Trailing abutilon
Callianthe megapotamica · Malvaceae
📷 SAplants · CC BY-SA 4.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around trailing abutilon and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Type
- Shrub
- Adult height
- Approximately 2 m
- Flowering
- May to August
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Origin
- Brazil (Megapotamos region)
- Exposure
- Full sun
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability medium.
Expert tips
The key tip
Callianthe megapotamica is a long-blooming shrub that loves sunlight and dreads excess water: plant it in light, well-draining soil. Light pruning in February aerates the shrub and boosts summer flowering.
The common mistake
Generous watering year-round promotes stagnant moisture and root problems.
The pro's trick
Mulch very lightly or not at all if your soil is clayey: this shrub prefers to stay aerated and dry at the base.
Care
Exposure and light
Place your Callianthus in full sun for generous blooming and vigorous growth. It tolerates very bright locations and benefits from 6 to 8 hours of direct daily sunlight. Insufficient exposure will reduce the number of flowers.
Watering
Water regularly to keep the soil moist but well-drained, especially during the growing and flowering periods. Reduce watering in winter. Avoid standing water which promotes root rot.
Soil and potting mix
Use fertile, well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. A quality potting mix enriched with organic matter works perfectly. Make sure your pot has drainage holes.
Fertilizer and nutrition
Apply balanced fertilizer every 15 days or so during the flowering period (May to August). Reduce applications in autumn and winter. A special flowering plant fertilizer will promote better fruiting.
Pruning and maintenance
Perform light pruning after flowering to maintain a compact shape and encourage branching. Remove dead or damaged branches in early spring. This shrub handles moderate pruning well.
Pests and diseases
Watch for spider mites and mealybugs, particularly in dry conditions. Good drainage and adequate air circulation prevent fungal diseases. Inspect foliage regularly to intervene quickly.
Did you know?
Callianthus from Megapotamos gets its specific name from the Megapotamos river in South America, the region from which it originates. Belonging to the Malvaceae family, it shares botanical characteristics with cotton plants and hibiscus, plants with spectacular flowers. This Brazilian species captivated botanists and collectors in the 19th century, who gradually introduced it to Europe where it became established as an appreciated ornamental plant.
Where to buy it
Best planted in autumn so the roots settle in before summer, or in early spring once the frost has passed. Pick a plant with healthy foliage and roots that are not exposed. Best time: March, October, November.
Add this plant to my garden →Plants from the same family
- Small-leaved limeTilia cordata
- Rose of SharonHibiscus syriacus
- Marsh mallowAlthaea officinalis
- Silver LimeTilia tomentosa
- Crimean lindenTilia euchlora
- Swamp hibiscusHibiscus moscheutos
Tips generated and checked by Viridia — adapt them to your local climate.