All About Superbells® Calibrachoa

Superbells® are a trademarked brand of Calibrachoa aka Million Bells. The Superbells brand is owned by Proven Winners. Million Bells are vibrant, low-maintenance plants known for their abundant, bell-shaped blooms and trailing growth habit. They deliver nonstop color from spring until frost, making them a favorite for hanging baskets, containers, and garden beds. With dozens of colors and patterns available, Superbells add instant charm and long-lasting beauty to any sunny outdoor space.

By: Reggie Meehan (10/1/2025)

Features of Superbells®

Superbells® are prized for their vibrant colors, prolific blooms, and dependable garden performance. Bred for beauty and resilience, they offer a range of standout features that make them a favorite for both novice and experienced gardeners.

Superior Genetics

Superbells® are backed by Proven Winners, a brand renowned for securing the rights to exceptional plant genetics and rebranding them under their trusted umbrella. This means gardeners can be confident they’re getting some of the best-performing Calibrachoa on the market—plants bred for abundant blooms, strong growth, and season-long performance. 

For many years, Proven Winners held what seemed like a clear edge in genetic quality of plants. However, in recent seasons, other growers have made significant advancements in trait-specific breeding—heat tolerance, disease resistance, pollinator attraction, and unique growth habits.

Furthermore, more extensive genetic studies, breeding and publication of trial testing data has many in the industry believing that the genetic gap has narrowed, with several competitors believing they now offer Calibrachoa varieties that rival & surpass the quality of Superbells.

Self Cleaning

Superbells®, like all other commercially available calibrachoa, are naturally self-cleaning. This means that they drop their spent blooms on their own without the need for manual deadheading. This trait keeps the plant looking fresh and tidy while allowing it to put more energy into producing new flowers rather than maintaining old ones. As the faded blooms naturally fall away, Superbells continue to bloom profusely from spring through fall with minimal maintenance.

Exceptional Bloom Density

Superbells® are celebrated for their bloom density, producing many vibrant flowers at a time. This heavy flowering often covers the plant so completely that its foliage is hidden beneath a blanket of color. Each bloom is perfectly formed and consistent in size, creating a uniform, show-stopping display. This abundance means your garden beds, baskets, and containers remain visually stunning from every angle. With such prolific flowering, even a single plant can have a major visual impact.

Vigorous Growth Habit

Superbells® combine strong growth with a naturally tidy form, mounding gracefully before trailing in a balanced, even way. This makes them ideal for hanging baskets, window boxes, and mixed containers, where they cascade beautifully without becoming tangled or leggy. Their branching habit ensures full coverage and a lush, well-rounded look. Whether used as a “spiller” in arrangements or planted solo, they fill their space elegantly without overtaking other plants. This vigorous yet controlled growth is one reason they remain a favorite among gardeners.

Heat Tolerance

Unlike many annuals that falter in midsummer heat, Superbells® keep right on blooming through the hottest days. They are bred to withstand high temperatures without losing flower quality, color vibrancy, or foliage health. Even in full sun, their blooms remain vivid, and the plant maintains its form without wilting or excessive stress. This heat endurance makes them a reliable choice for southern gardens or sunny patio spaces. With proper watering, they perform beautifully all summer long, even in challenging climates.

Low Maintenance

Superbells® are a dream for gardeners who want maximum beauty with minimal effort. They require no deadheading thanks to their self-cleaning blooms, and their growth habit rarely demands heavy pruning. Naturally resistant to many common garden pests, they are less likely to suffer from insect damage or disease. Occasional feeding and regular watering are usually all that’s needed to keep them at peak performance. This low-maintenance nature makes them especially appealing for busy gardeners or those seeking easy-care container plants.

Long Bloom Season

One of the biggest advantages of Superbells® is their ability to bloom continuously from spring all the way to the first frost. With the right care—full sun, consistent moisture, and regular feeding—they rarely take a break from flowering. This extended bloom period ensures a steady splash of color in your outdoor spaces for months on end. Gardeners can rely on them for season-long interest without gaps in performance. Whether planted in beds or containers, they remain one of the most dependable sources of continuous color in the garden.

Best Varieties of Superbells®

Over the past 20+ years, we’ve trialed countless Superbells® varieties in our own gardens and observed their performance in different conditions. We’ve also kept a close eye on the top-scoring varieties from trial gardens across the country, where plants are evaluated for bloom coverage, uniformity, vigor, and other factors.

This experience and data allow us to confidently recommend the very best Superbells varieties for exceptional garden performance year after year. Of the 42 different Superbell varieties listed on the Proven Winner website, the following 12 achieved trial data ratings from 4.8 to 5.0, which makes them superior in our estimation:

• Superbells Black Currant Punch - 4.8 (Raker, 2019)

• Superbells Coral Sun - 4.75 (Penn State, 2022)

• Superbells Double Amber - 4.75 (Penn State, 2021)

• Superbells Magic Double Grapefruit - 4.8 (Raker, 2025) 

• Superbells Double Smitten Pink - 4.94 (UGA, 2025)

• Superbells Double Twilight - 4.83 (Penn State, 2023)

• Superbells Double Vintage Coral - 4.96 (Penn State, 2025)

• Superbells Double Yellow - 4.87 (UGA, 2022)

• Superbells Grape Punch - 5 (Raker, 2022)

• Superbells Pink - 4.8 (UGA, 2023)

• Superbells Prism Pink Lemonade - 4.94 (UGA, 2022)

• Superbells Watermelon Punch - 5 (Raker, 2019)

This does not mean that these Superbells are the only good quality varieties. Instead, this means that these listed Superbells have been independently tested and independently rated and have achieved the highest quantifiable rankings among Superbells. For example, Lemon Slice Superbells is the most popular Superbell searched on the internet. And, while there are no searchable trial data on Lemon Slice, due to its unique coloration and its popularity, we believe Lemon Slice is an honorable mention and so we have mentioned it.

We would be remiss if we failed to mention that other calibrachoa have comparable superior rankings from 4.8 to 5.0. For example, the Cha Cha series of Calibrachoa offer, as of 2025, 15 varieties of Calibrachoa and 12 have rankings from 4.8 to 5.0. The Mini-Famous variety of Calibrachoa has as many as 80 varieties and 5 series (uno, evo, neo, oro and doubles) and 25 have rankings from 4.8 to 5.0. The Chameleon series of Calibrachoa have 16 varieties according to the Westhoff website and 8 have rankings from 4.8 to 5.0. You can read more about our Calibrachoa rankings on our Calibrachoa page.

Frequently Asked Questions About Superbells

Do Deer and Rabbits Eat Superbells?

Superbells are generally considered deer-resistant due to their slightly sticky foliage and unappealing texture, but hungry deer may nibble if food is scarce. Rabbits typically avoid them as well, though there are no guarantees. For the best protection, especially in high-pressure areas, pair them with other resistant plants or use a safe repellent.

Are Superbells Toxic to Cats and Dogs?

Superbells are not known to be toxic to cats or dogs according to the ASPCA. However, ingestion of large amounts could cause mild stomach upset simply from plant matter. While they are considered pet-safe, it’s still best to discourage chewing to protect both the plant and your pets.

Do Hummingbirds like Superbells?

Hummingbirds are naturally drawn to Superbells for their tubular flowers, which are ideal for sipping nectar. Bright colors like red, pink, orange, and magenta tend to be especially attractive. Planting them in hanging baskets or near other hummingbird-friendly plants can help encourage more visits.

Are Superbells Annuals or Perennials?

Superbells® (Calibrachoa) are tender perennials in USDA Zones 9–11 but are grown as annuals in most climates because they cannot survive a hard frost. In warm, frost-free regions, they can bloom year-round and return each season. In colder areas, they die back in winter and are replanted each spring. Lemon Slice and all other Superbells varieties follow the same pattern. If you want them to last in cooler climates, you can overwinter them indoors in bright light.

How are Superbells Related to Supertunias?

Superbells® and Supertunias® are both trademarked plant series from Proven Winners, but they come from two different—yet closely related—genera. Superbells are Calibrachoa, known for their smaller, bell-shaped blooms and trailing habit, while Supertunias are Petunia hybrids with larger flowers and a slightly different growth structure.

What to Plant with Superbells?

Pair Superbells with other sun-loving annuals such as verbena, petunias, bacopa, or lantana for a vibrant, mixed display. They also work well with ornamental grasses and trailing foliage plants like sweet potato vine. Choose companions with similar light and watering needs.

Why Are My Superbells Dying / Not Blooming?

Superbells may decline due to overwatering, poor drainage, insufficient sunlight, insufficient watering, or nutrient deficiencies. Root rot from soggy soil is a common cause of plant death. Sparse blooms often mean the plant needs more light or regular watering/feeding. Bud drop does occur when plants are repeatedly dried out. Note also that bud worms are a prominent problem with calibrachoa. 

Trim back any straggly growth, improve conditions, and feed with a balanced fertilizer to revive performance. In cases of bud worms, spraying with Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt) will eradicate the caterpillars and worms eating your tender buds but not affect your beneficial insects.