How to Grow Million Bells: Your Guide to Trailing Petunias (2024)

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Million Bells are hybrid plants that produce few to no seeds. Purchasing plants or growing cuttings vegetatively (from an existing plant, unless such propagation is prohibited by trademark law) is recommended. Take a 6-inch cutting that is flower-free and remove the leaves from the bottom half. Dip the cut end in rooting hormone and plant in potting mix. Provide bright light and warm temperatures (about 70°F) and keep the soil consistently moist; roots should develop in 2 to 4weeks.

When planting purchased plants or transplanting cuttings, provide potting mix amended with compost and/or
aged manure and peat moss (if desired). If using potting mix that does not contain fertilizer, add in a slow-release formula at the time of planting. A pH of from 5.0 to 6.5 is crucial: This plant will not thrive in soil with a pH that is outside thisrange.

Move outdoors when the threat of frost haspassed.

Million Bells require full sun (at least 6 hours per day); while they tolerate light shade, their production diminishes as shadeincreases.

Water regularly to keep the soil moist but not soggy. Trailing petunia is somewhat drought-tolerant but check it often in hot, dry weather by pushing a finger 1 inch into the soil: If it is dry, water enough to be damp to moist. Between waterings, allow the soil to dry out. Wilting can be a sign of root rot, caused byoverwatering.

Fertilize every 2 weeks with a balancedproduct.

Pinch back tips to encourage branching and flowers. Deadheading is not necessary, as Million Bells cleans itself. In midseason, if desired, encourage new growth/rejuvenation by cutting backbranches.

Numerous collections and series of trademarked trailing petunias have been produced, including the ones listed below. When purchasing, always be sure that you have the “trailing”type.

• Calibrachoa Aloha Kona series ‘Pineapple’: yellowflowers
• C. Cabaret series ‘Good Night Kiss’: pink-purpleflowers
• C. Cruze series ‘White Pink Eye’: white flowers with pinkthroats
• C. Kabloom series ‘Denim’: blueflowers
• C. MiniFamous Neo series ‘Vampire’: redflowers
• C. Superbells series ‘Lemon Slice’: white-and-yellow pinwheelflowers

Jennifer Keating