Million bells, also known as Calibrachoa and mini petunia, is a perennial, flowering plant that is often grown as an annual, blooming nonstop from spring to frost without the need for deadheading. These flowers thrive in warm climates, preferring full sun and moist, well-draining soils, and look spectacular in hanging baskets. Read on for our care and growing guide.
Million bells flowers (Calibrachoa) are a gorgeous and easy way to add vibrant color to hanging baskets. These prolific bloomers will cascade over the edges of your hanging baskets providing months of eye-catching color.
What are Million Bells Flowers?
Million bells, also known as calibrachoa, are tender perennials often grown as annuals. They produce abundant petite petunia-like blooms from spring through fall in shades of pink, purple, yellow, orange, red and white. The flowers resemble tiny trumpets, each with a bold ring of color around a lighter throat.
These low-maintenance plants have a trailing habit that makes them perfect spillers in hanging baskets and containers. Their vine-like stems can grow up to two feet long! Million bells’ profuse blooming and trailing nature mean you’ll get the maximum impact from just a few plants.
Growing Million Bells in Hanging Baskets
Choosing a Hanging Basket
Million bells flowers thrive in hanging baskets. Look for baskets at least 10-12 inches wide and deep to allow room for trailing growth. Make sure the hanging basket has several drainage holes to prevent soggy soil.
Baskets made from moss or coco fiber offer better breathability and moisture retention than plastic. But any basket material will work as long as you water properly.
Getting the Soil Right
Million bells need well-draining, nutrient-rich soil. Purchase a quality potting mix made for containers and hanging baskets. You can also make your own by mixing peat moss, compost and perlite
Add a slow-release fertilizer to provide nutrients for the whole season. Your soil should hold moisture but drain well and not get waterlogged.
Planting Million Bells Flowers
Fill your hanging basket about three-quarters full with moistened soil. Plant 3-5 million bells plants spaced evenly apart. Gently spread out the root balls and fill in around with additional soil as needed.
Aim to plant them near the edges so the vines can cascade over the sides. Water thoroughly after planting.
Caring for Million Bells
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Sunlight: Million bells thrive in full sun. At least 5-6 hours of direct sun is ideal. They can tolerate partial shade but may bloom less.
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Water: Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil is dry. Don’t let million bells wilt between waterings. However, take care not to overwater or the roots may rot.
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Fertilizer: Apply a blooming plant fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season. Million bells are heavy feeders.
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Temperature: Million bells love warm weather. Temperatures between 65-85°F are ideal. They can handle heat and humidity.
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Deadheading: While not required, deadheading faded blooms promotes more flowering.
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Winter Care: In zones 9-11, million bells may survive winter if protected from frost. Elsewhere treat as annuals.
Common Problems and Solutions
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Few flowers: This is usually due to insufficient sunlight or nutrition. Move basket to a sunnier location and fertilize more often.
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Wilting: Overwatering or underwatering can cause wilting. Check soil moisture and adjust watering frequency.
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Leggy growth: Plants aren’t getting enough sun. Move basket to a brighter spot.
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Yellow leaves: This can indicate overwatering or nitrogen deficiency. Allow soil to dry out further between waterings and fertilize with a nitrogen-rich fertilizer.
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Pests: Aphids and whiteflies may appear. Control with horticultural oils or insecticidal soap sprays.
With proper care, million bells will reward you with nonstop color in your hanging baskets from spring through fall! Their trailing vines and abundance of blooms make them one of the best choices for flower-filled, show-stopping hanging basket displays.
Pruning
In order to keep million bells plants bushy, pinch or cut back the tips, which will cause the plant to put out more branches. You can cut the plant back significantly in a hanging basket if it has become leggy, especially when theres lots of time left in the growing season.
Million Bells Care
Million bells plants make excellent ground cover in perennial regions, in addition to their popular use as annuals in baskets. Here are the main care requirements for million bells:
- Choose a sunny spot, ideally getting six hours of sunlight per day, though partial shade is also acceptable.
- Prepare organically-rich soil that holds moisture but is still well-draining.
- Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist and do not let it dry out completely.
- Fertilize regularly during the growing season.
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Best Tips for CALIBRACHOAS (Million Bells) – How to Keep Calibrachoas Looking Great
FAQ
How do you take care of a million bells hanging basket?
- Choose a sunny spot, ideally getting six hours of sunlight per day, though partial shade is also acceptable.
- Prepare organically-rich soil that holds moisture but is still well-draining.
- Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist and do not let it dry out completely.
How many million bells does it take to make a hanging basket?
You could also use million bells (Calibrachoa) or trailing petunias (Surfinia). You can have all the same or a complete mix. Some people like a colour scheme but I prefer to have a riot of cheerful colour. I recommend three trailing plants for a 12” basket, four for a 14” basket and six for a 16” basket.
How do you keep million bells blooming all summer?
Calibrachoa plants are heavy feeders. Nutrients are quickly leached from the soil by frequent watering, so fertilize regularly for continuous bloom. Use a water-soluble fertilizer every two weeks or add a slow-release granular fertilizer to the soil at planting time, replenishing according to instructions.
What is a million bells hanging basket?
When he’s not working on beautifying a client’s garden, he is busy creating helpful content for this blog. If you’re considering adding a touch of effervescent charm to your balcony or porch, filling hanging baskets with calibrachoa—also known by the delightful moniker Million Bells—is the way to go.
Is million bells a good plant?
Then Million Bells is a perfect choice! This stunning plant produces an abundance of vibrant flowers in various colors, making it a great way to add a touch of color to any garden. But beyond its flower power, Million Bells is also an incredibly tough plant that can handle almost anything Mother Nature throws.
What does a million Bell plant look like?
The plant forms a mound of small, oval-shaped leaves that are often described as looking like mini watermelons. Because of their trailing habit, million bells make excellent plants for hanging baskets, window boxes, and other containers where they can spill over the edges.
What is a Million Bells flower?
Have you ever wished for a flower that blooms endlessly, cascades beautifully, and requires minimal fuss? Meet the Calibrachoa, affectionately known as Million Bells – a garden gem that lives up to its charming nickname by producing countless vibrant, petunia-like blooms throughout the growing season.
How do you keep a million Bell plant bushy?
In order to keep million bells plants bushy, pinch or cut back the tips, which will cause the plant to put out more branches. You can cut the plant back significantly in a hanging basket if it has become leggy, especially when there’s lots of time left in the growing season.