Redvein abutilon
Callianthe picta · Malvaceae
📷 Philipp Weigell · CC BY 3.0
The gardener's calendar
In autumn, ease off feeding and take the chance to clean up around redvein abutilon and prepare for winter.
ID card
- Scientific name
- Callianthe picta
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Form
- Shrub
- Adult height
- Around 1 m
- Foliage
- Evergreen, variegated white and green
- Flowering
- May to August
- Origin
- Tropical and subtropical America
- Hardiness
- Tender, frost-sensitive
✓ Taxonomy verifiedSource: AI estimate · hardiness: reliability low.
Expert tips
The key tip
Callianthe picta enjoys sun and well-drained, moderately fertile soil. Water during growth, then reduce.
The common mistake
Letting it get leggy without pruning: it becomes sparse and flowers less.
The pro's trick
In late winter, cut back to 30 cm to completely reinvigorate the plant.
Care
Light
Place your variegated abutilon in full sun to promote vigor and the intensity of the leaf variegation. It tolerates partial shade, but may become less compact and less floriferous. Protect it from strong winds that can damage delicate foliage.
Watering
Water regularly to keep the soil moist without saturation, especially during active growth and flowering. In summer, watering should be more frequent. Reduce watering in winter, particularly if the plant is dormant. Check soil moisture before each watering.
Soil and potting mix
Use rich, well-draining substrate that is slightly acidic to neutral. A mixture of leaf mold, compost and perlite works well. Abutilon appreciates fertile soil that promotes abundant flowering.
Fertilizer
Apply balanced or potassium-rich fertilizer every 15 days during the growing season (spring-summer). Reduce applications in fall-winter. Excess nitrogen may promote foliage at the expense of flowers.
Pruning and pinching
Prune lightly in late winter to maintain a compact, branched form. Pinch young shoots to encourage branching. Remove dead or weak branches. Light pruning after flowering helps achieve a denser plant.
Pests and diseases
Watch for spider mites in dry conditions and whiteflies indoors. Stagnant humidity can promote powdery mildew or root rot. Ensure good air circulation and maintain moderate watering to prevent these problems.
Did you know?
The variegated abutilon, with its beautifully white-speckled leaves, owes its name to the Greek goddess Callianthe. Its pendant lantern-shaped flowers are much appreciated by pollinators. In tropical America, several abutilon species are traditionally used for their textile fibers, earning the nickname 'Indian hemp'.
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.