What Is Abutilon? Tips For Flowering Maple Care Outdoors
What is abutilon? Also known as flowering maple, parlor maple, Chinese lantern, or Chinese bellflower, abutilon is an upright, branching plant with leaves that resemble maple leaves; however, abutilon isn’t a maple and is actually a member of the mallow family. This plant is often grown as a houseplant, but can you grow abutilon in the garden too? Read on to learn more.
Flowering Maple Information
Abutilon is a type of warm weather plant that grows in tropical or sub-tropical climates. Although hardiness varies, abutilon is suitable for growing in USDA zones 8 or 9 and above. In cooler climates, it is grown as an annual or an indoor plant. Size also varies, and abutilon may be a shrubby plant measuring no more than 19 inches (48 cm.) in height, or a tree-like specimen as large as 6 to 10 feet (2-3 m.). Most attractive are the blooms, which start out as small lantern-shaped buds that open to large, dangling, cup-shaped flowers in shades of orange or yellow and sometimes pink, coral, red, ivory, white, or bicolor.
How to Grow Abutilon Outdoors
Flowering maple thrives in rich soil, but the plant generally does well in nearly any type of moist, well-drained soil. A site in full sunlight is great, but a location in partial shade is fine too, and may actually be preferable in hot climates. When it comes to flowering maple care in the garden, it is relatively uninvolved. The plant likes moist soil, but never let abutilon become soggy or waterlogged. You can feed flowering maple every month during the growing season or use a very dilute solution every other week. Cut back branches carefully to shape the plant in early spring or late fall. Otherwise, pinch growing tips regularly to promote full, bushy growth and trim as needed to keep the plant neat. Flowering maple plants are generally not bothered by pests. If aphids, mites, mealybugs or other common pests are an issue, insecticidal soap spray usually takes care of the problem.
Gardening tips, videos, info and more delivered right to your inbox!
Sign up for the Gardening Know How newsletter today and receive a free download of our most popular eBook "How to Grow Delicious Tomatoes."
A Credentialed Garden Writer, Mary H. Dyer was with Gardening Know How in the very beginning, publishing articles as early as 2007.
-
10 Best Apartment Plants To Turn Your Small Space Into An Oasis
The best apartment plants can lend an ambience of the tropics, brighten up a space, or add a touch of drama, and turn an apartment into a relaxing oasis.
By Amy Grant
-
Grow a Bathroom Oasis: 8 Best Bathroom Plants With No Light or Low Light
Some apartment dwellers grow the best bathroom plants with no light or low light. Read how one of our favorite plant lovers does it in the big city.
By Teo Spengler
-
Abutilon Pruning Tips: When To Prune A Flowering Maple
Trimming abutilon is essential to their continued health and beauty. You?ll need to learn how to prune an abutilon if you are growing one of these plants. Click this article for information on trimming abutilon as well as abutilon pruning tips.
By Teo Spengler
-
Growing Abutilon Flowering Maple: Learn About Abutilon Requirements Indoors
The flowering maple is striking enough to make a lovely specimen plant in the garden or in a container inside. Learn more about growing flowering maple plants in the following article.
By Amy Grant