Callianthe megapotamica
Trailing Abutilon · Brazilian bell flower · Chinese lantern
Care Guide
💧 Water
Trailing abutilon flourishes in humid conditions and needs regular watering without becoming waterlogged. Watering once a week is ideal. When grown indoors, this plant benefits from additional humidity, which can be achieved by misting or placing it on a pebble tray. This mimics its natural tropical environment.
☀️ Light Full sun
The trailing abutilon prefers abundant sunlight for healthy development. Its native environment required substantial light, so ample illumination allows the plant to thrive best. It can tolerate partial sun, but too little or too much light can be harmful.
🌡️ Temperature 15–37.8°C
Trailing abutilon originates from habitats with temperatures ranging from 59 to 100.4°F (15 to 38℃). It prefers these warm conditions but can adapt to lower temperatures. In winter, consider moving it indoors or providing protection to combat cold stress.
💨 Humidity
🪴 Soil 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer
Timing is important for fertilizing Trailing abutilon. Start fertilizing in early spring and continue once a month through early summer. Fertilizer encourages attractive blooms and supplies energy during both dormant and active growth phases.
🪴 Pot & Repot 2-3 years
To ensure your trailing abutilon remains healthy, repot it every 2 to 3 years in early spring. Choose a wide container and use well-draining soil for optimal results. After repotting, place the plant in a spot with indirect sunlight and maintain a regular watering schedule, being careful not to overwater to avoid root rot. This will help you enjoy its vibrant and trailing growth!
✂️ Pruning
Trailing abutilon features cascading branches and vibrant flowers. To promote growth and maintain a pleasing shape, prune in early spring. Remove any dead branches, using clean tools to make cuts just above leaf nodes. This approach encourages denser foliage, more abundant blooming, better air circulation, and reduces the risk of disease.
🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity
Characteristics
- Plant Type
- Shrub
- Life Cycle
- Perennial
- Genus
- Callianthe
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Hardiness Zone
- 7-11
- Mature Height
- 2.44 m
- Mature Spread
- 91 cm
- Leaf Color
- Green
- Leaf Type
- Evergreen, Semi-evergreen
- Flower Color
- Orange, Red
- Flower Size
- 2.54 cm to 7.62 cm
- Bloom Time
- All year round
- Planting Time
- Spring, Autumn
- Harvest Time
- All year round
- Native Area
- Brazil