Million Bells Calibrachoa Chameleon Sunshine Berry = 'Wescachasube' (Chameleon Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Calibrachoa Chameleon Sunshine Berry, also known simply as Calibrachoa or Million Bells, is a charming plant that is celebrated for its vibrant and transformative flowering ability. This variety presents a delightful cascade of small, trumpet-shaped flowers. Each blossom is a work of art, featuring an enchanting blend of colors that can shift in hue with changes in light and temperature. The flowers often boast a compelling mix of sunny yellow and warm berry tones, which may include shades of pink, orange, and deep magenta, giving the effect that each flower is dappled with sunlight and shadow. The petals have a velvety texture that adds to the visual appeal and are prolific bloomers, creating an abundant display that spills over the edges of containers, baskets, or spreads across garden beds. The foliage of the plant is a bright green, forming a lush backdrop for the showy flowers. Its leaves are petite, oval-shaped, and sit closely against the slender, trailing stems that weave and meander, either upwards as a climbing plant or gently cascading down, depending on the support they are given. Overall, the Calibrachoa Chameleon Sunshine Berry exemplifies a hearty plant with an ever-changing palette of warm, radiant flowers that can add dynamic flair to any garden or patio space.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Synonyms
  Million Bells, Mini Petunia
- Common names
  Calibrachoa Chameleon Sunshine Berry = 'Wescachasube' (Chameleon Series).
Toxicity
- To humans
  The plant commonly known as Calibrachoa is generally not considered to be toxic to humans. However, as with many plants, it is not intended for consumption and eating it may cause mild discomfort, such as an upset stomach or gastrointestinal irritation. It is always best to err on the side of caution and avoid ingesting any part of ornamental plants.
- To pets
  Calibrachoa is also not commonly known to be toxic to pets. Nevertheless, if a pet were to ingest a significant amount of the plant, it may experience mild gastrointestinal upset, including symptoms such as vomiting or diarrhea. As with any non-food plant, it is advisable to prevent pets from ingesting Calibrachoa to avoid any potential negative reactions. If you suspect your pet has eaten a large amount of this plant and is showing adverse symptoms, it is best to consult with a veterinarian.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Mixed
- Height
  6-12 inches (15-30 cm)
- Spread
  12-24 inches (30-60 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Easy to Grow: Calibrachoa Chameleon Sunshine Berry is known for its ease of cultivation, making it suitable for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Continuous Blooming: This plant produces flowers continuously throughout the growing season, providing consistent color in the garden.
- Vibrant Colors: The plant features a vibrant color palette that can brighten up any garden space.
- Drought Tolerance: Once established, it is relatively drought-tolerant, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Attracts Pollinators: The flowers attract bees, butterflies, and other beneficial pollinators to the garden.
- Low Maintenance: Calibrachoa Chameleon Sunshine Berry requires minimal care beyond basic watering and occasional feeding.
- Versatile Planting: This plant is suitable for containers, hanging baskets, and landscaping, offering versatility in garden design.
- Heat Tolerance: It can withstand high temperatures, making it ideal for summer gardens.
- Compact Growth: Its compact growth habit makes it a good choice for spaces with limited area.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- As a natural dye: Calibrachoa's vibrant petals can be used to create natural dyes for fabrics, offering an eco-friendly alternative to synthetic dyes.
- In art projects: Pressed flowers of Calibrachoa can be used in crafting and art, such as in scrapbooking, card making, or even as a natural element in paintings.
- As a teaching tool: This plant can be utilized in educational settings to teach about plant biology, hybridization, and the role of pollinators in gardens.
- Biodegradable confetti: Dried flowers of Calibrachoa can be turned into natural, biodegradable confetti for celebrations, being environmentally friendly.
- In photography: Calibrachoa makes for a vivid and attractive subject in macro photography, showcasing the details and colors of its blossoms.
- As a color guide: The various hues of Calibrachoa can be used by designers and artists as inspiration for color palettes in their work.
- For sensory gardens: The texture and color of Calibrachoa make it an excellent addition to gardens designed to provide sensory experiences.
- In culinary presentations: While not edible, Calibrachoa flowers can adorn plates as decorative elements in high-end culinary presentations, but should be removed before consumption.
- Garden photography backdrop: Calibrachoa, with its vibrant colors, provides a beautiful backdrop for photographing other garden features or wildlife.
- As erosion control: When planted in masses, Calibrachoa can help stabilize soil and prevent erosion in sloped garden areas due to its fast growth and dense coverage.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Calibrachoa is not used in Feng Shui practice.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Calibrachoa is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Adaptability: Named 'Chameleon Sunshine Berry' for its ability to change colors, Calibrachoa symbolizes flexibility and the capacity to adapt to various conditions, much like a chameleon does in nature.
- Joy and Positive Energy: Its bright and varied colors bring a sense of happiness and optimism, often associated with sunny dispositions and positive outlooks.
- Innovation and Change: As a modern hybrid, known for its unique color-changing feature, it represents innovation, creativity, and change.
- Endurance and Longevity: It is a durable plant that can bloom for an extended period, symbolizing endurance and the ability to thrive over time.

💧

Every 1-2 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring to Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Million Bells should be watered frequently, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not soggy. During the growing season, typically spring through summer, watering might be necessary every day, especially if the plant is in a hanging basket or a container. Provide approximately 1 to 1.5 gallons of water per week, adjusted for rainfall, humidity, and temperature, ensuring the entire root ball is hydrated. It's crucial to avoid overhead watering to reduce the risk of disease, instead water at the base of the plant. During the cooler months, reduce watering but never allow the soil to completely dry out.
Light
Million Bells thrives in full sun, which means it should be placed in a spot where it can receive at least 6 to 8 hours of direct sunlight per day. The best spot for this plant is outdoors in a location that receives ample sunlight without being shaded by larger plants or structures. While the plant can tolerate some partial shade, too little light can lead to fewer flowers and leggy growth.
Temperature
Million Bells prefers warm conditions and should be kept in an environment where temperatures range from 55 to 65 degrees Fahrenheit at night and between 65 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit during the day. It can survive minimum temperatures of 50 degrees Fahrenheit but is sensitive to frost. To ensure the best growth and flowering, maintain the plant within this ideal temperature range.
Pruning
Pruning Million Bells helps encourage bushier growth and more blooms. Deadheading or pinching off spent flowers along with some of the stem promotes continuous flowering. Prune lightly throughout the growing season whenever the plant starts to look untidy or after a flush of blooms has faded. The best time for pruning is in the early evening when the plant is not under direct sunlight.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Million Bells thrive in well-draining, fertile soil with a pH of 5.5 to 6.5. A mix of peat, potting soil, and perlite or sand is ideal to ensure proper drainage and aeration.
Repotting
Million Bells should be repotted annually to refresh the soil and address root crowding, typically in the spring before the onset of the growth period.
Humidity & Misting
Million Bells prefer moderate to high humidity levels but are quite adaptable and can tolerate less humid conditions provided they receive adequate watering.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright indirect light, keep soil moist, and provide good airflow.
- Outdoor
  Place in full to partial sun, protect from strong winds, and water regularly.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
The life of Calibrachoa 'Chameleon Sunshine Berry' begins with seed germination, where under suitable conditions of warmth and moisture, the seed sprouts and develops roots and shoots. The seedling stage follows, characterized by the emergence of the first pair of true leaves and continued root development. As the plant enters the vegetative stage, it experiences rapid growth of foliage through the production of stems and leaves, preparing the plant to support future flowering. The flowering stage is marked by the blooming of distinctive, colorful flowers that can adapt their hue in response to light levels, attracting pollinators. After pollination, if it occurs, the plant may produce seed pods during the fruiting stage, completing the sexual reproductive cycle. Finally, as an annual or tender perennial depending on the climate, Calibrachoa 'Chameleon Sunshine Berry' will either die after setting seed or may enter a period of dormancy in colder climates, with the potential to regrow if conditions are favorable in the following season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring to Summer
- Calibrachoa, also known as million bells, can be propagated primarily through softwood stem cuttings, which is a popular method due to its simplicity and effectiveness. This method is best done in late spring or early summer when the plant is actively growing. To propagate by cuttings, a healthy stem without flowers should be selected and snipped just below a leaf node to a length of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 cm). The lower leaves are removed, and the cut end may be dipped in rooting hormone to increase the chances of success. The stem is then planted in a moist potting mix, ensuring a few leaf nodes are below the surface to encourage root growth. The cutting should be kept in indirect sunlight and the soil should be kept consistently moist but not waterlogged. With proper conditions, roots should develop within a few weeks, after which the new plant can be gradually acclimated to the outdoor environment.