How to Grow and Care for Abutilon

Abutilon is a genus of flowering plants, including the popular ornamental flowering maple, Abutilon x hybridum, which is a hybrid species. With similar care, these plants prefer lots of sunlight, well-draining soil, and warm conditions, perennial to the hotter regions of the United States. Though their leaves appear maple-like, abutilons aren't even closely related to maple trees.

When growing, keep in mind that some abutilons may be toxic to people.

Abutilon Care

Though there are many popular ornamental abutilon varieties, multiple of which are referred to as flowering maple, they are generally all tropical and have similar needs. Here are the main care requirements for growing abutilons:

• Choose a sunny spot that gets around six hours of sunlight or more.
• Prepare nutrient-rich, well-draining soil.
• Water somewhat frequently and protect abutilons from drought.
• Fertilize consistently with an all-purpose fertilizer or regularly amend soil.

Light

Outdoors, grow the shrubs in full sun to partial shade. Northern gardeners may wish to grow these sub-tropical specimens in containers so that it is easier to bring them indoors in the fall, where they can be grown as houseplants during the winter.

In zones 9 and 10, optimal lighting is for the plants to receive full sun in the morning but some shade in the hot afternoon.

Soil

Grow abutilons in well-draining soil that has been enriched with compost. These plants struggle with prolonged dry periods, but they also don’t want to sit in wet soil. The soil pH should be in the neutral range, but more importantly, it needs to be well-draining. 

Water

Abutilon plants have average water needs. Avoid letting the soil dry out completely for long periods of time, but don't water so often that abutilons are sitting in water, either.

Temperature and Humidity

Abutilons prefer warm temperatures and do not tolerate frost. Temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit are ideal. These prefer average humidity levels but aren't picky.

Fertilizer

Abutilon can be heavy feeders, probably because they do so much blooming. This is especially true when they are grown in containers. Feeding every other week with a diluted, water-soluble fertilizer will help keep them blooming.

Types of Abutilon

Between the various popular species of Abutilon and their cultivars, there are many types to choose from, with cheery flowers in many colors:

• Abutilon 'Bartley Schwarz': salmon-colored blooms.
• Abutilon ‘Canary Bird’: a rounded growth habit and extremely long-lasting, trumpet-shaped, yellow flowers.
• Abutilon ‘Kentish Belle’: two-toned, bell-shaped flowers of apricot-yellow with purple stamens.
• Abutilon 'Souvenir de Bonn': red-veined, orange flowers and brightly variegated leaves.
• Abutilon 'Tiger Eye': red-and-yellow flowers that hang down like Christmas ornaments while in bud.
  
• A. pictum ‘Thompsonii’: attractive mottled yellow leaves offset by salmon colored flowers.

Pruning

Rather than performing outright pruning, the recommended way to keep abutilons compact is to pinch the tips of the branches of the bushes while they are young. Tip prune young plants, to spur new growth and get a fuller shape.

Abutilons also respond well to hard prune in spring if you want to control their size further.

Propagating

Abutilons are most commonly propagated by cuttings. The ideal time to take cuttings is in spring or summer, when the host plant will bounce back quickly. Here are the basic steps:

1. Choose a healthy, green stem with multiple nodes.
2. Using clean scissors, sever the cutting.
3. Leaving three leaves, remove the the rest of the leaves and any flowers or buds.
4. Put the cutting in moist potting soil and wait for roots to form.
5. Once the cutting is established, you can transplant it as you wish.

How to Grow Abutilon From Seed

In addition to cuttings, abutilons can be propagated via seed, though it will take much longer for you to obtain a mature plant this way. Here are the basic steps:

1. Soak abutilon seeds in water for a few hours to speed up germination.
2. Prepare some trays or small pots with moist seed starting mix.
3. Place the seeds on top of the mix and just barely press them down.
4. Barely cover the seeds with more soil.
5. Keep the soil moist with the help of a humidity dome or by misting until you see germination.

Potting and Repotting Abutilon

Abutilons like flowering maple are often grown in pots so that growers in cooler zones can easily bring the plants indoors for winter. When selecting a pot, choose one that is only slightly larger than the plant's root ball or than its current pot, and always opt for a container with a drainage hole.

If you're more familiar with growing abutilons outside, consider that it will take even longer for soil to dry out when growing inside. For this reason, it's critical to use a well-draining mix to avoid root rot. A terra-cotta or clay pot can also help, as these materials wick extra moisture from the soil.

Overwintering

If you live in a cold climate, stay tuned to weather reports during the fall, so that you will be alerted when it is time to move your specimen indoors for the winter. Your cue is when you hear about a frost advisory. In perennial zones 9 and 10, no additional overwintering care is needed.

When growing an abutilon as a houseplant during the winter, give it a few hours of sunlight per day through a window. Grow it in a relatively cool room in your house. You should also cut back on watering at this time. Use a moisture meter to make sure the soil is dry before watering.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

The usual houseplant pests will affect abutilon plants, including whiteflies, spider mites, scale and mealybugs. Scout for problems while watering.

Regarding disease, root rot, rust, and leaf spot can be problems for abutilons. These issues can be controlled by providing good air circulation, keeping the leaves dry, and using a fungicide, if necessary.

Abutilon mosaic virus also exists, but the leaf discoloration or variegation is actually considered a feature, and the virus is often sought after.

How to Get Abutilon to Bloom

Abutilons are prized for their flowers. With enough light and proper care, these plants can stay in constant bloom.

Bloom Months

Abutilon plants are serious bloomers. Though some bloom from spring through fall, others bloom all year long, depending on where you're located.

What Do Abutilon Flowers Look and Smell Like?

These long-blooming plants bear cup- or bell-shaped flowers that are approximately three inches across. Depending on the cultivar, the blooms come in a variety of colors, including red, salmon, pink, yellow, orange, and white. The flowers lack any notable fragrance.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Though abutilons can get by with just partial sunlight, full sunlight will encourage the most blooms, so make sure your plant is getting at least six hours of direct sun or more. These plants are also heavy feeders, so don't skimp on the fertilizer. And lastly, deadhead spent flowers, which can inspire the plant to produce more.