Million Bells Calibrachoa Hula Lavender (Hula Series)

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

Calibrachoa Hula Lavender, often referred to by its most popular common name, Million Bells, is a stunningly attractive flowering plant. It presents a vibrant display with its small, petunia-like blossoms. The flowers of this Million Bells variety feature a radiant lavender hue that has the power to catch an onlooker's eye. What's more, the throats of these blossoms exhibit a distinctive pattern akin to a star, colored in a vivid yellow that contrasts beautifully with the lavender petals, creating a visual spectacle reminiscent of a Hawaiian Hula dancer's vibrant garb. The foliage of the plant is a lush green, and the leaves are small, providing a delicate backdrop that further accentuates the profusion of flowers. The foliage tends to be of a dense nature, giving the plant a full, bushy appearance. The Million Bells Hula Lavender, with its trailing habit, spills over the edges of its container or hanging basket, presenting a cascading effect that is particularly striking. This characteristic makes it an ideal choice for adding a splash of color to elevated displays. Overall, the allure of Calibrachoa Hula Lavender comes from its continuous, prolific blooming through the growing season, the exceptional color blending on its flowers, and its elegant, trailing growth habit. This combination of features makes it a beloved choice for gardeners looking to infuse a dynamic and spirited vibrancy into their garden spaces without necessarily considering the plant's specific dimensions.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Solanaceae
- Synonyms
  Mini Petunia, Million Bells
- Common names
  Calibrachoa Hula Lavender
Toxicity
- To humans
  Calibrachoa, commonly known as million bells, is not known to be toxic to humans. If ingested, it is unlikely to cause any symptoms of poisoning. However, ingesting any plant material may potentially cause gastrointestinal discomfort due to the unusual material in the digestive system. It is generally advisable to avoid eating ornamental plants as a precaution.
- To pets
  Million bells, the common name for Calibrachoa, is also not known to be toxic to pets. It is considered to be non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. Ingesting the plant is unlikely to lead to symptoms of poisoning. Nonetheless, consumption of any non-food plants can potentially cause mild gastrointestinal upset in pets, such as vomiting or diarrhea, which usually resolves without the need for medical treatment. If a pet ingests a significant amount of the plant and shows signs of distress, a veterinarian should be consulted.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Annuals
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Lavender
- Height
  10-12 inches (25-30 cm)
- Spread
  12-14 inches (30-35 cm)
- Plant type
  Herb
- Hardiness zones
  9-11
- Native area
  South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Blooms - Calibrachoa, commonly known as million bells, produces vibrant lavender-coloured flowers that add aesthetic appeal to gardens and landscapes.
- Continuous Flowering - Million bells are known for their long blooming period, providing color from spring to fall.
- Low Maintenance - These plants are relatively easy to care for, requiring minimal pruning and deadheading.
- Drought Tolerance - Once established, they are fairly tolerant to dry conditions, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Pest Resistance - Million bells have a natural resistance to many common garden pests, reducing the need for pesticides.
- Compact Growth - With its compact growth habit, it is suitable for small spaces, containers, and hanging baskets.
- Versatility - They can be used in a variety of garden settings, from borders and edgings to mass plantings.
- Attracts Pollinators - The flowers can attract hummingbirds and butterflies, promoting pollination in the garden.
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
- Natural Insect Repellent: Calibrachoa can be planted near outdoor seating areas to help repel certain insects, thanks to its subtle fragrance that some pests find unattractive.
- Art and Craft Projects: The colorful blossoms of Calibrachoa can be used in pressed flower projects or to make natural dyes for fabrics and papers.
- Photography Subject: With its vibrant colors, Calibrachoa makes a great subject for macro photography, allowing photographers to capture the intricate details of the flowers.
- Education: This plant can be used in gardening workshops or horticulture classes to teach about plant care, propagation, and hybrid varieties in the Hula series.
- Garden Design: Calibrachoa is suitable for creating patterns and designs in container gardens and hanging baskets due to its trailing growth habit.
- Companion Planting: Gardeners may use Calibrachoa as a companion plant to vegetables to attract pollinators which can help increase the yield of vegetable crops.
- Culinary Garnish: Although not a common edible, the flowers can occasionally be used as a non-toxic decorative garnish for salads and desserts.
- Themed Gardens: Calibrachoa can be utilized in creating themed gardens, such as butterfly gardens or purple color-themed landscapes due to its appealing color and pollinator attraction.
- Wedding Decor: Its flowers can be incorporated into wedding bouquets or venue decorations for a natural touch of lavender, which symbolizes elegance and grace.
- Gift Plant: Potted Calibrachoa plants can serve as living gifts for occasions such as housewarmings or Mother’s Day, offering a long-lasting alternative to cut flowers.

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
- Grace: The Calibrachoa's soft, gentle hues often symbolize gracefulness and elegance, mirroring the delicate balance of nature.
- Positivity: The vibrant colors and the plant's tendency to bloom prolifically can represent a positive outlook and the ability to thrive in various conditions.
- Friendship: Given as a gift, Calibrachoa can symbolize a strong, enduring friendship, much like the plant's lasting blooms.
- Admiration: With its captivating colors, Calibrachoa may express admiration towards someone special, similarly to how its beauty catches the eye.
- New Opportunities: The prolific growth and spreading habit of the plant can symbolize the embracing of new opportunities and adventures.

💧

Every 1-2 days

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Early Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
Milliflora petunias, like those in the Calibrachoa Hula Lavender series, should be watered carefully to avoid oversaturation, as they prefer well-drained soil. It's generally best to water these plants when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. Depending on weather conditions, this may mean watering once every few days, especially in hot, dry weather. Aim to provide enough water to moisten the soil without waterlogging it, which might be approximately one gallon for a large hanging basket every week in peak summer conditions. During cooler or overcast periods, reduce the frequency accordingly to prevent root rot.
Light
Milliflora petunias like Calibrachoa Hula Lavender thrive best in full sun conditions, meaning they need at least six hours of direct sunlight daily to flourish. Place them in a spot in your garden or on your patio where they can receive unfiltered sunlight for the majority of the day. However, in very hot climates, some afternoon shade can help protect them from excessive heat that might stress the plants.
Temperature
Milliflora petunias such as the Calibrachoa Hula Lavender perform best in moderate to warm temperatures, typically between 55 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit. They can tolerate slightly cooler nights down to about 50 degrees Fahrenheit but should be protected from frost, which can be damaging. The ideal growing temperature range for these plants is around the 70s to low 80s during the day.
Pruning
Pruning milliflora petunias such as the Calibrachoa Hula Lavender helps to encourage bushier growth and more flowers. It's best to prune or pinch back the stems occasionally, removing the tips and the first set of leaves. This can be done every few weeks during the growing season. The best time to prune is in the late spring or early summer when the plants are actively growing and after any risk of frost has passed.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
Million Bells thrive in well-draining, fertile potting mix with a pH of 5.5 to 6.0. A mixture of peat moss, perlite, and compost works well for maintaining aeration and moisture.
Repotting
Million Bells should be repotted annually to replenish nutrients and prevent root-bound conditions, typically when new growth begins in spring.
Humidity & Misting
Million Bells prefer moderate humidity but are adaptable to various conditions, benefitting most from natural outdoor humidity levels without special requirements.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Ensure bright light, avoid overwatering, fertilize monthly.
- Outdoor
  Plant in full sun, use well-draining soil, water regularly.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA.
Life cycle
The Calibrachoa 'Hula Lavender' begins its life cycle when its small, pelleted seeds are sown in warm, well-draining soil where they germinate, typically within a week or two with adequate moisture and temperatures around 70-75°F (21-24°C). After seedlings emerge, they enter the vegetative stage, developing a compact, bushy habit with lush, green foliage. As they mature, the plants enter a rapid growth phase, producing prolific trailing stems that make them popular for hanging baskets and containers. Following vegetative growth, the plants initiate flowering, displaying an abundance of trumpet-shaped lavender flowers with a contrasting dark throat; this stage can last from spring through fall with proper care. Throughout their flowering period, they continue to set new buds and bloom, requiring regular deadheading to maintain vigor and aesthetic appeal. At the end of their annual or perennial cycle, depending on the climate, the plants set seed or can be propagated through cuttings before eventually succumbing to frost or dying back to be rejuvenated the following season.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Early Summer
- The Calibrachoa, often known as 'million bells,' is a perennial plant typically propagated in the spring. Its propagation is mainly done through cuttings. To propagate Calibrachoa 'million bells' using cuttings, one would take a 3 to 6 inch (approximately 7.6 to 15.2 cm) long stem cutting from a healthy parent plant. This cutting should contain at least two sets of leaves. The lower leaves are then removed and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to encourage root growth. The cutting is then planted in a well-draining soil mix and kept under high humidity and indirect light until roots develop, which generally takes about 4 to 6 weeks. After the roots are established, it can be transplanted to its final location.