Abutilon, also known as Chinese Lanterns due to the shape of their flowers, are attractive shrubs mostly growing to 1 – 2 m tall. Their pendulous, hibiscus like flowers come in lovely shades of white, orange, yellow and pink and variegated varieties with mottled foliage are available.


How to grow Abutilon in a garden

  1. Choose a sunny or partly shaded spot in the garden and prepare the planting area well by digging in Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food.
  2. Dig a hole in the prepared area, place the plant in the bottom of the planting hole, gently backfill around the plant’s root ball with soil then water well.
  3. Reapply Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food around the root zone every 8 weeks from spring until mid autumn to promote good soil health.
  4. Mulch with an organic mulch, such as bark chips, woodchips or pea straw and water in well.
  5. During times of new leaf growth and flowering, feed each week with Yates Thrive Natural Roses Flowers Organic Based Pelletised Plant Food.

How to grow Abutilon in a pot

  1. Choose a pot at least 300mm wide and deep. Position in full sun or part shade.
  2. Fill chosen pots with quality potting mix, such as Yates Premium Potting Mix.
  3. Plant, backfill gently with potting mix & water in well.  Feed weekly with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food.
  4. During times of new leaf growth and flowering, feed each week with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Growing tips

  • Abutilons can be pruned in later winter to keep growth in check; tip: prune young plants to promote bushiness and flowering.
  • Flowers from September to December.

More Plants

Dwarf Pōhutukawa

Dwarf Pōhutukawa (Tahitian Pohutukawa) is a fantastic flowering shrub or small tree ideal for use as a feature plant, hedge or screen.

Daphne

Daphne is an evergreen shrub with glossy green leaves and beautifully fragrant flowers in shades of white and pink. Grow in the garden or in pots.

Smoke Bush

Smoke Bush is an ideal shrub to add a splash of foliage colour to gardens. It provides year-round seasonal interest and looks fabulous in both gardens and pots.

Picea

Piceas, or Spruces, are evergreen coniferous trees from the Pinaceae family with a lovely conical shape, needle-like leaves and ornate pendulous cones.

Recommended products

Yates Premium Potting Mix

A premium potting mix, ideal for all potted plants and shrubs, including ornamentals, fruit trees, vegies and herbs.