There’s really no better place to show off the gorgeous blooms of the Flowering Maple than right on your balcony. During the summer, these beauties absolutely thrive in the sun. But what happens when the first frost of the season starts knocking at the door?
Where does Abutilon come from?
One look at those exotic, bell-shaped flowers and you can probably guess that Abutilon (its botanical name) hails from tropical and subtropical regions. You don’t even need to bother testing its winter hardiness—it simply doesn’t have any! This plant isn’t just “allergic” to frost; it really dislikes the cold in general. As a rule of thumb, never subject your Flowering Maple to temperatures below 40°F (5°C).
Annual or Perennial: Should you overwinter?
Theoretically, you could treat it as an annual and let it go, but in practice, there’s only one real choice: overwintering. The Flowering Maple is just way too stunning to leave out in the cold to wither. To get a head start, begin preparing for overwintering in September by cutting back on fertilizer.
Keep a close eye on the thermometer. Once the temps dip below 50°F (10°C), it’s time to invite this beauty indoors. Depending on how much space you have, it can spend the winter in a cozy, warm living room or a cool, bright spot. Just make sure to pinch off any spent blooms before bringing it inside.
Pro Tip:
If your Abutilon has gotten a bit unruly and is taking up too much space, feel free to prune the branches back by up to two-thirds before moving it into its winter quarters.
The “Cool” Way to Overwinter
To give your Flowering Maple a true period of rest, it’s best to keep it in a cool spot around 50°F (10°C). A bright, unheated sunroom is ideal, though you should protect it from harsh, direct winter sun. If you don’t have a cool room available, a warm windowsill will work too.
Keep in mind that if it stays in a cool room, it might drop some (or all) of its leaves. If it stays in a warm room, it’ll keep its foliage but will need more frequent watering. Regardless of the temperature, hold off on the fertilizer until April.
Growing as a Year-Round Houseplant
If you don’t want to deal with the “in and out” shuffle, you can always grow Abutilon as a permanent houseplant. Here’s how to keep it happy:
- A bright windowsill is the perfect home.
- Aim for temperatures between 65°F and 72°F (18-22°C).
- From October to March (when it’s not blooming), it appreciates a “cool down” period.
- Moving it to a cooler bedroom can do the trick.
- Even better? A bright room kept around 50-55°F (10-12°C).
