Flowering Maples (Abutilon) are famous for their vigorous growth and those gorgeous, bell-shaped blooms. If you want a plant that looks lush and full rather than leggy, regular pruning is your best friend. But keeping it bushy isn’t the only reason to grab your shears—there are actually several times a year when your Flowering Maple will thank you for a little trim.
Why You Should Prune Your Flowering Maple
To keep your Abutilon looking its best, you’ll want to do some light maintenance throughout the year. Here are the main reasons to prune:
- A quick “pinch” to encourage bushiness,
- A light seasonal trim to keep its shape,
- Pre-winter prep before moving it indoors,
- A “hard prune” for older or struggling plants,
- Root pruning during repotting,
- And, of course, taking cuttings for new baby plants!
Pinching Back Your Flowering Maple
Once a year, it’s a great idea to “pinch” your plant. This just means snipping off the very tips of all the growing shoots. This stops the plant from getting too “wild” and encourages it to grow outward rather than just upward, keeping it nice and compact. Early spring or fall are the perfect times for this.
Maintenance Pruning
To keep your Flowering Maple looking polished all year long, don’t be afraid to do some light “haircuts” whenever you notice things getting messy. Snipping off stray branches or thinning out areas that are getting too crowded helps maintain the plant’s shape and makes your bigger pruning sessions much easier down the road.
Pruning Before Winter
Before you move your Flowering Maple into its winter quarters, give it a good once-over. Remove any dead or weak stems and thin out the foliage a bit. This doesn’t just save space; it also improves airflow, which helps prevent pests from moving in while the plant is indoors for the season.
The Hard Prune (Rejuvenation)
Sometimes, a plant needs a fresh start. If you have an older Abutilon that’s looking woody or a plant that’s been hit hard by pests or disease, a radical “hard prune” can work wonders. Don’t be shy! You can cut way back into the old wood. Flowering Maples are tough cookies; they handle heavy pruning well and will usually bounce back quickly with fresh, healthy new growth.
Root Pruning
Ideally, you should move your Flowering Maple into a larger pot with fresh soil once a year. While you’re at it, take a look at the root ball. Snipping away any dead or mushy roots helps the plant stay healthy and prevents it from becoming root-bound.
Taking Cuttings
If you want to propagate your Flowering Maple, pruning is the first step! Look for healthy stems that are just starting to turn woody (semi-ripe wood) and snip off a few inches to start your new cuttings.
