Abutilon Care

Abutilon is a genus of graceful arching shrubs with palmate leaves, which are frost hardy or frost tender. They are also known as the flowering maple and coming from the tropical regions of: Africa, Asia, America and Australia they may struggle in an exposed spot in your garden during a hard British winter. Abutilons can flower almost continuously throughout the year, when in a good situation, and are relatively trouble free to grow but can be short lived. Abutilons can also be good subjects for bonsai, for those more adventurous gardeners!

We think an Abutilon is an ideal plant for a conservatory, cool greenhouse, summer patio or bedding scheme and a sheltered spot in the garden. All our varieties can be grown outside in the summer months and some will grow outside all year around in a sheltered spot or a warm part of the country.

We are always hearing from customers who manage to grow what we would call 'frost tender' varieties outside in areas we would think were too cold, so please check your neighbours gardens and if their Abutilons are successful then yours should be too.

Growing Outside

Abutilons need a well drained soil which is reasonably fertile and in a sunny position. The shelter of a south or west: fence, wall or large shrub will protect plants from the worst of the frosts and would be useful to support the trailing varieties. Prune out frosted shoots in spring.

Growing in Containers

When grown in containers Abutilons tend to be smaller than when in the ground but the advantage of having your plant in a pot means that it can be moved to a warmer site during the colder months! Pot in a soil based compost or a mix which has plenty of loam. Water regularly during spring and summer but be careful not to over water at other times. Feed every fortnight whilst flowering. Repot as required, once the roots have emerged from the bottom of your pot, moving on to a pot only slightly larger than the existing one.

Growing Indoors

An indoor Abutilon will require bright indirect sun from a south or west facing window. Keep an eye out for spider mites, mealy bugs and scale, and inspect all new plants for these and other pests and diseases before bringing them into the house. An indoor Abutilon will enjoy growing outside during the frost free summer months.

Pruning

Frost Tender Abutilon can grow quite spindly so it is best to reduce the main stem whilst young to encourage a bushier growth. Once established prune back vigorous plants by a third in winter to stop plants getting too 'leggy' and encourage a good shape. Some smaller bushy varieties such as: 'Red Queen' and 'Linda Vista Peach' will need very little pruning.

Abutilon megapotanicum can be pruned early to mid-spring by shortening the previous seasons growth by a third. Remove dead tips back to new shoots and old wood in favour of more vigorous young growth.

Abutilon vitifolium can be pruned in summer after flowering. Training with a central stem gives a pyramidal shape but can also be grown as a multi-stemmed shrub. Dead heading will keep the plant vigorous and prolong the flowering season.

Buy Abutilons

Now you have all the information please check our list of available Abutilon plants.