PlantFiles: Flowering Maple, Abutilon
Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii'

I grew this plant off and on for many years as a houseplant in eastern South Dakota. I usually summered it outside in a semi-shady area then brought it back in for winter. It did very well inside the house during winter, even with the lack of humidity due to the forced air furnace. I grew it once from seed and the other times from cuttings, which was the easier way to quicker results! The only insect trouble it had was with spider mites every now and then.

I live in Minnesota. This is my 3rd year with my Maple love it and it grows like crazy during our hot humid summers and I bring it in during winter to a south window. Not growing in height real fast. 1st year I had it I used it in a hanging basket. My sister in Boston also grows them. The only problem I have is the leaves turn yellow very easy.

This is a great Abutilon. Barely had whitefly (they usually love Abutilon). Bought as a 4 inch and it grew rapidly. Third summer here in Sacramento and it is almost 9 ft high tall. Spindly if you don't prune to control shape. The thing bloomed almost all winter! I have it a mrning and early afternoon sun. They do like the water.

performs best using a high nitrogen fertilizer, slow-release once a season, or water soluble twice a month. plant in rich, well drained potting soil. hardy to 28 degree f. My description shows can grow 8-16'.

Here in zone 9 coastal Nor. Cal. this is an outstanding plant that deserves to be more widely planted than the duller, ordinary-looking green-leaved abutilons. Heavy yellow spotting makes this plant glow; the salmon-colored flowers contrast beautifully. People rave when they see this plant. It has a lovely, airy shape -- I have it staked as it tends to go horizontal as it ages. I planted a 1-gall plant in March; it bloomed immediately and is still blooming profusely in November. It has tripled in size and came thru a recent hard rain/high winds in perfect shape.

Addendum July 2003: Just uploaded a more recent picture which shows the overall shape of this attractive shrub

This foilage plant is often grown in a greenhouse or conservatory as a "dot" plant in a summer edding display. This plant is grown with a single upright stem from which arises maple-like, midgreen leaves heavily mottled and splashed with creamy-yellow.

Cultivation: Plant in fertile, moisture retentive soil, as soon as all risk of frost has passed.

Propagation: During midsummer, take 3-4 inch cuttings, and insert them in equal parts moist peat and sharp sand; place in 61`F. When rooted, pot up into loam based compost and overwinter in
a frost proof location.