How to Grow Abutilon
Abutilon × hybridum
Abutilon is a fast-growing, half-hardy shrub prized for its pendulous bell-shaped flowers in shades of orange, red, yellow, and white. In mild gardens it can flower almost year-round. In the UK, treat it as half-hardy — grow outdoors in a sheltered, sunny spot in summer and bring under glass before the first frost. Plant in well-drained, fertile soil and water moderately. Prune in spring to shape and remove frost-damaged wood. Maple-like leaves and a tropical-looking habit make it an excellent conservatory or patio specimen.
Yearly Lifecycle
Care Essentials
Feed monthly with a balanced liquid fertiliser from spring through summer. Reduce to every six weeks in autumn and stop feeding over winter.
Watch For
- Whitefly (especially under glass)
- Aphids on new shoot tips
- Red spider mite in warm, dry conditions
- Frost damage to soft growth
Care Requirements
Light
Full sun to light shade
Thrives in a warm, sheltered spot with full sun or very light shade. A south- or west-facing wall or fence dramatically improves performance and frost protection in the UK.
Watering
Moderate — keep moist but not waterlogged
Water regularly during the growing season, allowing the top centimetre of soil to dry between waterings. Reduce watering significantly in autumn and winter. Container-grown plants dry out faster and need more frequent checking.
Fertilizing
Monthly balanced feed in spring and summer
Apply a balanced liquid fertiliser monthly from March to August. Reduce to every six weeks in autumn and stop entirely over winter when growth slows.
Pruning
Spring cut-back by one-third to one-half
Prune in March or April before new growth hardens. Remove frost-damaged or weak stems entirely and shorten remaining stems by one-third to one-half to keep the plant compact and free-flowering.
Spacing
100 cm between plants
Allow 100 cm between plants in border settings. In containers, use a pot at least 40 cm in diameter and pot on each spring as the plant fills its current container.
