How to Grow Calibrachoa Million Bells Cabaret
Calibrachoa Million Bells Cabaret
Calibrachoa × hybrida 'Cabaret'
flowerMillion Bells Cabaret is a trailing petunia relative with deep burgundy flowers that bloom prolifically throughout the growing season. This compact, mounding cultivar produces thousands of small trumpet-shaped flowers on cascading stems, making it ideal for hanging baskets, containers, and garden borders. The vigorous growth habit and extended flowering period make it a popular choice for summer color in landscapes.
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Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Thrives in zones 3-11 as an annual; perennial in zones 9-11
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Growth Stages
Seedling
3-4 weeksSmall plants with 2-4 true leaves, compact and tender
Keep soil consistently moist. Provide bright indirect light. Avoid damping off by ensuring good air circulation. Fertilize weekly with dilute liquid fertilizer.
Transplant/Establishment
2-3 weeksYoung plants with established root systems beginning to branch, 3-4 inches tall
Gradually acclimate to outdoor conditions. Plant in containers or gardens after last frost. Pinch back leader if leggy to encourage branching. Water regularly but do not overwater.
Vegetative Growth
3-5 weeksVigorous branching with dense foliage, trailing stems extending 12-18 inches
Continue pinching back if desired for fuller habit. Fertilize every 2 weeks with balanced or bloom-promoting fertilizer. Monitor for pest activity. Ensure adequate light and air circulation.
Flowering
8-12+ weeks (throughout season)Abundant small trumpet flowers in deep burgundy-purple covering the plant, continuous blooming
Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms (though self-cleaning). Maintain consistent watering and fertilizing schedule. Watch for spider mites in heat stress. Support trailing stems if desired.
Decline/Season End
Variable, until frostFlowering slows as temperatures cool in fall; growth becomes sparse
Can be cut back and brought indoors for overwintering in cool, bright location. Reduce watering and fertilizing. Or allow to decline naturally as an annual and compost.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
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Spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe. Improve air circulation and avoid heat stress. Regular misting can reduce infestations.
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Use yellow sticky traps. Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil on undersides of leaves. Remove heavily infested leaves.
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Spray with strong water stream or insecticidal soap. Use neem oil if persistent. Encourage beneficial insects like ladybugs.
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Improve air circulation. Remove affected leaves. Apply sulfur dust or fungicide. Avoid overhead watering.
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Ensure excellent drainage. Reduce watering frequency. Use well-draining potting soil. Remove affected plants to prevent spread.
Uses
Container and Hanging Basket Gardening
HouseholdMillion Bells Cabaret is one of the most popular choices for mixed container gardens, hanging baskets, window boxes, and patio planters due to its vigorous trailing habit and abundant flowering. A single plant can fill a 12-14 inch hanging basket with color throughout the summer. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe abundant small flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hoverflies to gardens and patios. While not a primary nectar source compared to larger flowers, the profusion of blooms over many weeks provides valuable food for pollinators. [source]
Summer Bedding and Border Color
HouseholdThe deep burgundy-purple color works well as a border, edging plant, or component of mixed beds. Its compact, mounding habit and long season of color make it reliable for summer landscape color with minimal maintenance. [source]
Cut Flower Arrangements
CraftWhile small, the trailing stems with multiple flowers can be used in fresh mixed arrangements for a delicate, full appearance. The flowers last several days in water if stem bases are re-cut. [source]
Overwintering and Year-Round Indoor Growing
HouseholdIn frost-prone regions, plants can be cut back, brought indoors to a cool, bright location, and overwintered as houseplants. They will slow growth but may provide color indoors. Can be returned outdoors after last frost to regrow. [source]
Harvest Tips
Deadheading is not necessary but improves appearance and may encourage slightly heavier blooming. Simply pinch or snip off spent flowers. The plant is self-cleaning to a degree and will continue blooming profusely without deadheading. For propagation, take 2-3 inch softwood cuttings in mid-summer, root in moist potting mix under humidity, and pot up for indoor overwintering.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 Calibrachoa Million Bells was developed in the 1990s and has become one of the most commercially successful ornamental plant introductions, with dozens of color varieties now available.
- 🌱 Despite looking like miniature petunias, Calibrachoa is a separate genus with smaller flowers—hence the name 'Million Bells,' referring to the sheer quantity of tiny blooms a single plant produces.
- 🌱 The Cabaret variety's deep burgundy-purple color is particularly vibrant in cool weather and may develop more purple tones in fall, creating dynamic seasonal color changes.
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