From our perspective, our fundamental needs are shaped by where we come from. I, Calibrachoa, hail from the warmer, drier regions of South America. This ancestry makes me inherently more drought-tolerant and heat-loving. I thrive in consistently warm conditions and my roots prefer to dry out slightly between waterings. Petunia, however, has a broader origin story across South America, with some species preferring more temperate climates. While many modern Petunia varieties also love the sun, we Calibrachoas are generally more resilient to intense summer heat and are less likely to wilt dramatically on the hottest days.
Our approach to water and fertilizer is a key differentiator. I, Calibrachoa, am often described as a "heavy feeder." My abundant, continuous flowering requires a significant and consistent supply of nutrients. I perform best with a balanced liquid fertilizer applied weekly or even incorporated into every watering. My soil should be kept moist but never soggy. Petunia shares this love for regular feeding to support her prolific blooms, but she can be slightly more forgiving of occasional missed feedings. Overhead watering is less ideal for both of us, but it can cause Petunia's larger, more delicate flowers to become matted and rot more easily than my smaller, hardier blossoms.
Our relationship with deadheading—the removal of spent flowers—is a major difference in care. For me, Calibrachoa, it is largely unnecessary. I am what gardeners call "self-cleaning." My small flowers naturally drop their petals after blooming, allowing my energy to focus on producing a continuous cascade of new buds without human intervention. Petunia, on the other hand, requires more attentive grooming. If her larger, spent flowers are not regularly pinched or snipped off, she will channel her energy into seed production instead of new flowers, leading to a decline in her display. This makes her care more hands-on compared to my low-maintenance nature.
Observe our growth habits to understand how to best showcase us. I, Calibrachoa, am a true cascading specimen. My stems are strong yet trail gracefully, often reaching several feet in length. I am perfectly designed for hanging baskets, tall containers, and window boxes where my trailing habit can be fully appreciated. While there are trailing and mounding Petunia varieties (like the 'Surfinia' series), many garden Petunias have a more upright, mounding growth habit initially before some stems begin to spill over the edges. She often requires occasional pruning to encourage bushier growth and prevent her from becoming leggy, whereas my trailing form is my natural state.
