What to Plant with Calibrachoa
Commonly known as Million Bells, Calibrachoa is a vibrant, cascading flowering plant often used in containers, hanging baskets, and garden borders. To create visually stunning arrangements and promote healthy growth, choosing the right companion plants is essential. This Garden Blog will explore the best options for what to plant with Calibrachoa.
By: Reggie Meehan (6/16/2025) - Last Updated (2/8/2026)
How to Combine Calibrachoa with Other Plants
I’ve always said Calibrachoa is one of those plants that plays well with just about everyone, as long as you give it the right setup. Start with well-draining soil that’s been amended with organic matter—this keeps roots healthy and blooms coming strong. Make sure you’re spacing things properly, too. Crowded containers might look full on day one, but they’ll struggle once plants spread. Good airflow makes a big difference in keeping plants clean and happy. Lasty, only plant Calibrachoa in full sun.
Color Combinations
Color is where Calibrachoa really shines, and this is one of my favorite parts of designing containers. If you want something calm and polished, stick to a single color family—different shades of purple or pink layered together always look elegant and intentional. When I’m feeling bold, I love pairing Calibrachoa with complementary colors. Purples next to yellows or oranges instantly wake up a pot and make it pop from across the patio. For gardeners who like a little energy without chaos, a three-color mix works beautifully—think red, yellow, and blue tones balanced together. When done right, Calibrachoa acts like the glue that pulls the whole color story together without ever stealing the show.
Growth Habits
One of the biggest mistakes I see when people mix plants is ignoring how they actually grow over time. Calibrachoa has a naturally trailing habit. In containers and baskets, I like Calibrachoa filling the container, while taller plants provide the focal point, and spilling plants trail over the edge. Each plant gets its moment, and nothing feels crowded or stressed as the season goes on.
Sunlight and Watering Needs
Sun and water preferences matter just as much as looks when you’re combining plants. Calibrachoa really shines in full sun, ideally six or more hours a day, and it prefers consistent moisture without sitting in soggy soil. When companion plants want the same conditions, care becomes simple and predictable. That’s why it pairs so easily with plants like Petunias and Lantana. Everyone’s happy with the same sunlight and watering routine. When all the plants in a container agree on what they need, the whole planting stays healthier and blooms better with less effort.
The 5 Best Companions For Calibrachoa
The best companion plants for Calibrachoa all share similar sunlight and watering needs while offering complementary growth habits and colors. Each of these plants enhances the visual impact of Calibrachoa while ensuring a balanced and thriving garden display.
Petunias
Petunias make an excellent companion for Calibrachoa because they share similar care requirements, thriving in full sun with moderate watering and well-draining soil. Their larger, trumpet-shaped blooms contrast beautifully with the smaller, bell-shaped flowers of Calibrachoa, creating a balanced and eye-catching display. Available in a vast range of colors, from soft pastels to bold, saturated hues, Petunias can be used to create monochromatic schemes or bold contrasts.
The Cabaret® Series is an excellent choice for mixing with Petunias, especially when you want strong contrast without overwhelming the container. For example, the rich, dark blooms of Cabaret® Midnight Kiss provide visual depth that anchors brighter or lighter Petunia colors, allowing both plants to stand out clearly. The result is a polished, high-impact container that looks intentional and cohesive from early planting through peak summer.
Lobelia
Lobelia is a lovely companion for Calibrachoa when you want a softer contrast without losing color impact. Those delicate blue or purple blooms have a light, airy quality that really stands out against Calibrachoa’s brighter, bolder flowers. The combination feels balanced instead of busy, which is something I always aim for in mixed plantings. It wants the same basic conditions, full sun and well-drained soil, so you’re not juggling different care needs. Its fine texture helps fill in gaps between plants, keeping containers and beds looking full instead of patchy.
For bold, high-contrast containers, I’ve consistently found that Superbells® Varieties pair exceptionally well with blue Lobelia, creating a crisp, graphic color combination that reads clean and intentional even from a distance. One standout combination I still come back to was a pot I did back in 2020 using Superbells® Lemon Slice, deep blue Lobelia, and a single Silver Falls Dichondra cascading over the edge. The sharp yellow-and-white pattern of Lemon Slice provided instant contrast, the Lobelia added cool saturation and depth, and the silver foliage softened the entire planting just enough to keep it from feeling harsh—proof that strong contrast, when balanced correctly, can feel both striking and refined.
Lobularia / Sweet Alyssum
Lobularia, better known as Sweet Alyssum, is one of my favorite companion plants for Calibrachoa because it adds so much without ever demanding attention. Its low, spreading habit creates a gentle carpet of tiny white, pink, or purple flowers that feels light and airy, almost like a soft cloud tucked in around bolder blooms. That contrast works beautifully with Calibrachoa, which brings stronger color and a more defined presence to the mix.
If you’re creating a soft, romantic planter, Superbells® Doublette Love Swept makes an ideal anchor with its gentle blush tones and delicately layered blooms. Paired with White Lobularia (Sweet Alyssum) for airy, cloud-like softness and Pink Geraniums for subtle structure and height, the combination feels light, elegant, and naturally balanced. Together, these varieties create a refined, layered look that’s calming and graceful—perfect for containers where you want beauty without bold contrast.
Verbena
The low-growing, spreading habit and clusters of small, colorful flowers of Annual Verbena make it a perfect match for Calibrachoa. It shares a love for full sun, moderate watering, and well-drained soil, ensuring both plants thrive with minimal care. Verbena's continuous blooming throughout the season pairs well with Calibrachoa’s long-lasting flowers, keeping containers or garden beds vibrant for months.
Trailing, colorful verbena pairs exceptionally well with white Calibrachoa, especially Colibri® Pure White, because it brings vibrant color and movement without overwhelming the planting. The clean, crisp white blooms of Colibri Pure White act as a visual reset, allowing verbena’s purples, pinks, or reds to read brighter and more saturated by contrast. Both plants share a similar trailing habit and sun-loving nature, so they weave together naturally in containers, hanging baskets, or borders without one dominating the other. The result is a balanced, high-impact combination that feels lively and colorful, yet still polished and cohesive throughout the season.
Geranium
Geraniums offer a bold, upright contrast to the trailing nature of Calibrachoa. Their large, rounded flower clusters provide a dramatic focal point in mixed planters while blending harmoniously with Calibrachoa’s smaller blooms. The combination of Geranium’s vertical growth and Calibrachoa’s cascading habit creates a balanced design ideal for container gardening. Like Calibrachoa, Geraniums prefer full sun and well-draining soil, making them easy to care for together. They also come in a wide range of colors, including reds, pinks, and whites, giving plenty of options for creative pairings.
Create Stunning Displays with Calibrachoa
Choosing the right companion plants for Calibrachoa can transform your garden or container into a vibrant, thriving display. Pair Calibrachoa with Petunias, Lobelia, or Verbena for a visually stunning effect while ensuring similar care requirements for all plants. By following these planting tips, you can create a beautiful and healthy garden space with Calibrachoa at its heart.