Flowering Maple is a group of hybrids of uncertain origin in the mallow family (Malvaceae). The name Abutilon x hybridum has been used for this group, but that name is of uncertain application. They are tropical frost-tender flowering shrubs that can be grown outside year-round in zones 9 and 10. Genus name comes from the Arabic name for a mallow-like plant These shrubs will grow 8-10 feet tall in tropical areas but 2-4 feet tall in colder sites. They grow best in rich, constantly moist, well-drained soil in full sun to partial shade. Pinch back the stems to encourage bushiness and stronger stems. If growing them indoors prune in spring to control size and give them a sunny window. The showy pendulous, bell- to cup-shaped flowers come in various colors. and are produced during the growing season. The trifoliate leaves resemble maple leaves. Use these plants as a specimen, in borders, as an accent or as a container plant. They can be brought indoors for overwintering. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, thrips, mites, whitefly, and Pythium root rot are potential problems
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
Clay; High Organic Matter; Loam (Silt)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
12 inches-3 feet
Mature size
Height: 8 ft. 0 in. - 10 ft. 0 in. | Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low; Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Arching; Erect
Texture
Medium
Foliage
Broadleaf Evergreen
Leaf color
Gold/Yellow; Green; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Cordate; Palmatifid
Leaf margin
Crenate; Lobed; Serrate
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
This shrub has leaves that are alternate, simple, maple-like lobed, often variegated, with toothed margins (serrate to crenate) and a pointed tip.
Flower color
Gold/Yellow; Orange; Pink; Red/Burgundy; Variegated; White
Flower value
Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Bell; Cup
Flower size
1-3 inches
Flower detail
Flowers are single in leaf axils, drooping, have 5 petals that are 2 inches long, and have stamens fused into a tubular column. Flowers are white, red, yellow, pink, or orange.
Bloom time
Fall; Spring; Summer
Fruit type
Schizocarp
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
Stems tend to be weak. Pinch back to promote stronger, compact plant.
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Unknown
Origin
Unsure- perhaps S. America
Food & Medicine
Edible parts
Flowers
Fruit type
Schizocarp
Edibility
Flowers are edible raw or cooked with a sweet flavor