Petunia vs Calibrachoa vs Petchoa

Have you ever wondered if Calibrachoa and Petunia are the same plant? You’re not alone. These two garden favorites look so similar that many gardeners confuse them. While they’re related, Calibrachoa and Petunias are distinct plants with key differences in appearance, care, and growth habits. In this Garden Blog, we will explore the similarities, differences, and much much more about these two iconic plants.

By: Reggie Meehan (5/14/2025) - Last Updated (2/8/2026)

Why Petunia & Calibrachoa Are Often Confused

Despite their genetic differences, Petunias and Calibrachoas share many physical similarities, which is why they’re often confused. Both plants belong to the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family and have trumpet-shaped flowers available in a rainbow of colors. Their shared family lineage is why garden centers frequently group them together. While Petunias typically produce larger blooms with more varied shapes, Calibrachoas are recognized for their smaller, denser flowers, often marketed as "Mini Petunias."

Petunias were first discovered in the early 1800s in Argentina and were quickly introduced to Europe. Their large, vibrant flowers captured the attention of horticulturists, leading to extensive hybridization to produce the wide range of colors and patterns we see today. Calibrachoas, on the other hand, were initially thought to be a type of Petunia due to their similar appearance. However, advances in genetic research revealed that Calibrachoas are a distinct genus, leading to their formal classification as Calibrachoa hybrida.

The confusion between Petunias and Calibrachoas is further compounded by marketing practices and plant tags. Retail garden centers sometimes label Calibrachoas as "Million Bells" or "Mini Petunias" due to their visual resemblance. This branding can mislead gardeners into thinking they’re purchasing a Petunia variety. Additionally, hybridization efforts, like the creation of the Petchoa (a cross between a Petunia and Calibrachoa), blur the distinctions even further, offering a plant with traits of both.

Multicolor Petunias with bold green foliage

Comparison Chart: Calibrachoa vs. Petunia

Category	Calibrachoa	Petunia
Scientific Name	Calibrachoa hybrida	Petunia hybrida
Family Name	Solanaceae (Nightshade)	Solanaceae (Nightshade)
Flower Size	Small, bell-shaped flowers from ½” to 2” where most average ~1” in diameter.	Larger, more dramatic blooms to as wide as 4-5”, with trumpet-shaped flowers. Some true mini-petunias are as small as calibrachoa.
Growth Habit, Compact Nature	Mounding and trailing growth. Tend to be more compact on average. Suited for baskets & containers, less suited for garden beds.	Upright, mounding and trailing growth. Can be compact or vigorous and spreading. Suited for baskets, containers, and garden beds where vigorous growth is desired.
Competitiveness	Can be overrun by stronger growers.	Petunias are thugs and will overrun weaker plants in containers. They can also hold their own in a garden bed against vigorous growers.
Color Range	Most colors and bi-colors. Few deep/royal blue varieties and no black varieties yet. Many with gradient hues and multi-colored perfect patterns.	Most colors and bi-colors. Black and blue are available. Less orange and mixed orange varieties. Some simple patterns and some with irregular coloration.
Maintenance	Low maintenance; does not require deadheading due to self-cleaning blooms.	Most do not require deadheading due to self-cleaning blooms. Only old-fashioned varieties require deadheading. This ain’t your grandma’s petunia!
Hardiness	Can survive mild frost. This plant can be a root hardy in Zone 8.	Will survive mild frost and can survive hard frost. This plant can be root hardy in Zone 7.
Waterwise Issues	Foliage will yellow and blooms may lapse when exposed to overly dry conditions	Plants tend to recover when exposed to overly dry conditions without lapse of blooms or discoloration of foliage.
Pest & Disease Resistance	More likely to attract spider mites, thrips and aphids than Petunia.	Less issues with spider mites, thrips and aphids than Calibrachoa.

Petchoa: A Calibrachoa-Petunia Cross

A Petchoa is a hybrid between Calibrachoa and Petunia, designed to combine the most desirable features of both plants. It offers the larger, showy blooms characteristic and hardiness of Petunias while maintaining the compactness of Calibrachoa. I really appreciate Petchoa for its vibrant floral display, making it perfect for containers, hanging baskets, and garden beds. Beyond its stunning appearance, Petchoa also provides improved disease resistance compared to traditional Petunias, making it a hardier choice for home gardens.

Key Differences Between Petunia and Calibrachoa

Calibrachoa and Petunias, while both members of the Solanaceae (Nightshade) family, differ significantly due to their classification in separate genera. Petunias belong to the Petunia genus, while Calibrachoa belongs to the Calibrachoa genus, making them genetically distinct despite their similar appearance.

Flower Size / Shape

A key difference lies in their flower size and shape, Calibrachoa produces smaller, bell-shaped blooms, while Petunias are known for their larger, trumpet-like flowers. The flowers of Calibrachoa typically measure under an inch in diameter, whereas Petunia blooms can reach up to 5 inches, depending on the variety. The variety of flower colors differ slightly, with Petunias often displaying bolder and more expansive, while Calibrachoa flowers frequently exhibit a gradient effect with multiple hues and stunning multi-color patterns.

Growth Habit

Growth habit is one of the easiest ways to tell Calibrachoa and Petunias apart, and it often determines where each one shines best. Calibrachoa naturally trails and cascades, which makes it a perfect fit for hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers where you want that soft, flowing effect over the edges. It tends to stay more compact overall, usually topping out around 6 to 12 inches tall.

Petunias are more variable. Some grow upright and mounded, while others like Wave® Petunias and Supertunias® spread aggressively and cover a lot of ground with much larger flowers. Many Petunias can easily exceed 18 inches in height and spread even wider, which makes them a better choice for garden beds or large containers where a bold, expansive floral display is the goal. When space is limited or a trailing look is desired, Calibrachoa usually has the advantage.

Care and Maintenance

When it comes to care and maintenance, Calibrachoa is often considered lower maintenance than Petunias because uneducated people still believe that deadheading Petunias is still necessary. But, this is untrue. Both Calibrachoa and Petunias are self-cleaning, meaning spent blooms naturally fall off. Only the old fashioned Petunias require dead-heading.

Soil preferences also differ slightly; Calibrachoa thrives in well-draining, consistently moist soil, whereas Petunias are more tolerant of dry conditions and can handle occasional drought stress once established. Additionally, Petunias generally have a stronger pest resistance, because the softer, smoother leaves and stems of Calibrachoa are more attractive to pests. Again, old-fashioned Petunias are more prone to common garden pests because they have not been genetically modified for pest and disease resistance like the newer Peturnia hybrids on the market.

How to Choose Between Calibrachoa and Petunia

Selecting the right plant for your garden depends on your gardening goals, maintenance preferences, and the space you're working with. Here’s how to decide between Calibrachoa, Petunias, and their hybrid, Petchoa.

Choose Calibrachoa If...

Calibrachoa is one of my favorite recommendations for gardeners who want nonstop color without a lot of maintenance. It’s naturally self-cleaning, so spent blooms drop on their own, which means no constant deadheading and very little fuss. That alone makes it a great choice for busy gardeners who still want their containers and baskets looking full and fresh all season long.

Its cascading habit is where Calibrachoa really shines. It’s perfect for hanging baskets, window boxes, and containers where you want plants to spill and soften the edges. While the flowers are smaller than Petunias, they make up for it in sheer numbers. The blooms stack up densely, creating a full, colorful display from Spring straight through Fall. When everything’s in sync, Calibrachoa delivers effortless beauty that just keeps going.

White and Purple Calibrachoa against green foliage

Choose Petunia If...

Petunias are the go-to choice when you want big, bold flowers that truly make a statement. Their trumpet-shaped blooms are noticeably larger than Calibrachoa’s, which makes them perfect for garden beds, borders, and containers where visual impact is the goal. Modern petunias bloom heavily and, for the most part, clean up after themselves, so you’re not constantly pinching spent flowers like we used to with the old-fashioned types. The color range is another big advantage.

One thing I’ve learned over the years is that Petunias can hold their ground. In mixed containers or garden beds, they don’t get pushed around by more aggressive plants. Even next to vigorous growers like Sweet Potato Vine, Petunias stay strong and continue flowering, which makes them a dependable anchor in bold, high-energy plantings.

Choose Petchoa If...

If you want big impact without high maintenance, Petchoa is one of those plants I confidently recommend again and again. As a hybrid between Calibrachoa and Petunia, it really does bring the best traits of both. You get those larger, showy blooms people expect from petunias, paired with the self-cleaning, lower-maintenance nature of Calibrachoa—which means less fuss and more consistent color.

What really sets Petchoa apart for me is its resilience. It holds up better against common issues like powdery mildew, which can be a constant headache with traditional petunias, especially in humid summers. The colors are another big win—rich tones, bold patterns, and striking veining that add depth and personality to containers and beds. Growth-wise, Petchoa hits a sweet spot. It’s not overly aggressive, but it fills in beautifully with a habit that lands somewhere between mounded and cascading.

White Petchoa blooms with Yellow centers

Which Bloom Suits Your Style?

While Calibrachoa and Petunias may look alike, they have distinct differences. Calibrachoa is ideal for hanging baskets, thanks to its self-cleaning ability and trailing growth. Petunias are perfect for bold, colorful garden displays. If you’re looking for a combination of both, try Petchoa — a hybrid that offers the best of both plants. Now that you understand the differences, which will you choose for your garden? Calibrachoa, Petunia, or maybe Petchoa? The choice is yours!