Consulta Plantas

Care of the climbing plant Abutilon megapotamicum or Trailing abutilon

The genus Abutilon, Malvaceae family, it includes about 200 species of annual and perennial trees, shrubs and plants distributed in tropical and subtropical areas of America, Africa, Asia and Australia. Some species are: Abutilon megapotamicus, Abutilon grandifolium, Abutilon variegata, Abutilon hybridum, Abutilon vitifolium, Abutilon pictum.

Common name: Trailing abutilon. This species is native from Brazil.

They are shrubs with thin arched branches and hanging bearing that reach 6.5-9.8 ft (2-3 meters) height. The leaves have a serrated edge, alternate arrangement and lanceolate shape (heart-shaped at the base). Its showy hanging flowers have a bell-shaped shape, with a red calyx and yellow petals. They bloom from late spring to early fall.

You can help with supports to use as climbing plants to cover walls. It is also possible to grow them in hanging containers and as a houseplant.

The Abutilon megapotamicum requires a full sun exposure and sheltered; for example next to a wall facing west or south. It is a tropical plant that does not tolerate frost.

A good soil for these climbing plants would be light garden soil with plenty of organic matter.

Water frequently so that the soil never stops being a little damp (wait until the soil surface dries before watering again). Never puddle. In winter, irrigation needs to be reduced considerably.

Fertilize with manure or compost in the fall and with mineral fertilizer every 15 days during the spring and summer.

They can be pruned in early spring by removing a third of the length of the branches.

It's an easy to grow plant that can be attacked by aphids and mites if the humidity is not adequate.

They propagate from seeds sown in spring or by cuttings, woody or semi-woody, made in early summer.

Images of the climbing plant Abutilon megapotamicum or Trailing abutilon