Black flowers! Yes, they exist and look intoxicatingly beautiful. Pretty uncommon, but there are a few plants that produce jet black flowers and the Black Magic Petunia is one of them. This unique hybrid is one of the darkest among the other black petunias. A large number of small, green, and oval-shaped leaves grow to form a compact spreading shrub, usually around 1 foot in height.
The shrub blooms with numerous small black flowers throughout the spring and summer. Make beautiful pots, containers, and hanging baskets with these Petunias. Or, combine with the other flowering plants or petunias to create head-turning flower pots, beds, and patios. Interesting?
Let us know more about the unique Goth beauties, the Petunia ‘Black Magic’ along with its care and propagation.
Black Magic Petunia Classification
Family: Solanaceae
Genus: Petunia
Botanical Name: Petunia x hybrida.
Genus Petunia
Petunia comprises about 20 flowering plant species. These plants are native to South America. These are extensively hybridized to form a number of different species. You can see these hybrids easily available in gardens and nurseries.
The cultivated varieties of this genus have many different names associated with them in horticulture. These categories include Grandiflora, Multiflora, the spreaders (Wave), Cascadia, Surfinia, and Supertunia.
Black Magic Petunia Plant Features
- The plant forms a little compact growing shrub with controlled and mounded trailing habit.
- The height of a mature plant ranges between 10 to 16 inches (25-41cm).
- Each mature little shrub spreads in a range of about 16 to 20 inches (41-51 cm).
Leaves
- The plant body consists of a large number of oval-shaped leaves.
- Each mature leaf is around 3 inches long and about 1 inch wide.
Flowers
- The black flowers are about 2 to 3 inches in size.
- Each flower is stable, non-striping, and scentless.
- The plant blooms throughout the warm days; starting from spring up till the mid of fall.
Toxicity
According to ASPCA, all the petunia plants are not toxic for both plants and humans. However, there is a list of plants closely resembling plants that are mildly and even severely toxic. Thus, to be on the safer side it is always better to avoid letting the kids and pets mingle with the plants.
Black Magic Petunia Care
Just like other petunias, black magic is a relatively low-maintenance plant. Let us have a look at the basic requirements of the plant.
Water Requirement
These plants usually like to be in most but non-soggy soils. The spreading and container petunias usually require more water as compared to others. Water the plant according to the temperature and atmosphere of your zone. In summers, about one or two generous waterings generally seem to be enough. While in winter, it is better to water mildly on the colder days.
Watering is an important part of plant care. It is important to keep an eye on the shrub, especially at the beginning of getting the plant. This will help you to manage the watering schedule.
Sunlight Requirements
These mysterious blooms need to be in full sun for at least 6 hours and partial sun for about 4 hours. Again keep an eye on the plant and manage the requirements accordingly.
Browning of leaf-edges and wilting leaves are the first signs of overheating. Relocate the plant into a spot with the milder sun, as soon as possible.
Soil Requirements
The common natural soil of your growing zone goes pretty well with the plant. Packed houseplant mixes are also a good option.
Humidity Requirements
The Black magic Petunias generally like to be in low-humidity. Thus, no extra efforts are required to maintain humidity levels.
Temperature Requirements
These plants are generally hardy towards the temperatures warmer temperatures. The ideal temperature range for the day is around 18 to 24 °C (65 to 76 °F). While at night, a range of 12 to 16 °C (53 to 61 °F) stands in the optimal levels.
However, these plants are not frosted hardy. Thus, people in cooler zones especially need to relocate to warmer places before the fall.
Fertilizer Requirements
These bloomers need additional nutrition to maintain their health. You can use any suitable houseplant fertilizer according to the instructions on the pack. On warm days, once or twice a month is a suitable frequency. On the other hand, the plants don’t show much appreciation for fertilizer after the fall.
You can also use a slow-release fertilizer about thrice a year, focusing on spring and summer.
Pot Requirement
They grow pretty well in indoor pots, containers, and hanging baskets. Moreover, they form beautiful combinations with other flowers in your patios.
Pruning Requirement
It is better to remove unhealthy leaves and dead flowers. This will help enhance plant growth. Additionally, it will conserve the energy of the plant.
Growth Zone
The plants are hardy in USDA zones 9 to 11.
Black Magic Petunia Propagation
You can easily propagate the plant by stem-tip cuttings. You can use these cuttings to get new plants in the same spring season. Alternatively, you can root the petunias in the fall and save them for the next spring.
These are hybrid plant varieties and may not become true to the seeds. Thus, using the propagation of the seed is not much preferable.
Method
If you are saving them for next season, make sure you take the cuttings before the frost. The end of august is a suitable time for this.
- Cut stem-tip cuttings of5 to 6 inches in length. Remove the lower leaves, keeping at least 2 at the top.
- Dip the base of the stem in the rooting hormone and shed the excess. This will help to enhance the growth process. In case you don’t have it around, you can even skip this step.
- Fill the container with sand, peat moss, and plant food in equal proportions. Mist the mixture to make it moist.
- Use your finger or pencil to make a 3 inches deep pit in the growing medium. Plant the stem cuttings by keeping a distance of about 2 to 5 inches. Finally, firm the soil around.
- Now, place the container in some cool place with indirect light or shade. You can also use a propagation container and use it keeping the upper openings open.
Growth Timeline
Day 1 to Day 30:
- In warmer zones, you need to mist the setup after about 2 weeks of initial planting. This helps to avoid drying. After about 3 the baby plants have developed a baby root system. Shoot development is also pretty prominent by the end of the first month.
Day 30 onwards:
- By this stage, you see plenty of new shoots and new leaves growing up prominently. Just take the baby plant along with the soil clump and place it in the middle of the growing medium in the new pot.
- Let these new baby plants grow in artificial light at some slightly warm (not freezing) indoor place.
- The plants will be ready to bloom as soon as the spring arises.
Just follow the Care of the plant mentioned in the previous section and enjoy the intoxicating dark blooms.
Summary
The Black Magic Petunia is a small trailing shrub with a mounded growth habit. The plant blooms with beautiful small black flowers, which truly make it look one of its kind. These plants need at least 6 hours of sun, thorough watering, warm temperature, and low humidity. The little black shrubs make perfect containers and hanging baskets. Moreover, they are a nice choice to decorate the patios with contrasting flowering plants.
