The exotic flowers of abutilon plants suggest that their frost resistance is limited. The wonderful mallow is far too valuable for annual cultivation. This guide informs you about the degree of winter hardiness and gives practical tips for wintering.
Is the abutilon plant hardy?
The Abutilon plant is not hardy as it comes from tropical and subtropical regions. Frost resistance is only given up to 5 degrees Celsius. To overwinter, the beautiful mallow needs a bright location with temperatures between 10 and 22 degrees Celsius, without drafts or waterlogging.
Origin provides information about winter hardiness
Abutilon species are very popular in Mediterranean garden design because their flowers harmonize wonderfully with oleander or lemons. At the same time, the exotic flower beauties have a comparable winter hardiness. Beautiful mallows are native to the tropical and subtropical regions of the world. This origin results in a pronounced sensitivity to frost with 5 degrees Celsius as the lower temperature limit.
Overwintering Abutilon as a balcony plant – this is how you do it right
If the temperatures fall in September, please stop applying fertilizer so that the shoots mature in time before the start of winter. If the thermometer falls below 10 degrees even at night, put your abutilon away. This is how you properly overwinter a beautiful mallow as a balcony plant:
- Before putting away, cut out dead shoots and clean out wilted flowers
- If necessary, cut back branches that are too long by a maximum of a third
- Do not fertilize until April
- Watering moderately without causing dryness or waterlogging of the bales
There are two options to choose from when choosing the location. In a bright, cold house that is not in full sun, temperatures should hover around 10 degrees Celsius. Warm overwintering on the sunny windowsill of living rooms or in the warm winter garden is also possible. Warm, sunny conditions usually cause the beautiful mallow to grow evergreen, whereas in a cold house the leaves are shed.
Overwintering Abutilon as a year-round houseplant - this is how it works
Abutilon plants have no objection to a permanent location on the bright, warm windowsill. At temperatures of 18 to 22 degrees Celsius, mallows wear their foliage continuously and bloom from March to November.
The lack of light during the cold season sometimes causes sparse, deformed growth. You can prevent this shortcoming by lowering the temperature to 10 to 12 degrees Celsius from October to March. By changing location to a bright, unheated bedroom, this premise is fulfilled without much effort.
Tip
The common name indoor maple for Abutilon species regularly causes confusion among home gardeners. The name simply refers to the shapely leaves of a beautiful mallow, which are reminiscent of maple leaves. Contrary to popular belief, it is not a type of maple for cultivation as a houseplant.
