Botanical Name: Calibrachoa × hybrida ‘Cabaret® Midnight Kiss’ Common Name: Calibrachoa, Million Bells Hardiness Zone: Grown as an Annual in Most Climates Size: 6–10" Tall × 12–18" Spread Growth Habit: Trailing, Mounding, Well-Branched Habit Sunlight: Thrives in Full Sun Soil: Prefers Well-Drained, Fertile Soil Water Needs: Moderate; Allow Slight Drying Between Waterings Bloom Season: Spring through Frost Fertilizer: Regular Feeding with a Balanced or Slightly Acidic Fertilizer Features: Deep Red to Burgundy Blooms with Bright Yellow Star-Shaped Centers, Heavy Flower Coverage, Excellent Heat Tolerance, Self-Cleaning Uses: Ideal for Hanging Baskets, Containers, Window Boxes, and High-Impact Summer Displays Patent: ✔ Patented Propagation: ❌ Propagation Prohibited Without License

See our complete Calibrachoa Plant Guide for more in-depth care details.

More About Calibrachoa ‘Midnight Kiss’

When I talk about Calibrachoa that truly WOWS customers, ‘Midnight Kiss’ is always near the top of the list. The color alone stops people in their tracks. Those deep red to near-burgundy blooms are rich, saturated, and dramatic, but it’s the bright yellow star at the center that really sets this variety apart. In good light, the flowers almost glow, creating a high-contrast look that reads bold from a distance and adds real depth up close. This isn’t a subtle plant, and it isn’t meant to be. It’s a statement piece, and it performs exactly like one.

As part of the Cabaret® Series, ‘Midnight Kiss’ brings larger flowers size, dramatic contrast, and the vigor that the series is known for. From the moment it’s planted, it starts building a dense, well-branched trailing habit that fills containers evenly instead of thinning out in the middle. I’ve watched it spill beautifully over baskets and mixed containers without getting leggy or uneven, which is something not all calibrachoa can manage. That kind of dependable performance is exactly why the Cabaret Series has earned such a strong reputation, and this variety lives up to it fully.

Why We Like It (Our Trials)

In our testing of Cabaret® Midnight Kiss, it has proven to be exceptionally consistent in full-sun containers and fantastic in hanging baskets. It establishes quickly, begins trailing early, and maintains a balanced, uniform habit throughout the season. We’ve seen it perform beautifully in both standalone baskets and mixed plantings, sometimes overpowering its companions but that’s what you get with a variety this bold.

This is also one of my favorite Calibrachoas for creating contrast. The dark red blooms and bright star centers pair especially well with white and silver plants, soft blush pinks, cool purples, and blue-toned foliage. I often use it as an anchor plant — something bold that grounds the entire container — or as a dramatic accent that gives the whole planting more depth and richness. It’s also one of those varieties customers remember and ask for by name, which tells me everything I need to know about its impact.

Midnight Kiss vs. Other Calibrachoa Varieties

Among the darkest Calibrachoa on the market, Cabaret® Midnight Kiss delivers one of the most saturated and dramatic color presentations available. When compared to Cabaret® Good Night Kiss, Midnight Kiss reads deeper and more uniform, with a richer purple-black tone that feels moodier and more dramatic overall. Against lighter options like Colibri® Pure White, which excels at softening combinations and blending effortlessly, Midnight Kiss plays the opposite role: it grounds designs, adds visual weight, and creates a strong focal point rather than acting as a neutral.

When placed alongside broader genetics such as the Superbells® Series, which often emphasize flower size, vigor, and novelty colors, Midnight Kiss distinguishes itself through balance. For gardeners and designers looking to introduce true depth, drama, and sophistication into containers or landscape accents, the Cabaret® Series remains one of the most dependable and visually commanding choices available.