingbird species.
- Mexican petunias bloom throughout the summer and into fall, providing a constant nectar source when other flowers have stopped blooming.
- Mexican petunias thrive in hot, sunny conditions that hummingbirds favor.
- The adaptability and long flowering period of Mexican petunias make them an ideal, low maintenance choice for attracting hummingbirds.
Do Hummingbirds Like Mexican Petunias?
Yes, hummingbirds are highly attracted to Mexican petunias. There are a couple key reasons why these colorful flowers appeal so much to hummingbirds:
- Tubular flower shape – The tubular or trumpet-shaped blooms of Mexican petunias are perfectly designed for hummingbird pollination. The narrow, cylindrical flower tubes provide easy access for the long bills of hummingbirds to reach the nectar inside.
- Bright colors – Hummingbirds are visually oriented and attracted to brightly colored red, orange, pink and purple flowers. The flowers of Mexican petunias come in colors like red, magenta, purple, white and pink which attract hummingbirds.
- Continuous blooms – Mexican petunias bloom repeatedly over a very long flowering period, from summer into fall. This provides a constant nectar source for hummingbirds through the seasons when other flowers have stopped blooming.
- High nectar content – The flowers of Mexican petunias produce a generous amount of sugary nectar which provides quick energy that hummingbirds depend on.
- Desirable habitat – Mexican petunias thrive in hot, sunny conditions that are preferred by hummingbirds. Planting them creates an ideal microhabitat that hummingbirds seek out.
Observations of Hummingbirds Visiting Mexican Petunias
In backyard observations, Mexican petunias are frequented by many hummingbird species across North America including:
- Ruby-throated Hummingbird
- Black-chinned Hummingbird
- Anna’s Hummingbird
- Allen’s Hummingbird
- Rufous Hummingbird
- Calliope Hummingbird
- Broad-tailed Hummingbird
The Ruby-throated Hummingbird in particular heavily relies on the nectar from Mexican petunias in many parts of its range. Mexican petunias have been observed to attract up to dozens of hummingbird visits per day during peak blooming periods.
Best Mexican Petunia Varieties for Hummingbirds
There are many varieties of Mexican petunias that all attract hummingbirds. Some of the best types to plant for hummingbirds include:
Purple Mexican Petunia Varieties
- Purple Wave – A very popular spreading variety with vibrant purple blooms from summer to frost.
- Velvet Rose – Dark purple flowers on compact, mounding plants.
- Summer Snow – Prolific purple and white bicolor blooms.
Pink Mexican Petunia Varieties
- Sophia Pink – Bright pink flowers on vigorous plants.
- Sophia White Pink – Eye-catching pink and white bicolor blooms.
- Madiera Deep Pink – Large, deep pink trumpet-shaped flowers.
Red Mexican Petunia Varieties
- Red Velour – Brilliant red flowers that attract hummingbirds.
- Fire Spinner – Dazzling red and yellow bicolor blooms.
- Red Star – Continuous red blooms throughout summer.
When to Plant Mexican Petunias
Mexican petunias should be planted outdoors after any danger of frost has passed in spring. This is generally after the last spring frost date for your growing zone. They can tolerate some cooler temperatures, but grow and bloom best in warmer weather.
Start Mexican petunia seeds indoors 5-7 weeks before your average last spring frost date. Or purchase young plants from a nursery and transplant them into your garden after the danger of frost has passed.
Mexican petunias will continue blooming profusely from summer all the way until the first hard frost kills the plants in late fall. In frost-free climates, they bloom year round.
Where to Plant Mexican Petunias
When siting Mexican petunias in your yard, choose a location with these conditions to create an optimal habitat for hummingbirds:
- Full Sun – Mexican petunias need a full sun location with at least 6 hours of direct sunlight per day. Morning sun is especially beneficial.
- Sheltered – Choose a spot protected from strong winds, which can damage the delicate flowers and impair hummingbird feeding.
- Near Nectar Plants – Group Mexican petunias with other hummingbird-attracting flowers to create a nectar-rich feeding habitat.
- Near Water Source– Hummingbirds dart to water frequently to bathe and drink. Site Mexican petunias near a garden fountain, mister or bird bath.
- Near Perches – Hummingbirds like to perch in between feedings. Provide small trees, tall shrubs or posts for them to rest on nearby.
Best Locations to Plant Mexican Petunias
- Beds along a patio, deck or porch
- Window boxes or hanging planters
- Borders along a walkway or driveway
- Around a garden water feature like a pond or fountain
- In containers on a sunny patio or balcony
How to Plant Mexican Petunias
Mexican petunias thrive in hot, dry conditions common to their native habitat. Provide the following care when planting Mexican petunias:
- Planting Beds – Prepare garden beds by turning over the soil and mixing in 1-2 inches of compost or other organic material to improve drainage.
- Container Gardens – Fill containers with a well-draining potting mix. Add lightweight amendments like perlite for better drainage.
- Sun Exposure – Ensure the planting site receives full sun, especially morning sunlight.
- Spacing – Space plants 12-18 inches apart to allow air circulation and light penetration.
- Settle Plants – Remove plants from containers, loosen roots and plant at the same level they grew in the pot.
- Water Well – Water thoroughly after planting and whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.
- Mulch – Apply a 2-3 inch mulch layer around plants to retain moisture and prevent weeds.
How to Care for Mexican Petunias
Mexican petunias are one of the easiest flowering plants to grow. They tolerate heat, drought, pests and require minimal care. Follow these tips for the best performance:
- Watering – Water whenever the soil feels dry. Established plants are drought tolerant but bloom best with regular watering. They tolerate some drying out between waterings.
- Fertilizer – Fertilize every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer or slow release granular fertilizer.
- Pruning – Prune back plants by 1/3 in late summer to encourage a flush of new blooms for fall. Remove spent flowers to promote continuous blooms.
- Hardiness – Mexican petunias are treated as annuals where they are not winter hardy. In zones 9-11 they may regrow as perennials from the roots.
- Maintenance – Other than watering and occasional fertilizing, Mexican petunias require minimal care to continue flowering. They have few pests or diseases.
Companion Plants for Mexican Petunias
Complement Mexican petunias with these other flowering plants that attract hummingbirds and create an eye-catching combination:
- Lantana
- Cardinal Flower
- Bee Balm
- Coral Honeysuckle
- Columbine
- Fuchsia
- Penstemon
- Petunia
- Sage
- Salvia
Grouping different plants with successive bloom periods provides ongoing nectar for hummingbirds spring through fall. Combine early bloomers like columbine with persistent bloomers like Mexican petunias.
Attracting Hummingbirds with Mexican Petunias
It’s easy to design a hummingbird haven using Mexican petunias as a focal point. Follow these tips:
- Plant in masses – Group at least 3-5 Mexican petunia plants together to attract hummingbirds to a concentrated nectar source.
- Include variety – Plant a mix of different Mexican petunia varieties like purple, red and pink.
- Provide vertical interest – Grow Mexican petunias in hanging baskets or tall containers at different levels to catch the eye.
- Use complementary colors – Combine with orange or yellow flowers like lantana for a bright, welcoming display.
- Location, location – Site them where you want to enjoy hummingbird activity and viewing, such as next to seating areas or porches.
- Provide perches – Hummingbirds feel safer feeding if they have high perches to use for resting between visits to flowers.
Ideal Garden Layout for Hummingbirds
Use this sample layout as a template for creating a hummingbird paradise:
Key Elements:
- Planted beds with flowers in a color palette attractive to hummingbirds – red, orange, pink, purple
- Birdbath or garden water feature
- Hanging planters at varying heights
- Trees, tall shrubs or posts for bird perches
- Porch, patio or seating area for bird viewing
Sample Layout:
| Birdbath surrounded by planted beds of Mexican petunias, lantana, salvia | Trees/tall shrubs for perching |
| Porch with hanging planters at different levels containing petunias and fuchsia | Planted beds with cardinal flower, bee balm, columbine |
FAQs About Mexican Petunias for Hummingbirds
What colors of Mexican petunias do hummingbirds like best?
Hummingbirds are most attracted to red and orange flowers followed by pink or purple. Red Mexican petunia varieties seem to draw in the most hummingbirds but they will also feed readily from pink, purple and white varieties.
How often do Mexican petunias need to be watered?
On average, Mexican petunias need to be watered about 1-2 times per week. Water whenever the soil feels dry down to a depth of 1 inch. They tolerate some drying between waterings but bloom best when given a regular supply of water.
Should Mexican petunias be deadheaded?
Yes, it helps to deadhead (remove) any spent or dying flowers from Mexican petunias. This encourages the plants to continuously produce new blooms into fall. Snip off old flowers just above a set of healthy leaves or buds.
How much sunlight do Mexican petunias need?
Mexican petunias require full sun – at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Morning sunlight is especially beneficial. They will tolerate partial sun but produce fewer blooms without adequate sunlight.
Are Mexican petunias perennials?
Mexican petunias are perennials only in frost-free climates. In zones 9-11, established plants may return each spring. Everywhere else they are grown as annuals and replanted each year.
Do Mexican petunias spread or self-seed?
Mexican petunias are not aggressive spreaders. The spreading varieties tend to expand in a contained clump. They do not typically self-seed. Any new seedlings that do sprout are easily identified and can be removed.
Conclusion
Mexican petunias are an ideal addition to any yard or garden looking to attract hummingbirds. Their bright colors, tubular flowers with abundant nectar, and incredible heat tolerance make them perfectly suited to providing the food source hummingbirds rely on. Planting Mexican petunias ensures hummingbirds will have a dependable nectar supply from summer through fall. Designing areas with Mexican petunias, water sources and perches will create a charming space to enjoy the beauty and activity of hummingbirds up close.
