Troubleshooting

Plants That Struggle in Rain (And What to Use Instead)

Mario Mirelez

Sales Director & Design Expert · April 28, 2026

Here’s the part people don’t expect: most plants don’t fail in the rain. They just stop looking good.

Why These Plants Struggle

Rain does two things:

✓ Damages blooms
✓ Keeps surfaces wet too long

So instead of dying — they slowly fall apart.

Plants That Commonly Struggle

Petunias

✓ Blooms get beat up easily
✓ Stay wet → rot and breakdown

Geraniums (Zonal)

✓ Sensitive to prolonged moisture
✓ Leaves and flowers decline quickly

Calibrachoa

✓ Very sensitive roots
✓ Wet soil = rapid decline

Vinca

✓ Loves heat and dryness
✓ Wet conditions can cause sudden collapse

Bacopa

✓ Struggles with excess moisture
✓ Tends to yellow and thin out

Dahlias

✓ Slowed growth in wet soil
✓ Lose momentum quickly

Important Reality

It’s not always the plant dying. It’s the presentation breaking down. And that’s what people notice.

Better Alternatives to Consider

If rain is a concern, swap in:

✓ SunPatiens instead of impatiens or petunias
✓ Coleus for color without blooms
✓ Angelonia for upright structure

Breeding Has Helped — But Hasn’t Solved Everything

The industry knows this is an issue. Recent breeding improvements include:

✓ SuperCal from Sakata Seed — calibrachoa with much better rain tolerance
✓ Durabloom petunias, highlighted in GrowerTalks for improved durability

These are designed for better bloom durability and weather tolerance. But even with better genetics: heavy rain still takes a toll on flowers.

The Real Takeaway

Some plants don’t die from rain — they just stop looking like you want them to. And that’s what you should plan for.

Hoosier Tip

Don’t mistake a wet week for a dead plant. Wait it out, deadhead the spent blooms, and most of the plants on this list will come back — they just won’t be the headline of the planter while it’s raining.

Reference: Sakata Seed · Ball Seed · PanAmerican Seed grower guides · GrowerTalks · Purdue University Extension · Michigan State University Extension — Indiana gardening