Calibrachoa: How to Grow and Care with Success

Why should I grow Calibrachoa?

Growing Calibrachoa in your garden has several benefits:

Prolific blooms: Calibrachoa plants are known for their abundant, colorful blooms that last from spring to frost, adding continuous color to your garden throughout the growing season.

Low maintenance: These plants require minimal care, as they do not need deadheading to keep producing flowers. They are also generally pest and disease-resistant.

Versatility: Their compact and trailing growth habit makes them suitable for various garden settings, such as hanging baskets, window boxes, container gardens, and as groundcovers.

Attract pollinators: Calibrachoa flowers are attractive to bees, butterflies, and other pollinators, contributing to a healthy and biodiverse garden ecosystem.

Deer and rabbit resistance: Although not completely immune, the plants are generally not favored by deer and rabbits, which makes them a good option for gardens prone to these animals’ browsing.

Wide range of colors: Calibrachoa plants come in a wide variety of colors, allowing you to create eye-catching combinations and add a vibrant touch to your garden design.

Adaptability: These plants can tolerate a range of growing conditions, including varying light levels and soil types, making them suitable for different garden environments.

Growing Calibrachoa can add beauty, versatility, and low-maintenance appeal to your garden, making it an excellent choice for gardeners of all experience levels.

When to plant Calibrachoa

The best time to plant Calibrachoa is in the spring after the last frost has passed and the soil temperature has warmed up to at least 60°F (15°C). Calibrachoa is sensitive to frost, so ensure that the risk of frost is over before planting.

Where to Plant Calibrachoa

Sunlight: Calibrachoa should be planted in a location that receives full sun to partial shade. They prefer at least 6 hours of sunlight per day. Some afternoon shade is acceptable, especially in hot climates.

Soil: Calibrachoa prefers well-draining soil or potting mix with a slightly acidic to neutral pH (between 5.5 and 6.5). In containers, use a high-quality potting mix specifically designed for annuals or flowering plants. The planting site should have good drainage, as these plants are sensitive to overly wet conditions and can develop root rot in constantly damp soil.

Ideal planting locations include:

• Hanging baskets or containers: Calibrachoa’s trailing growth habit makes them perfect for hanging baskets and containers, where they can cascade over the edges for a beautiful display.
• Window boxes: Plant in window boxes to add a splash of color to the exterior of your home.
• Garden beds and borders: Calibrachoa can be used as an edging plant or as a ground cover in garden beds and borders. They can be mixed with other annuals or perennials for a colorful and varied display.
• Rock gardens: Calibrachoa can be used to fill in gaps between rocks in a rock garden, adding color and interest to an otherwise sparse landscape.

How to plant Calibrachoa

To plant Calibrachoa, follow these steps:

Select a location: Choose a planting site that receives full sun to partial shade, with at least 6 hours of sunlight per day.

Prepare the soil: Choose a well-draining soil and amend it with organic matter, such as compost or well-rotted manure, to improve its texture and fertility. This will help ensure that your plant has the nutrients it needs to thrive.

Dig planting holes: Dig holes that are slightly larger than the root balls of your plants. Space the holes 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm) apart, depending on the specific variety and the desired coverage.

Remove plants from containers: Gently remove the plants from their nursery containers, taking care not to damage the roots.

Plant: Place each plant in a hole, making sure the top of the root ball is level with the soil surface. Fill in the holes with soil, pressing down gently to remove any air pockets.

Water: Thoroughly water the newly planted Calibrachoa to help settle the soil around the roots. Keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, especially during the first few weeks as the plants establish.

By following these steps, you can successfully plant and establish your Calibrachoa for a beautiful and colorful display.

Garden Design with Calibrachoa

Designing a garden with Calibrachoa can create a stunning, colorful display. Here are some ideas for incorporating these terrific plants into your garden design:

Container gardens: Calibrachoa is an excellent choice for container gardens, hanging baskets, or window boxes. Choose a variety of colors to create a vibrant and eye-catching display. Plant alongside other trailing plants like trailing petunias, verbena, or lobelia for a lush, overflowing look.

Borders and edging: Use Calibrachoa as a border plant or to edge pathways and garden beds. The low-growing, mounding habit of Calibrachoa makes it ideal for defining garden spaces and adding a splash of color.

Mixed flower beds: Incorporate Calibrachoa into mixed flower beds alongside other annuals and perennials to create a textured and colorful display. Good companion plants include geraniums, zinnias, marigolds, and salvia.

Ground cover: Plant as a ground cover in sunny areas of the garden. The dense, mounding growth will help suppress weeds and provide a carpet of color throughout the season.

Rock gardens: Calibrachoa can be a great addition to rock gardens or slope plantings, where their trailing habit can cascade over rocks or down a slope, adding interest and color.

Theme gardens: Use different colors of Calibrachoa to create a themed garden, such as a monochromatic display with various shades of the same color or a bold and bright mix of complementary colors.

When designing a garden with Calibrachoa, be sure to choose a sunny location and provide well-draining soil to ensure optimal growth and flowering. With proper care and attention, your Calibrachoa garden will provide a stunning display throughout the season.

Calibrachoa Companion Plants

Calibrachoa can be paired with a variety of companion plants to create a visually appealing and dynamic garden. Here are some excellent companion plants for Calibrachoa:

Petunias: Both trailing and upright petunias make great companions for Calibrachoa, as they share similar growing requirements and produce a profusion of colorful blooms.

Verbena: Trailing verbena varieties add texture and a complementary color palette to Calibrachoa plantings, creating a stunning mixed container or hanging basket display.

Lobelia: Lobelia’s delicate, cascading foliage and small flowers pair well with the bolder blooms of Calibrachoa, creating a balanced and harmonious display.

Bacopa: With its small, dainty flowers and trailing growth habit, Bacopa is an excellent partner for Calibrachoa in containers or garden beds.

Lantana: Lantana’s clusters of brightly colored flowers add interest and contrast to Calibrachoa plantings, and both plants are heat and drought-tolerant.

Geraniums: The rounded growth habit and large flowers of geraniums work well with Calibrachoa, providing structure and color contrast in mixed plantings.

Nemesia: The colorful, delicate blooms of Nemesia can create a stunning and complementary display when paired with Calibrachoa.

Ornamental grasses: The fine, wispy foliage of ornamental grasses like Carex or Festuca can provide an attractive contrast to the bold colors and mounding habit of Calibrachoa.

When choosing companion plants for Calibrachoa, consider their growing requirements, such as sun exposure, water needs, and soil preferences, to ensure that all plants in the combination will thrive together. Mixing different colors, textures, and growth habits will create a visually appealing and dynamic garden display.

Calibrachoa Care

Caring for Calibrachoa plants is relatively easy, as they are low-maintenance and adaptable to various growing conditions. Here are some key care tips for healthy and vibrant plants:

• Watering: Water Calibrachoa plants regularly, keeping the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Overwatering can lead to root rot, while underwatering can cause the plant to become stressed and produce fewer blooms. In containers, water when the top inch of soil feels dry.
• Fertilizing: Feed Calibrachoa with a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer every 2-4 weeks during the growing season. Alternatively, you can use a slow-release fertilizer applied at planting time. Follow the package instructions for proper application rates.
• Pruning: Pinch back the tips of Calibrachoa plants to encourage bushier growth and more branching. If the plant becomes leggy or overgrown, trim it back by one-third to promote a fuller, more compact shape.
• Overwintering: Calibrachoa is typically grown as an annual, but in USDA hardiness zones 9-11, it can be treated as a perennial. In colder regions, you can bring container-grown plants indoors and place them in a bright, cool location (around 50-60°F) for the winter.

By following these care tips, your Calibrachoa plants should thrive and produce abundant, colorful blooms throughout the growing season.

How to Propagate

Propagating Calibrachoa can be done through stem cuttings. Here’s a step-by-step guide:

• Choose the right time: The best time for taking Calibrachoa cuttings is during the active growing season, typically in late spring or early summer.
• Select healthy stems: Choose healthy, non-flowering stems from the mother plant that are free of pests and diseases.
• Prepare the cutting: Using a clean, sharp pair of scissors or pruning shears, cut a 4 to 6-inch (10-15 cm) long stem segment just below a leaf node. Remove the leaves from the lower half of the cutting, leaving 2-3 sets of leaves at the top.
• Rooting hormone (optional): While not necessary, you can dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone powder to improve the chances of successful root development.
• Plant the cutting: Fill a small pot or container with a well-draining, sterile potting mix or a mix of perlite and peat moss. Insert the cut end of the stem into the potting mix, burying the bottom half of the stem.
• Water and cover: Water the cutting gently to settle the potting mix around the stem. You can cover the pot with a clear plastic bag or a plastic dome to create a humid environment that encourages rooting. Make sure the plastic doesn’t touch the cutting.
• Place in a bright location: Position the pot in a bright, warm location with indirect sunlight. Avoid direct sunlight, as it can scorch the cutting or cause excessive heat under the plastic covering.
• Monitor and care: Keep the potting mix consistently moist but not waterlogged. Check for roots after 2-3 weeks by gently tugging on the cutting. If it resists, roots have likely formed.
• Transplant: Once the cutting has developed a strong root system, transplant it into a larger pot or its final location in the garden. Gradually expose the new plant to outdoor conditions if you plan to grow it outside.

With proper care, your propagated Calibrachoa should grow into a healthy, flowering plant.

Pests and Diseases

Calibrachoa is generally a low-maintenance plant with few pest and disease issues. However, there are some potential problems to watch out for:

Aphids: These small, sap-sucking insects can cause yellowing, curling leaves, and stunted growth. You can wash them off with a strong spray of water or use insecticidal soap or neem oil as a treatment.

Whiteflies: Whiteflies are small, white insects that can damage Calibrachoa by sucking sap from the leaves, leading to yellowing and wilting. Control them by using sticky traps, releasing beneficial insects such as ladybugs, or applying insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Spider mites: These tiny, spider-like pests can cause stippling or bronzing of leaves and overall plant weakness. Treat spider mite infestations by increasing humidity, washing the plant with water, or using insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Thrips: Thrips are small, slender insects that can cause distorted leaves and flowers, as well as stunted growth. Control them with sticky traps, insecticidal soap, or neem oil.

Root rot: Overwatering or poorly draining soil can lead to root rot, a fungal disease that causes yellowing, wilting leaves, and, eventually, plant death. Prevent root rot by using well-draining soil and avoiding overwatering.

Powdery mildew: This fungal disease appears as a white, powdery substance on leaves and can lead to leaf distortion and premature leaf drop. Increase air circulation around the plant, avoid overhead watering, and use a fungicide if necessary to control powdery mildew.

Botrytis blight: Also known as gray mold, this fungal disease can cause brown, water-soaked spots on leaves, flowers, and stems, eventually leading to a fuzzy gray mold. Improve air circulation, remove infected plant parts, and apply a fungicide if necessary.

Leaf spot diseases: Various fungal and bacterial leaf spot diseases can cause small, discolored spots on leaves. Remove affected leaves, avoid overhead watering, and apply a fungicide if the problem persists.

By keeping an eye out for these potential pests and diseases and addressing them promptly, you can maintain the health and beauty of your Calibrachoa plants.

Click here to compare all Calibrachoa varieties

Frequently Asked Questions

Do you have to deadhead calibrachoa?

No, you do not have to deadhead Calibrachoa. They are considered self-cleaning plants, meaning they will drop their spent flowers and continue to bloom without the need for deadheading. However, you can pinch back the plant to encourage bushier growth and more blooms.

Does calibrachoa bloom all summer?

Yes, Calibrachoa blooms from spring to fall, providing continuous color throughout the summer. With proper care, including adequate sunlight, water, and nutrients, the plants will produce a profusion of flowers during the growing season.

Is calibrachoa a shade plant?

Calibrachoa prefers full sun to partial shade, with a minimum of 6 hours of sunlight daily. While it can tolerate some shade, too much shade can result in fewer blooms and leggy growth. For optimal flowering and healthy growth, plant Calibrachoa in an area with plenty of bright, direct sunlight.