How to Grow Calibrachoa (Million Bells)

Calibrachoa, often called million bells, lives up to its name. Its masses of small, petunia-like flowers cover baskets and pots from early summer until the first frost, in bright reds, oranges, yellows, pinks and blues.

Here's how to grow it and keep it flowering.

Calibrachoa at a Glance

• Hardiness: not hardy. Grown as a summer plant.
• Position: full sun.
• Size: about 10 to 40cm tall, spreading and spilling over the edges of pots.
• Flowers: June to October.
• When to plant out: May and June, after the frosts.
• Good for: hanging baskets, window boxes and patio pots.

Where to Plant Calibrachoa

Calibrachoa loves full sun. It's perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes and the edges of patio pots, where it mounds up and spills over the sides. The Cabaret series forms soft mounds that spill rather than trailing in long strands.

Caring for Calibrachoa

• Watering: baskets and pots dry out quickly in summer, so water regularly and don't let the compost dry out completely.
• Feeding: feed every week or two through summer with a liquid feed for flowering plants.
• Drainage: use a free-draining compost and make sure pots have drainage holes.

Winter

Calibrachoa isn't hardy and finishes with the first frost. Compost the plants and plant fresh ones next spring.

Calibrachoa: Your Questions Answered

Is calibrachoa the same as a petunia?

No, but they're close relatives. Calibrachoa has smaller flowers and forms neat, spilling mounds.

Is calibrachoa hardy?

No. Plant it out after the frosts and grow it as a summer plant.

Is calibrachoa good for hanging baskets?

Yes. It's one of the best plants for sunny baskets and window boxes.

A Million Flowers for Your Baskets

With sun, water and regular feeding, calibrachoa will flower nonstop all summer. Browse our calibrachoa, or see how to grow petunias.

Our garden plants are grown in Britain by growers we know, including the Yorkshire nursery that grows most of them. We check every plant by hand before it's packed, and send it out ready for your garden.