Photo: Agustina MedinaCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Million Bells Plant Care
Calibrachoa ovalifolia (Miers) Stehmann & J.Semir
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This stunning plant is known for its bright purple trumpet-shaped flowers and trailing habit, making it perfect for hanging baskets or containers. Originating from South America, specifically Brazil, Calibrachoa ovalifolia is highly sought after by plant collectors for its vibrant colors and long blooming season.
Every 2–4 days
Full sun to part shade
60–80°F
50–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Million Bells?
Water Million Bells every 2–4 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to part shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 50–70% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season.
What Is the Million Bells?
Million Bells (Calibrachoa ovalifolia) belongs to the Solanaceae family within the Calibrachoa genus. Million Bells is native to Brazil, Uruguay. Million Bells is also known as Mini Petunia.
Million Bells displays a trailing, spreading growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Million Bells produces abundant small petunia-like flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 1 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Million Bells?
Calibrachoa ovalifolia requires watering every 2–4 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 2–4 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Million Bells Need?
Million Bells thrives in full sun to part shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to part shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Million Bells Prefer?
Calibrachoa ovalifolia grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Million Bells prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
50–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Million Bells?
Well-draining, fertile soil mix with added perlite for improved drainage. Good drainage is essential for Million Bells to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Million Bells?
Feed Million Bells every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Million Bells?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Million Bells?
Million Bells can be propagated through stem cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to calibrachoa elegans plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Million Bells Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Million Bells, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Million Bells?
Million Bells is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Million Bells Need?
Million Bells grows outdoors in USDA Zone 9a – 11b. It survives winters down to planting zone 9a. Million Bells is native to Brazil, Uruguay. In cooler regions, grow Million Bells as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 9a – 11b
Keep exploring plants
Million Bells is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Calibrachoa genus — compare its care with other Calibrachoa species on PlantoScan.
Calibrachoa is part of the Solanaceae plant family — browse all Solanaceae genera and species.
Million Bells thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
Related Plant Care Guides
Closely related plants with similar care requirements:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Calibrachoa ovalifolia (Miers) Stehmann & J.Semir, family Solanaceae (first published in Novon 7(4): 419. 1998 (1997)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Million Bells, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: Agustina Medina, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 9a – 11b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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