YardMate
English
Download
Million Bells (Calibrachoa x hybrida), whole plant
  • Million Bells — close-up of leaves and flowers
  • Million Bells — seasonal appearance
  • Million Bells in a garden setting

Million Bells

Calibrachoa x hybrida

Easy · Beginner friendly

About Million Bells

Million Bells is a trailing tender perennial grown as an annual throughout the US, beloved for its prolific small petunia-like flowers covering mounded plants from spring through frost. Reaching 6 to 12 inches tall and spreading 12 to 24 inches, it blooms non-stop in colors from hot pink and yellow to deep purple and bicolors. Self-cleaning flowers require no deadheading, making it a top choice for hanging baskets, window boxes, and mixed containers across American gardens.

  • Heat-tolerant
  • Container-friendly
  • Long-blooming
  • Pollinator-friendly
WATER
Regular
Top inch dry
LIGHT
Full sun
6+ hrs direct
HARDY
Hardy to 20°F (-7°C)
USDA hardiness zones 9–11

How to care for Million Bells

Watering

  • Springevery 3 days
  • Summerevery 2 days
  • Fallevery 5 days
  • Winterevery 7 days

Soil · Well-draining

  • Top dressingPine bark mulch10%
  • Main mixPotting soil + perlite 2:170%
  • DrainageLECA / gravel20%

Never skip the drainage layer — standing water is the top cause of root rot.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%
  • Nitrogen · Leaves
  • Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
  • Potassium · Strength
  • Springevery 14 days
  • Summerevery 14 days
  • Fallevery 30 days
Get watering reminders for Million Bells — free on iPhoneDownload on the App Store

At a Glance

  • NativeSouth America
  • Height0.5–1 ft (0.2–0.3 m)
  • Spread1–2 ft (0.3–0.6 m)
  • Flower colorPink, Purple, Red, Yellow
  • Foliage colorGreen
  • SoilWell-drained, Loamy
  • LocationsBalcony · Yard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

Mar–Nov

J
F
M
A
M
J
J
A
S
O
N
D

Thousands of mini trumpet flowers spring through frost

Toxicity

Toxicity unknown

None reported

Unknown

EXPOSURE Unspecified plant material.

EFFECT Toxic effects are not specified.

NOTE Toxicity for humans is not well documented; use caution until verified.

Unknown

EXPOSURE Unspecified plant material.

EFFECT Toxic effects are not specified.

NOTE Toxicity for dogs is not well documented; use caution until verified.

Unknown

EXPOSURE Unspecified plant material.

EFFECT Toxic effects are not specified.

NOTE Toxicity for cats is not well documented; use caution until verified.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Million Bells · Native
  • Native
  • South America

History

Illustrated historical scene for Million Bells

Calibrachoa x hybrida is a group of garden hybrids derived primarily from South American species including Calibrachoa parviflora, C. caesia, and others. The genus was once sunk into Petunia but modern molecular work restored it; the hybrids resemble miniature trailing petunias. Japanese firm Suntory Flowers introduced the first commercial series as Million Bells in 1992, igniting a revolution in container and hanging basket horticulture as growers realized the plants bloomed continuously without deadheading.

Subsequent series including Superbells from Proven Winners, MiniFamous from Selecta, and Cabaret, alongside countless improvements, have made calibrachoa one of the top-selling annual bedding and container crops in North America and Europe. Breeding has expanded color range from the original pink through nearly every hue including yellow, black, and bicolors.

Developed by Japanese breeder Suntory in the 1990s as a petunia relative with smaller flowers and better weather resistance. The Million Bells and Superbells series transformed American container gardening by the early 2000s, now a summer-staple at every US garden center.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

Calibrachoa is endless joy in miniature, spilling thousands of trumpet-shaped blooms from spring through frost without a true pause. Its abundance feels almost extravagant — a single basket can carry more flowers than the eye can count. To grow it is to live with steady, generous cheer at eye level all season, a small daily reassurance that beauty need not be rationed.

  • Endless joy — non-stop blooming from spring to frost
  • Abundance — thousands of flowers per plant

Where the Name Comes From

'Calibrachoa' honors Mexican botanist Antonio de la Cal y Bracho (1766-1833); species is a hybrid of South American parents.

Uses & Fun Facts

  • Trailing million-bells fill hanging baskets and window boxes
  • Continuous blooms attract bees and hummingbirds all summer

Related plants

More Calibrachoa plants

Plants with similar care

Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Million Bells?

In summer, water about every 2 days; in winter, about every 7 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Million Bells need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Million Bells toxic to cats or dogs?

Pets Unknown (Dogs Unknown · Cats Unknown) Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Million Bells easy to grow?

Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.

When does Million Bells bloom?

It typically blooms Mar–Nov in the Northern Hemisphere.

YardMate

Identify any plant in seconds

Snap a photo — YardMate names the plant, diagnoses problems, and reminds you when to water.

Download on the App Store
YardMateIdentify · Diagnose · Remind
Download