How to Grow Calibrachoa Superbells Scarlet

Calibrachoa Superbells Scarlet

Calibrachoa × hybrida 'Superbells Scarlet'

flower

Superbells Scarlet is a compact, mounding annual bedding plant featuring vibrant scarlet-red trumpet-shaped flowers that bloom prolifically throughout the growing season. This hybrid calibrachoa variety is a heat and drought-tolerant cultivar that produces hundreds of small petunia-like flowers on branching stems, making it ideal for containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds.

Growing Conditions

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Sun: Full sun, 6-8 hours daily (more sun produces more blooms)

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Water: Water regularly when soil surface is dry to touch; calibrachoas are drought-tolerant but flower best with consistent moisture. Avoid waterlogging. Reduce watering in cooler months.

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Spacing: 12-18 inches

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Days to maturity: 45-60 days to prolific flowering

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Planting depth: Surface sow; do not cover seeds (they need light to germinate). Plant transplants at same depth as nursery pots.

Soil

Type: Well-draining potting soil or sandy loam

pH: 6.0-6.8

Amendments:

Perlite Compost Peat moss or coco coir

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives as an annual in zones 3-11; perennial in zones 9-11

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

Growth Stages

Germination & Seedling

2-3 weeks

Tiny seeds sprout into delicate seedlings with first true leaves appearing within 7-10 days

Maintain 70-75°F, keep soil moist but not waterlogged, provide bright indirect light, use grow lights if indoors

Vegetative Growth

3-4 weeks

Plant develops multiple stem branches and increasingly dense foliage with no flowers yet

Pinch back growing tips once or twice to encourage bushier branching; fertilize weekly with balanced fertilizer; maintain consistent moisture

Flowering Initiation

2-3 weeks

Buds form at branch tips and flowers begin opening in waves across the plant

Shift to lower nitrogen, higher phosphorus fertilizer to support blooming; continue pinching back if plant is leggy; deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming

Peak Blooming

6-12 weeks or until frost

Plant is covered with hundreds of scarlet trumpet flowers creating a dense mound of color

Water consistently but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings; deadhead regularly (though many flowers self-clean); fertilize every 2 weeks; handle heat stress by providing afternoon shade in extreme climates

Decline (End of Season)

Variable; until first hard frost (zones 3-8)

Flowering slows as temperatures cool in fall or frost approaches; some leaf yellowing may occur

Continue watering and deadheading to extend blooming; in zones 9-11, prune lightly in late winter to rejuvenate for next season; elsewhere, treat as end-of-season annual

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Dusty Miller Bacopa Diascia Angelonia Verbena Lantana Salvia Petunias Sweet potato vine Ivy geraniums

Avoid planting near:

Plants requiring consistent shade Heavy feeders competing for nutrients in containers Plants preferring consistently wet soil

Common Pests

Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil; remove heavily infested leaves; ensure good air circulation
Increase humidity by misting; spray with neem oil or horticultural oil; hose off with water; avoid over-fertilizing with nitrogen
Spray with water to dislodge; use insecticidal soap; apply neem oil; introduce beneficial insects like ladybugs
Improve air circulation; avoid overhead watering; remove diseased foliage promptly; reduce humidity in cool, damp conditions
Increase air circulation; avoid wetting foliage; apply sulfur dust or potassium bicarbonate; use neem oil preventatively

Uses

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Landscape color & mounding displays

Ornamental

Superbells Scarlet creates vibrant scarlet-red mounds of color in garden beds, borders, and edging. Its compact, self-cleaning habit makes it low-maintenance for mass plantings that deliver continuous color from late spring through first frost. [source]

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Container & basket gardening

Ornamental

The trailing, mounding growth habit makes this cultivar ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, and container combinations. Its heat and drought tolerance make it reliable for exposed patio locations where other plants might struggle. [source]

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Heat & drought tolerance

Ornamental

Superbells Scarlet is specially bred for superior heat, humidity, and drought tolerance compared to standard petunias. It thrives in challenging conditions like hot decks, south-facing walls, and areas with irregular watering. [source]

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Pollinator attraction

Wildlife

The abundant small flowers attract butterflies, bees, and hummingbirds throughout the blooming season. Providing nectar-rich flowers like calibrachoa supports pollinator populations in gardens. [source]

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Cut flower arrangements

Craft

While small, the delicate scarlet flowers can be harvested for miniature fresh floral arrangements and posies. The flowers last several days in water and add delicate color to small bouquets. [source]

Harvest Tips

This ornamental flower is not typically harvested for food, but flowers can be cut for fresh arrangements if desired. Deadheading (pinching off spent flowers) is the primary 'harvest' practice and encourages continuous blooming throughout the season. Remove faded flower clusters regularly to maintain peak visual display.

Fun Facts

🌱 Calibrachoa is sometimes called 'million bells' because mature plants can produce hundreds to thousands of flowers in a single season, creating the appearance of a million blooms.
🌱 Superbells varieties are patented cultivars developed for superior performance; the Superbells series has won numerous awards including the Fleuroselect Gold Medal for excellence in ornamental breeding.
🌱 Unlike petunias, calibrachoas have very small leaves and flowers—individual blooms are only about 1 inch across—but the sheer quantity of blooms compensates with spectacular color displays.

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