Flowering Maple (Abutilon hybridum) – Flowering plants

Flowering Maple (Abutilon hybridum) is an evergreen Shrub growing to 5ft tall at a fast rate. It has broad, five-lobed, maple-like, light green leaves that are often variegated with white and yellow. Lantern-like buds open to the solitary, pendulous, bell- to cup-shaped flowers (to 3” diameter) with five overlapping petals and significant staminal columns typical of the mallow family. Plants bloom throughout the growing season. Flowers come in red, pink, yellow, white, and pastel shades.

Scientific Name: Abutilon hybridum
Common Name: Flowering Maple, Albution, Chinese Lantern, and Parlour maple.

How to grow and maintain Flowering Maple (Abutilon hybridum):

Light:
It thrives best in bright light with at least three to four hours of direct sunlight every day. Place the plant to receive the light from a south or west window.

Soil:
It grows best in organically rich, medium moisture, well-drained, any good potting mix.

Water:
Water thoroughly, keep the soil evenly moist in spring through summer. Allow the top inch of soil to dry out between waterings. Reduce watering in the winter, while the plant is dormant.

Temperature:
It grows well in average room temperatures 18°C-24°C / 65°F-75°F year-round. Avoid lower than 50°F/10°C in the winter.

Humidity:
It prefers moderate, around 40-50% relative humidity. Mist foliage with room-temperature water every few days when needed, especially in winter when indoor humidity is low.

Fertilizer:
Fertilize every two weeks in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer diluted by half. In winter, feed monthly, as plants grow more slowly.

Pruning:
Prune your Flowering Maple down to a manageable size just as spring approaches. Also prune back branches that are growing too big and any old branches or leaves when needed, which will encourage new growth and maintain a manageable size.

Propagation:
It can be easily propagated by seeds or by stem tip cuttings. Take stem tip cuttings 8-10cm (3-4 inch) long from the plant in spring or summer, dip the cut ends in hormone rooting powder and plant the cuttings in moist soil. Sowing seeds in spring that germinate in 21 days.

Pests and Diseases:
It has no serious pest or disease problems. Sometimes susceptible to leaf-eating insects – flea beetles, aphids, and caterpillars.