How to Grow Calibrachoa Kabloom Red

Calibrachoa Kabloom Red

Calibrachoa × hybrida 'Kabloom Red'

flower

Calibrachoa Kabloom Red is a compact, mounding annual flower with masses of small trumpet-shaped blooms in vibrant red. Bred specifically for garden performance, it produces abundant flowers from late spring through frost with minimal deadheading required. This cultivar is part of the Kabloom series, known for exceptional vigor and continuous blooming in small spaces.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (more sun = more prolific blooming)

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Water: Keep soil consistently moist but never waterlogged. In containers, check daily as they dry quickly. In hot weather, may need watering twice daily. Reduce watering in cooler periods.

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Spacing: 8-12 inches

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Days to maturity: 35-50 days to first flowers from transplant

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Planting depth: Surface sow or plant transplants at same depth as nursery pot; seeds need light to germinate

Soil

Type: Well-draining potting soil or garden soil with organic matter

pH: 6.0-7.0

Amendments:

Compost or aged bark mulch Perlite for container growing Slow-release balanced fertilizer

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Annual in all zones; best planted after last frost date for continuous summer blooms

2a 2b 3a 3b 4a 4b 5a 5b 6a 6b 7a 7b 8a 8b 9a 9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Growth Stages

Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny plants with first set of true leaves appearing; very delicate and slow-growing initially

Keep soil moist under grow lights or bright windowsill. Maintain 65-75°F. Avoid overwatering which causes damping-off disease. Do not cover seeds.

Vegetative

3-4 weeks

Small bushy plant with numerous tiny oval leaves; no flowers yet. Develops branching structure and root system.

Provide 14-16 hours of light daily. Water when top inch of soil is dry. Fertilize weekly with diluted balanced fertilizer. Pinch growing tips once or twice to encourage branching.

Flowering Initiation

1-2 weeks

First small flower buds appear at branch tips; plant begins to show its compact mounding habit

Reduce fertilizer nitrogen slightly to encourage flowering. Continue consistent watering and full sun exposure. Begin hardening off if growing indoors before transplanting outside.

Blooming

12-16 weeks (June to frost)

Abundant small trumpet-shaped red flowers covering the mounded plant; continuous flowering through season

Maintain consistent moisture without waterlogging. Fertilize every 2-3 weeks with balanced or slightly higher-phosphorus fertilizer. Deadheading is optional as Kabloom cultivars are self-cleaning. Pinch back leggy growth mid-season if needed.

Decline

2-4 weeks until frost

Flowering slows as temperatures drop below 50°F; plant becomes frost-sensitive and dies back

Plant will cease flowering in cool fall weather. Can be brought indoors as a houseplant in containers if desired, but typically treated as annual and removed at season's end.

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Bacopa Dusty Miller Sweet Potato Vine Ipomoea (Morning Glory) Salvia Verbena Lobelia Begonia Petunias Zinnias

Avoid planting near:

Dense shade-producing plants Plants competing for nutrients in very poor soil Overly humid environments prone to mildew

Common Pests

Spray undersides of leaves with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days. Yellow sticky traps for monitoring. Encourage beneficial insects.
Increase humidity and water spray to foliage. Apply miticide or neem oil. Remove heavily infested portions. Avoid excessive heat stress.
Spray with strong water stream to dislodge. Use insecticidal soap or neem oil. Introduce ladybugs or parasitic wasps.
Allow soil surface to dry between waterings. Use yellow sticky traps. Apply sand topdressing to soil. Avoid overwatering, especially in containers.
Ensure good air circulation. Spray with sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate fungicide. Remove affected foliage. Avoid overhead watering.

Uses

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Edible flowers

Culinary

Calibrachoa flowers are non-toxic and can be used as delicate garnishes for salads, desserts, and beverages, adding visual appeal with their vibrant red color. [source]

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Container gardening and hanging baskets

Household

The Kabloom series is specifically bred for exceptional performance in containers, hanging baskets, and window boxes with minimal care and prolific blooming. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

Small flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hoverflies throughout the growing season, providing essential nectar sources and supporting beneficial insects. [source]

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Garden design and color coordination

Craft

The uniform red color and compact mounding habit make Kabloom Red ideal for creating bold color masses, edging borders, and coordinating with complementary plantings in landscape design. [source]

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Low-maintenance annual color

Household

Bred for vigor and reliability, Kabloom Red requires minimal deadheading and maintenance while providing continuous color, making it ideal for busy gardeners or beginner gardeners. [source]

Harvest Tips

Not harvested for cutting in traditional sense, but flowers can be enjoyed on the plant throughout season. For longest continuous blooms, plant in mid-spring after all frost danger passes. In mild winter climates, may provide flowers through fall and into early winter.

Fun Facts

🌱 The Kabloom series was developed specifically for commercial growers and gardeners seeking a calibrachoa that blooms prolifically without constant deadheading—a major breeding achievement.
🌱 Calibrachoa is closely related to petunias (both in Solanaceae family) but produces much smaller flowers in greater abundance; the name comes from the genus Calibrachoa, native to South America.
🌱 Despite their delicate appearance, Kabloom cultivars are remarkably tough performers and can tolerate heat stress, irregular watering, and poor soil better than many other small-flowered annuals.

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