calibrachoa flower

Calibrachoa flowers, also known as Million Bells and Mini-Petunias, produce a fanfare of color day in and day out. They are self cleaning and do not require deadheading.

Like other members of the petunia family, calibrachoa thrives in full sun. They grow well in pots and hanging baskets with well-draining soil.

Planting Instructions

Calibrachoa, also known as million bells, are fast-growing plants that offer bright color from spring through summer. They are a good choice for planting in the ground or in containers. However, if you are growing these plants from cuttings you may want to overwinter them indoors before returning them to the garden in the spring. This is particularly an option in cooler climates where frost is a possibility. To do this simply grow the plant in a pot and move it inside when temperatures drop to a point where root growth stops, usually when the flowers begin to fade. This process is known as hardening off.

When growing calibrachoa in the ground, choose a sunny location with rich, well-draining soil. A mix of potting soil and perlite or sand is ideal, although any type of multi-purpose compost will work too. It’s important to avoid using any soil additives that are designed to retain moisture as these can lead to soil rot. Adding a slow-release fertilizer to the planting medium at the time of planting can help keep the plants healthy.

If growing the plant in containers, opt for a large container with crocks or a hanging basket that is 12 to 14 inches wide. Plant three to four calibrachoas in each basket. Plant them in a rich potting soil that has been mixed with a slow-release fertilizer, such as Osmocote (r).

Million bells need to be watered regularly but they do not like soggy conditions. Water the plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. In hot weather this could be as often as once a day. Make sure the soil is drained thoroughly to prevent root rot. It is best to water the plants in the morning, as this gives them adequate time to dry out before nightfall.

As these plants are heavy feeders you’ll need to fertilize them regularly throughout the season. Ideally, a liquid fertiliser that is high in nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium will be used. We recommend our Plantura Hydrangea food, as this is a suitable choice for these plants and will provide the nutrients they need to produce many blooms.

Landscaping Tips

The bright flowers of calibrachoa plants add instant color to the garden. The fast-growing trailing annuals are suitable for most areas of the home landscape, especially if provided with good growing conditions. Also known as million bells or mini petunias, calibrachoas look lovely in containers and hanging baskets, but they are equally at home filling out beds and rock gardens. They work well in mixed plantings with other flowering annuals and perennials.

The flowers of the ‘Cabaret Pink’ and ‘Cabaret Purple Glow’ cultivars produce loads of vibrant blooms on trailing stems up to 12 inches long, but this plant is available in many other colors. Calibrachoa is also a great choice for bedding, in window boxes, or as an edging for the front of the garden. It also grows well in large planters and urn-shaped containers.

Plant calibrachoa in full sun for the best results. Amend heavy clay soil with compost or a light planting mix before you plant, or add a slow-release fertilizer at the time of planting. Water well after planting, but be sure to allow the soil to dry out between waterings. This prevents the growth of fungus, which can overtake a calibrachoa plant and kill it.

Watering regularly is key to keeping calibrachoa healthy. But this plant doesn’t like to be overwatered, and the soil should drain easily – don’t let it get soggy. If your calibrachoa starts to wilt, try adding more light to the area and feeding it. Wilting may be a sign of root rot, in which case the plant should be removed and composted.

A healthy, mature calibrachoa plant is resistant to disease and insects. It is also highly drought-tolerant, and can tolerate very hot weather and dry soils. However, the plant is susceptible to aphids and caterpillars. If aphids are a problem, spray the plants with a drench of insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Since calibrachoa is a hybrid, it cannot be grown from seed. But you can propagate it by cuttings from existing plants if needed. Trim a healthy, mature stem with no blooms and repot it in a well-draining potting mix. Use a rooting hormone to improve the odds of success, and keep the soil moist but not wet.

Companion Plants

A low-maintenance powerhouse of color, calibrachoa flowers look like tiny petunias and come in a rainbow of colors. The trailing annual flowers are a perfect choice for containers, hanging baskets and garden beds in full sun and well-draining soil. They are often used as a filler in the popular “thriller, filler and spiller” planting scheme of container gardens. They work especially well with the reliable plants such as purple fountain grass, african daisies, geraniums and marigolds that act as thrillers, and the trailing plants such as coral bells, lantana, verbena and fan flowers.

Calibrachoa is susceptible to several diseases and pests, but careful watering, proper spacing and planting in favorable conditions can reduce the risk. Overwatering can lead to root rot, and planting in poorly draining soil can quickly overwhelm the plant with Phytophthora species that can cause disease and death. Watch for spider mites and aphids, and be sure to regularly wash the foliage with a homemade insecticidal soap when infestations occur. The use of mulch can help prevent moisture stress and improve the condition of the soil.

Add a slow-release fertilizer to the soil when planting calibrachoas, and apply a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks during the growing season. This will help to promote continuous blooming. Towards the end of the summer, a light application of fertilizer may encourage late flowering.

Aside from regular feeding, calibrationchoa flowers are considered self cleaning and do not need deadheading to keep them in flower. However, it is a good idea to pinch back tips occasionally to encourage branching and more flowers to form.

A versatile flower, calibrachoas can be planted alone or in combination with many different plants. They make excellent filler for containers and hanging baskets, and can also be planted in the garden as part of a border or mixed into other annuals such as dianthus or zinnias to provide a splash of color. They are also attractive to pollinators, making them a beneficial addition to a wildflower mix. In milder climates, they can be grown as a perennial. However, they are more commonly grown as an annual.

Pruning

Calibrachoa flowers are self-cleaning, which means they naturally remove faded blooms and encourage new ones to form. However, it is also beneficial to regularly prune back leggy stems, which can be done throughout the growing season to promote more compact growth. This is also important for removing diseased or insect-infested parts of the plant that are unable to produce flowers. This can be done with a pair of scissors or shears, and should be done during the cool part of the day to avoid excessive stress on the plant.

A good potting soil with high organic content is best for growing calibrachoas. This is especially true if you are planting them in containers, hanging baskets, or window boxes. They do not like soggy soil, which can cause root rot, so make sure to use a well-draining mix with plenty of organic matter, such as compost or vermiculite. A general-purpose fertilizer with equal amounts of nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium should be added to the potting soil at the time of planting to provide the plants with the nutrients they need to grow. You can also add slow-release granules or tablets at the time of planting to help the plants feed throughout the growing season.

It is important to water the plants regularly during the growing season to keep the soil moist, but not overwatered. This is especially important if you are using a smaller container or hanging basket because the plants tend to dry out quickly. This is why it is important to choose a pot with a crock at the bottom for draining excess water. You can also hang the pot on ‘pot feet’ or add drainage holes to ensure that any excess water will not sit in the bottom of the pot, which could lead to root rot. It is also a good idea to fertilize the plants with a water-soluble plant food every other week throughout the summer to encourage heavy flower production.

Although calibrachoa is a perennial in zones 9-11, it is typically grown as an annual in cold climates and as a winter annual in milder areas. If you are trying to overwinter the plants, bring them inside before the first frost and place them in a sunny room, where they can receive 6-8 hours of sunlight per day. Keep the potting soil moist but not soggy, prune the plants to reduce the size, and fertilize with a general-purpose plant food every other week.