How to Grow and Care Tiger Eye Flowering Maple in Your Garden

The abutilon plant, a member of the mallow family, is known by several different names. These names include elegant maple, parlor maple, Chinese lantern, and Chinese bellflower. Although the leaves resemble maple leaves, the plant is not a maple. It stands tall with branches.

Because they can tolerate high temperatures, abutilons thrive in bright summer regions or as potted plants. In colder climates, provide shelter during the winter. They require only occasional feedings and thrive in well-drained soil. Pinch the stems of the new leaves to help them spread out. Lightly prune the plant to shape it and remove any dead roots. How can you cultivate and care for an abutilon tiger eye blossoming maple, a home plant? Read on to learn more.

How to Grow Flowering Maple Tiger Eye

Flowering maples are sometimes called “maple trees” since their leaves resemble maple leaves and can be any color. Water and feed them frequently when they grow, providing a mix of full sun and moderate shade. When you gently prune plants, they remain large and full of flowers, appearing to sprout everywhere. ‘Tiger Eyes’ is taller and leggier than the standard flowering maple, yet it does not bloom as frequently. However, the beauty of its flowers more than compensates for these shortcomings.

Feeding and watering abutilon

Plants require a lot of energy to produce blossoms. So, add a lot of compost or manure to the soil before planting, and then use the trash as mulch in the fall. During the growing and flowering seasons, water the plant frequently. Only water the plant in the winter when the soil is fully saturated.

Growing abutilon in pots

When grown in containers, they require regular feeding and watering. To grow an abutilon indoors, use loam soil and a balanced liquid fertilizer twice a month while the plant grows.

Provide full sun to partial shade.

Change the shade level from full sun to moderate shade. To boost bloom production, apply a half-strength, high-phosphorus fertilizer every two to four weeks. Pruning more frequently will keep bushier plants under control.

Overwintering Flowering& Maples

Plants brought inside from outside to spend the winter thrive in bright, intense light and chilly evenings (50° to 60°F). If given enough light, many plants will flower throughout the winter. Keep the soil just damp once a month and avoid using fertilizer. Remember that if you allow your plant to overwinter, it may grow back stronger the following year.

Flowering Maples in Containers

Pinch the stem tips to prevent them from spreading and promote a tight habit. This method may exacerbate the plant’s efflorescence while simultaneously inhibiting its growth by retaining its roots in situ. Plants perform better when kept in pots. Every year or two, you should transplant trees that produce many leaves into a larger pot.

How to Propagate Flowering Maple Tiger Eye

Choose a healthy plant.

In the spring or summer, the first step is to choose a plant with enough leaves free of pests and illnesses. To cut a 4-inch stem, use clean, sharp cutting shears or sturdy scissors. Make sure to keep at least two nodes on the stem. When you divide a plant, the roots often grow at the nodes, bumps where the stem and leaves meet.

Root growth

Remove everything but the cutting’s first two or three leaves. As the plant grows, it will focus on strengthening its roots rather than producing too many leaves. We propose using a rooting hormone powder to boost the likelihood of successful spread and root development.

well-draining soil and watering

Place the cutting in well-drained soil, water gently, and then cover with a clear plastic bag or cap dome to give the new plant the best possible start. After giving your plant plenty of water, place it in a pot and move it to a window with adequate indirect light.

New growth will appear at the top of the stem in around three weeks, indicating that the rooting process was successful. After a few weeks, move the plant to a larger pot with new potting soil and adequate drainage. Putting your pots on wheeled carts allows you to quickly move them indoors or outside, depending on the weather.

Abutilon Tiger Eye Flowering Maple Care

Abutilon’s flowers resemble bells and come in a variety of hues. The plant’s leaves resemble maple leaves. The flower clusters hang like miniature lanterns. Different types of plants can grow to be 2 to 10 feet tall.

Planting

When growing abutilon, ensure the soil is well-drained and contains organic matter. A pH between slightly acidic and neutral is ideal for growth. Depending on where you reside, choose a location that receives either full sun or partial shade.

Watering

The soil should always be wet but not saturated. When the weather is dry, it is best to water more.

Sunlight.

Abutilons thrive in partial to full sunlight. In warmer climates, plants may benefit from some shade throughout the middle of the day to avoid heat stress.

Fertilizing

During the growing season, feed your plants once a month using a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer. Reduce the frequency of feeding in winter.

Pruning

If necessary, trim the plant to maintain the desired size and shape. To make the growth bushier, pinch back the tips and remove any long or dead branches.

Temperature

Abutilon thrives in USDA hardiness zones 8–11 most of the time. It can handle some ice but keep it out of direct sunlight.

Pest and disease control

Look out for aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. As needed, care for them. Abutilon rarely gets sick.

Planting blooming maples in rich, well-drained soil allows them to grow tall and swiftly. When they grow, blooms are placed on newly formed stems.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Whiteflies, spider mites, scales, and mealybugs are common household pests that can harm abutilon plants. While you water, look for problems.

Abutilons are susceptible to root rot, rust, and leaf spot diseases. You can resolve these concerns by ensuring adequate airflow, keeping the leaves dry, and, if necessary, applying a pesticide.

The Abutilon mosaic virus is also present. However, people typically regard darker or variegated leaves as desirable and frequently seek out the virus.

Final Thought

The Abutilon plant is enjoyable to cultivate and care for because it produces gorgeous blooms and colorful foliage that resembles maple leaves. This plant is also called a blossoming maple or a Chinese lantern. These heat-tolerant plants thrive in the shade or in containers with well-drained soil that is not overwatered. A healthy Abutilon plant requires frequent watering, fertilization, and mild pruning.

If you want to grow more of an abutilon plant, find a robust one, cut it into clean parts, and place it in well-drained soil. If you pay closely and wait a few weeks, fresh growth will appear. Abutilons may grow in various environments and thrive in full sun and partial shade. In cooler climates, they require some shade. If you protect your Abutilon from typical yard pests and illnesses, it will thrive. It will also bring color and charm into any environment, indoors or out.