Abutilon (Flowering Maple)

Abutilon

( ab - YEW - til- on )

At-A-Glance Information

Commonly known as Flowering Maple, Parlor Maple, Indian Mallow, Chinese Jute and Velvetleaf, this genus of deciduous and evergreen species includes a wide variety of herbaceous plants, shrubs and trees. They are native to the subtropics and tropics (Americas, Africa, Asia, and Australia). These beauties need moderate to regular water and like partial shade in hot climates. Scentless flowers are bell-shaped and petals are crepey (similar to the flower bracts on Bougainvillea vines) and are known to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to the garden. Grow Abutilon in the ground or in containers indoors or outside. They are perfect candidates for narrow beds, mixed borders, or simply as specimens planted alongside ornamental grasses or Hydrangeas.

AButilon Species and Varietals

Abutilon is a genus of approximately 200 species in the Mallow family (Malvaceae). Although their common names suggest a relation to Maple species, this moniker simply refers to the shape of the leaves, not a genetic relation. The best growing zones for Flowering Maple are USDA growing zones 8-11 or Sunset zones 8, 9, 12-24, H1 and H2, though this varies somewhat by species. For more information, see the descriptions below. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.

Abutilon eremitopetalum (Hidden-Petaled Abutilon, Hiddenpetal Indian Mallow)
These rarely seen plants are native to dry forests and low shrubland areas on the island of Lana'i in Hawai'i. Hidden-Petaled Abutilon is considered endangered and was first discovered in 1987.

Abutilon fraseri (Dwarf Lantern Flower)
This species is endemic to Australia, and forms a small shrub that reaches just 16 inches tall when mature. Green leaves are heart-shaped and covered in soft hairs. Flowers are present in spring and summertime, and are yellow. The specific epithet of the species honors Surveyor Sir Malcom Fraser. Dwarf Lantern Flower grows well in USDA zones 8a-11b.

Abutilon fruticosum (Abutilon texense) (Texas Indian Mallow, Pelotazo, Sweet Indian Mallow)
These plants are native to Africa, southern and southwestern Asia, northern Mexico, and the southern-central United States. It is a perennial that reaches between 2 and 6 feet tall when mature. Foliage appears grey-green due to hairs. Flowers are peach-colored to orange-yellow and bloom from June through October in the plant's native range. This species is drought-tolerant and is commonly used in xeriscaping. Texas Indian Mallow grows well in USDA hardiness zones 9 and 10.

Abutilon grandifolium (Hairy Indian Mallow)
These plants reach up to 10 feet tall when mature and produce broad green leaves. Flowers are yellow, and the plant is covered in soft hairs. The species is native to tropical America, as well as central and southern Africa. It is a prolific seeder and spreader, and is considered an invasive weed in many areas of the world. It does well in USDA zones 10 and above.

Abutilon x hybridum (Abutilon Hybrids)
This group of plants are evergreen and are the most widely cultivated in the Abutilon genus. They grow well in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. Growth is upright and arching, and individual plants can reach 8 to 10 feet tall and just as wide. Leaves are sometimes variegated with white streaks, and flowers bloom in shades of white, yellow, pink, or red. The main blooming season for these varieties is springtime, but plants with white or yellow flowers bloom almost continuously throughout the year in favorable conditions.

'Bartley Schwartz'
This species is graceful, with arching branches and a nearly constant show of salmon-orange flowers.

'Boule de Neige'
This is a 'spreading' variety in addition to having an upright form, and has beautiful white blooms.

'Cascade Dawn'
This is a particularly cold-hardy variety of abutilon, is upright and spreading, and has reddish-orange flowers.

'Kentish Belle'
This variety has arching branches. Flowers are a striking yellow color and have dark red calyxes.

'Moonchimes'
This is a compact variety, good for smaller spaces. Pale yellow flowers emerge come springtime.

'Nabob'
Crimson-colored flowers on a large, open-growing plant.

'Souvenir de Bonn'
These erect plants have leaves edged in creamy white to yellow with soft orange to red flowers.

'Ashford Red'
This hybrid varietal has deep red flowers.

'Linda Vista Peach'
With green foliage and salmon-colored to orange bell-shaped flowers.

'Canary Bird'
This varietal produces lemon-yellow flowers.

'Savitzii'
These plants produce beautiful variegated white and green foliage with light orange flowers.

'Veronica Tennant'
This varietal produces open, light pinkish-purple to white delicate flowers.

Abutilon megapotamicum (Trailing Abutilon)
This evergreen species is native to Brazil and grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8-11. This vigorous grower tops out at 10 feet tall and wide at maturity. Flowers that appear in spring and summer are red and yellow and resemble lanterns. Branch tips can be pinched to encourage a bushy growth habit and to control size. These plants can be espaliered, and also do well in hanging baskets. Varieties include 'Marianne' (strikingly colored flowers), 'Variegatum' (mottled yellow leaves; pictured), and 'Victory' (compact with deep yellow blooms).

Abutilon menziesii (Ko'oloa'ula)
This endangered species of Abutilon is endemic to Hawaii, and forms a sprawling shrub that tops out around 10 feet tall. Leaves are green and vary in shape. Hibiscus-like flowers generally hang downward. Flowers are typically reddish to orange, but can also be pink, bicolored pink and white, pale red, maroon, wine, salmon, or light yellow.

Abutilon oxycarpum (Flannel Weed, Straggly Lantern-Bush, Small-Leaved Abutilon)
These plants are native to hillsides and floodplains in eastern Australia, and the species was first described by Ferdinand von Mueller in 1860. Leaves are heart-shaped and dark green, and yellow flowers are present between the months of May and October. Plants can reach up to 6 feet tall, but are typically seen more around 3 feet in height. Does well in USDA zones 9 to 11.

Abutilon palmeri (Indian Mallow, Palmer's Abutilon, Superstition Mallow, Palmer's Indian Mallow)
This variety grows best in Sunset zones 8, 9, and 11-13 or USDA zones 7-11. This is an evergreen shrub from the lower desert zones of North America. It has a sprawling growth up to 3-5 feet tall and wide. Orange-yellow clusters of flowers appear in the spring, contrasted against its grey-green heart-shaped leaves. Drought tolerant.

Abutilon parvulum (Dwarf Indian Mallow, Dwarf Abutilon)
These plants are native to the southwestern United States and northern Mexico, and grow best in USDA zones 8a-11b. These perennials grow from woody roots, reaching a maximum height of only 16 inches tall. Green leaves can be oval or heart-shaped and flowers are orange to red.

Abutilon pictum (Redvein Abutilon, Red Vein Indian Mallow, Redvein Flowering Maple, Chinese-Lantern, Red Vein Chinese Lanterns)
These shrubs reach up to 16 feet tall when mature, and have a spread of around six and a half feet. Flowers are yellow to range-red and bloom from April through September. Variety 'Thomsonii' (pictured) has variegated green and bright yellow to cream-colored foliage. These plants will bloom almost continuously given the right care and upkeep. Flowers are pale orange, bell-shaped and veined with streaks of deep red. This species does well in USDA growing zones 8-12.

Abutilon sandwicense (Greenflower Indian Mallow)
These plants are threatened with extinction due to climate change and habitat loss; they are endemic to the island of O'ahu in Hawaii and have already gone extinct on Lana'i and Moloka'i. Greenflower Indian Mallow typically grows in dry forested areas on slopes, and forms a shrub to between 5 and 10 feet tall.

Abutilon theophrasti (Velvetleaf, Velvet Plant, Velvetwood, Chinese Jute, Butterprint, Abutilon-Hemp, Common Yellow Mallow, Swamp Chinese Lantern)
This species is native to southern Asia, and is the type species of the genus Abutilon. The specific epithet theophrasti honors the ancient Greek philosopher and botanist Theophrastus. Individual plants reach between 3 and 8 feet tall, and have branched, stout stems covered in down. Leaves are large and heart-shaped and flowers are yellow. This species grows well in USDA hardiness zones 8 through 11. Velvetleaf can be considered weedy in many areas; check with local authorities before planting. Can be used as an easy-care groundcover.

caring for Abutilon

Abutilon plants are typically planted as starts purchased from a reputable nursery, though they can also be grown from seed or cuttings and transplanted out. Plant your Abutilon in a space in the landscape that receives full sun to light shade; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. In warmer climates, they do appreciate afternoon shade when temperatures are at their peak. When these plants are grown in too much shade, they will not flower as profusely. Choose a spot in the garden that is somewhat sheltered and will not endure frost; Abutilons like temperatures to stay between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 5.5 and 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, Abutilon plants appreciate regular waterings that allow the soil to dry out between irrigations. They do not like to have their roots in standing water or soggy conditions.

Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. These plants are not heavy feeders, and this should be sufficient to provide the necessary nutrients for the active growing and flowering seasons. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season, and remove spent flowers to neaten up the appearance of plants and encourage reblooms. Young plants can have growing tips pinched back for a bushier habit. Early spring is the best time of the year to complete a more intense pruning for shape and size. Never cut the plant's main branches back by more than one third. Some plants may need staking if they are grown in a breezy space. When temperatures drop in fall, make sure to monitor for frost warnings and cover the plant with frost cloth if temperatures drop below 35 degrees Fahrenheit.

Growing Abutilon in Containers
Abutilon plants in cooler or temperate climates may benefit from being grown in a container, allowing for the plant to be relocated to a more warm, sheltered position during the cool months of the year. Choose a pot that has adequate drainage holes about two inches larger in diameter than the plant's original pot and fill it with a well-draining potting soil mix amended with plenty of organic material and/or perlite. Plant your Abutilon, fill in soil around it, and then mulch over the top to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Place the pot in a space that is sheltered from cool, dry wind and that stays around 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the chosen space gets at least 6 hours of sun each day. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new container. Mature Abutilons planted in containers will require more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top two inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the active growing season.

Growing Abutilon Indoors
Abutilon plants were historically called Parlor Maples due to their widespread use as indoor plants, and are still cultivated in greenhouses and as houseplants. Place your Abutilon in a spot that gets at least a few hours of direct sunlight each day and that is not drafty. They do quite well inside of south-facing windows. Indoor-grown Abutilons will need less water than those grown outdoors in containers, as water does not evaporate as quickly indoors. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Otherwise, follow the general care and pruning instructions for container-grown Abutilon plants.

Harvesting Abutilon Plants
Most species of Abutilon produce edible flowers, and some even produce foliage and seeds that are consumed. Flowers are typically sweet and can be eaten raw or cooked, adding a decorative flavorful element to salads and desserts. They are best when eaten fresh, and do not keep well after being plucked. The species most commonly cultivated for its edible leaves is Abutilon theophrasti, which is considered to be a weedy plant in some areas. It was first grown in North America to make rope, but instead became a widespread agricultural pest. The leaves and flowers of this species are typically eaten together as a vegetable, and are cooked in oil, paste, or coconut milk and served over rice. The seeds of this species are also edible; they are more palatable and soft when they are unripe. Ripe seeds are quite bitter, and need to be leached before being consumed.

Disclaimer: Information contained on this website is strictly and categorically intended as a reference to be used in conjunction with experts in your area. Foraging and consumption of plant parts should never begin without the guidance and approval of a local plant specialist. The providers of this website accept no liability for the use or misuse of information contained in this website.

Propagation

Abutilon can be propagated either by using cuttings or from seed. To ensure that your propagated plant will have the exact same qualities and characteristics as the parent plant, use the cutting method. If you are propagating from a cutting, keep in mind that you may need to do some pruning to ensure that your new plant takes on the same form as the parent. To propagate your Flowering Maple, follow the instructions below:

Propagating Abutilon by Cutting

Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand.
In spring or summer (May to August), before the plant has had time to harden its current season's growth, choose your plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 4-6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip off all of the lower leaves, leaving the top two on the cutting. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot.
Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in cool, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth on your propagated Abutilon, you'll know you have roots.
Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home, either outdoors or inside as a house plant. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new Abutilon.

Propagating Abutilon by Seed

Keep in mind that the Abutilon plant you get from seed will not necessarily mimic all of the characteristics of the parent plant. Abutilon propagated by seed also take longer to flower after maturing; flowers can take up to two years to pop. To propagate by seed, you will need a pot or tray filled with well-draining compost or other organic material, a spray bottle and a fork. If you don't have any potting medium on hand, you can make some. Just mix together equal parts (by volume) moss peat and horticultural-grade sand or grit sand. You will also, after a few weeks, need individual 3-inch pots for each seedling that grows.
Harvest your seeds. Most Abutilon plants are hermaphroditic and will be able to self-pollinate. When Abutilon flowers are spent and your plant has been pollinated you will notice seed pods begin to form (see photos below). Once they have dried out and begun to split open, you can harvest the seeds inside. Harvest as many as you can, and plant all of them in your tray. They will probably not all sow, and the ones that do will be of varying characteristics, especially with hybrid-variety seeds. The more seeds you plant, the more chances you will have to get the resulting Abutilon you want.
Barely cover the seeds with planting medium (about 3/4 inch down) and keep the soil moist but not wet by spraying it with your spray bottle. Place your tray of seeds in a warm area that receives bright, indirect light. A greenhouse is the most ideal climate, but a planting tray inside a window will do as well. Germination usually takes 14-21 days from sowing. Once you begin to see seedlings sprout and they are able to be handled, transplant them to their own individual 3-inch pots, filled with the same potting medium as described in Step 1. Loosen the seedlings from the potting medium by digging down with the tines of your fork about an inch and a half, gently working the seedling up until it is out. Then, replant the seedling in its individual pot.
Keep the seedling's potting medium moist, but not wet, by spraying the soil with your spray bottle. Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home, either outdoors or inside as a house plant. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new Abutilon.