What if your flower borders had a blast of color? Petunias and calibrachoas make great combinations. There are some differences between these two plants for making the most of their summer-long color. Although both are easy to grow, you should understand their differences before planting. Compared to petunias, calibrachoas have the following differences.
What Are the Main Differences Between Calibrachoa vs. Petunia?
Calachoa tends to have smaller flowers and a stronger scent, while petunias have stickier foliage. There’s something sweet about petunias, their flowers are bigger, and their leaves are sticky. Calibrachoa flowers are smaller (but just as vivid) and have a less pungent scent than their cousins. The leaves of Calibrachoa plants are non-sticky and their foliage is not sticky.
Are Calibrachoa vs. Petunia Different?
As with tobacco, tomatoes, and potatoes, petunias belong to the Solanaceae family. A petunia is a very common bedding plant with around 20 species. Petunia atkinsiana is the scientific name of the common garden petunia.
They were initially classified in the petunia genus, in the Solanaceae family, but were given their own genus in 1985 after centuries of debate. The wild calibrachoa looks very similar to petunia and has 28 different varieties. They are actually considered petunias by some botanists!
Petunias don’t have a common name, unlike Calibrachoas, which are commonly called Million Bells.
What Are Petchoas?
Petchoas deserve mention here. Petochoas are hybrids between petunias and calibrachoas, as their name implies. Introducing petunias and calibrachoas!
History of Calibrachoa vs. Petunia
‘Petun’ is a Tupi-Guarani word for tobacco, which gives the petunia its name. Their sweet scent warded off evil spirits among the Inca and Mayans of South America. The buds of their flowers were also used to make tea.
Plant breeders began crossing petunias to create showier blooms when European explorers found them in the early 1800s. Petunias were both a symbol of easy companionship and simmering resentment in Victorian Britain’s flower language!
Due to their native range, calibrachoas are related to petunias and have shared their history. The Mexican botanist Antonio de la Cal y Bracho, who passed away in 1833, was recognized as the creator of the genus calibrachoa, which was named for him.
Calibrachoa is pronounced ka-li-bra-KO-ah if you’re having trouble pronouncing it.
Calibrachoa and Petunia Growing Zones
Due to their frost-susceptibility, petunias are most often annuals, meaning they germinate, flower, and die in the same season. Nonetheless, petunias are tropical plants from South America, making them tender perennials in zones 9-11.
They are perennial plants, although they flower year-round in tropical climates.
Calachoa, too? Yes, exactly! In zones 9-11, they can only be grown as perennials and are not frost-resistant.
Calibrachoa vs. Petunia: Foliage
In a basket or on a mound, petunias have trailing or branching foliage. They can grow an inch long and spread an inch wide, with ovate leaves ranging from mid- to bright green depending on the cultivar.
There is hairy foliage that is sticky on nearly all petunias. Those who think the sticky liquid deters pests such as aphids are mistaken. Others believe it keeps vines anchored together and prevents them from breaking.
The foliage and stems of petunias can reach a height of 24 inches and a spread of 36 inches over the course of one growing season, so fertilizer and water are essential.
Calibrachoas have a similar shade of foliage and spread, mound, and mound like petunias, but the leaves are much thinner. There is only a half-inch gap between the leaves of calibrachoa.
Petunia vs. Calibrachoa: Flowers
Every color imaginable is available in the five-petaled trumpet-shaped flowers of petunias. In black, white, purple, yellow, pink, and red, they’re even available in striped, speckled, and mottled versions.
As opposed to calibrachoa flowers, calibrachoa flowers are smaller but have five petals. They are sometimes called mini petunias!
Plants such as these grow vigorously and provide a rainbow of colors in hanging baskets, containers, and flower borders.
Are Calibrachoas or Petunias Toxic to Dogs?
There is no toxic information on Calibrachoa, but pets shouldn’t be allowed to chew on it. There is no evidence that petunia species are toxic to dogs, cats, or horses either, but it’s best to keep an eye on your pets outside in case they chew on or eat plants.
Are Calibrachoas and Petunias Perennial?
Depends! Calachoas and petunias are both frost-sensitive, which makes them annuals in frosty states. Tropical areas enjoy year-round blooms, while zones 9-11 have perennials.
Are Petunias and Calibrachoas Scented?
Bees and butterflies are attracted to petunias by their sweet floral scent. Night hawk moths, which are impressive pollinators, are attracted to petunias at dusk because of their scent. As well as tobacco plants, other members of the genus use this strategy.
Petunias have a stronger scent than calebrachoas. In some species, the scents are mild, but in others, they are absent. The label should indicate whether the calibrachoas are scented. In comparison to petunias, calibrachoas emit less scent and are better for people who suffer from hay fever or can’t tolerate moths.
How to Keep Calibrachoa vs. Petunia Blooming All Summer
It takes a lot of energy for petunias and calibrachoas to grow and bloom. It is best to keep them watered and fertilized regularly throughout the summer so they will bloom all season long. They also enjoy sun, so they will bloom if you provide them with plenty of sunlight and good drainage.
Soggy foliage is something they both dislike. Petunias and calibrachoas will bloom longer if the roots are watered around the roots. Wet petals can cause rot and mold.
Deadheading is another consideration. We’ll talk about that later!
Why Are My Petunia and Calibrachoa Going Yellow?
The foliage of petunias and calibrachoas should be fertilized as soon as possible if they’re turning golden yellow.
Yellow leaves indicate nutrient depletion, which can occur frequently due to their high growth demands. The leaves and shoots of young calibrachoas and petunias depend on nitrogen and potassium to grow. The yellow color they display is a sign that they are hungry. The best fertilizer for tomatoes is tomato or seaweed.
Should I Deadhead Calibrachoa or Petunia?
A petunia is a prolific bloomer that needs to be deadheaded regularly to prevent going to seed. Seed production takes more energy than flower production once a plant starts to produce seeds. The plant will produce more blooms if you snap off dead petunia heads regularly as it races to seed set.
Contrary to that, calibrachoa does a wonderful job of deadheading itself! Deadheading is rarely necessary because its flowers fall off easily, but it’s still a good idea to check on them periodically.
Which Is Best: Calibrachoas or Petunias?
It’s up to you!
Petunias with sticky leaves might be better avoided if you don’t want to get sticky hands and secateurs. If you have a busy garden schedule, this sticky substance can be useful for controlling pests.
There are no sticky leaves on Calibrachoas. A variety of colors and smaller flowers make calebrachoas a better choice over petunias.
Hybrid petchoas are a great option if you can’t decide!
