Are Calibrachoa & Petunia The Same Plant?

Have you ever wondered if Calibrachoa and Petunias 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.

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.

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."

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.

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.

Gardeners particularly 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. Its combination of beauty, resilience, and low maintenance has made it a favorite for both beginner and experienced gardeners.

Key Differences Between Petunia & 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

Their growth habits also set them apart. Calibrachoa has a trailing or cascading growth pattern, making it ideal for hanging baskets and window boxes. In contrast, Petunias can vary more significantly, with some varieties growing upright and others spreading. Wave Petunias and some Supertunias, for example, have a vigorous spreading habit with larger flowers. Calibrachoa plants also tend to stay more compact, typically reaching 6-12 inches tall, while Petunias can grow much larger, with some varieties exceeding 18 inches in height. This makes Petunias a better choice for garden beds where a larger floral display is desired, while Calibrachoa works well for trailing effects and smaller spaces.

Care & 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 an excellent choice for gardeners seeking a low-maintenance, continuous bloomer that requires minimal upkeep. It is self-cleaning, meaning spent flowers drop off naturally without the need for deadheading, making it perfect for those wanting vibrant color with little effort. Calibrachoa’s cascading growth habit makes it ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, and container gardens where trailing plants create soft, flowing displays. Though its flowers are smaller than Petunias, their dense coverage and abundance provide a full, colorful effect throughout the season. This plant thrives in well-draining soil and prefers consistent moisture, but the hue gradients and the perfect multi-colored designs of these Calibrachoa are literally stunning.

Choose Petunia If...

Petunias are best suited for gardeners who want larger, eye-catching blooms that create a bold statement in garden beds and borders. Their trumpet-shaped flowers can be significantly larger than Calibrachoa’s, making them ideal for high-impact floral displays where size matters. Petunias offer a versatile range of growth habits, with upright, mounded, and trailing varieties available to suit different planting needs. They bloom prolifically and will self clean (except for the old-fashioned varieties).

Petunias also come in a broader range of colors and patterns, including rare hues like royal and deep blue, black, and even multi-toned star patterns, offering endless design possibilities. They also hold their own when competing against bullies in containers or vigorous growers in garden beds, such as Sweet Potato Vine.

Choose Petchoa If...

Petchoa, a hybrid between Calibrachoa and Petunia, is the perfect choice for those seeking the best of both worlds. This hybrid combines the large, vibrant blooms of Petunias with the low-maintenance, self-cleaning traits of Calibrachoa. Petchoas are known for their exceptional disease resistance, particularly against common fungal issues like powdery mildew, making them a more resilient option compared to traditional Petunias. They also produce a diverse range of colors, often with bold patterns and veining, adding unique visual interest to gardens and containers. With a growth habit that balances between mounded and cascading, Petchoas work well in both garden beds and hanging baskets, providing both volume and color. If you’re looking for a stunning, low-maintenance option that offers both beauty and reliability, Petchoa is a standout choice for modern gardens.

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!