← Plant Guides

How to Grow Gold Pendant

Wikimedia Commons

Gold Pendant

Abutilon x hybridum 'Gold Pendant'

shrub

Gold Pendant is a tropical flowering shrub known for its bright golden-yellow, bell-shaped flowers that hang like pendants from arching branches. This hybrid abutilon displays attractive maple-like foliage and blooms prolifically from late spring through fall. It's prized as an ornamental for borders, containers, and hanging baskets.

When should you plant Gold Pendant in your zone?

Get a personalized planting timeline — when to start seeds, transplant, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Free to start.

Get my Gold Pendant timeline →

Example Gold Pendant timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)

  1. Plant Gold Pendant

    Around Apr 17

    Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.

  2. Tend & protect

    Late spring–summer

    Watering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.

  3. Harvest Gold Pendant

    Around Aug 15

    ≈ 120 days after planting

Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Gold Pendant dates for your own zip code.

Growing Conditions

☀️
Sun: Full sun to light shade; 6+ hours of direct sunlight for best flowering
💧
Water: Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged during growing season; reduce watering in winter
📏
Spacing: 36 inches
📅
Days to maturity: 120-150 days to significant flowering
🌱
Planting depth: Same depth as root ball for transplants; barely cover seeds

Soil

Type: Well-draining, fertile loamy soil
pH: 6.0-7.0
Amendments:
compost peat moss perlite for container growing

Growing Zones

Find your zone →

Thrives in zones 9b-11; grow in containers in cooler climates for seasonal enjoyment

9b 10a 10b 11a 11b

Sign up free to see if Gold Pendant grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.

Get my Gold Pendant timeline →

Growth Stages

1

Seedling/Young Plant

4-6 weeks

Small plants with tender growth, maple-shaped leaves beginning to emerge

Keep soil moist, protect from direct hot sun initially, maintain warmth (65-75°F)

2

Vegetative Growth

6-8 weeks

Rapid stem and leaf development; plant becomes bushy with increasing foliage

Pinch back growing tips to encourage branching; fertilize bi-weekly with balanced fertilizer

3

Bud Formation

3-4 weeks

Flower buds appear at branch tips; plant continues growing but energy shifts toward flowering

Maintain consistent moisture and warmth; reduce nitrogen-heavy fertilizer, increase phosphorus for flower production

4

Flowering

6-8 months (late spring through fall)

Abundant golden-yellow bell-shaped flowers hang pendulously from branches; continuous blooming

Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms; maintain regular watering; apply dilute fertilizer every 2 weeks

5

Dormancy/Winter Rest

2-4 months

Flowering slows significantly; plant may lose some leaves in cooler regions

Reduce watering and fertilizing; provide bright light; maintain temperatures above 50°F if possible; prune lightly for shape

Companion Planting

Plan your garden →

Plant with:

Salvia Lantana Begonias Caladiums Heliotrope Calibrachoa

Avoid planting near:

Black walnut trees plants preferring dry conditions

Common Pests

  • Spray with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil; encourage beneficial insects; isolate infested plants

  • Increase humidity by misting; spray with water to dislodge; use miticide if severe

  • Spray with strong water stream; apply insecticidal soap; use neem oil in evening

  • Dab with rubbing alcohol on cotton swab; spray with insecticidal soap; remove heavily infested growth

Uses

🌿

Garden and Container Ornamental

Ornamental

Gold Pendant is grown primarily as an ornamental flowering shrub for its striking golden-yellow pendant flowers and attractive foliage. It's ideal for tropical and subtropical gardens, hanging baskets, or container cultivation. [source]

🦋

Hummingbird and Pollinator Attraction

Wildlife

The abundant bell-shaped flowers attract hummingbirds, bees, and other pollinators, making it valuable for supporting wildlife in gardens. [source]

🏠

Indoor Container Plant

Household

In cooler climates, Gold Pendant can be grown as a container houseplant in bright indoor locations and moved outdoors during warm months, extending its growing season. [source]

Harvest Tips

Not typically harvested for food or material; deadhead spent flowers regularly (cut just below the flower base) to promote continuous blooming throughout the season

Fun Facts

  • 🌱 Abutilon is sometimes called 'Chinese Lantern' or 'Flowering Maple,' though it's unrelated to actual maples and native to tropical regions
  • 🌱 Gold Pendant is a hybrid cultivar, meaning it's the result of intentional cross-breeding, which often produces superior ornamental characteristics
  • 🌱 The plant can bloom nearly year-round in frost-free climates, providing consistent color for 8+ months

Gardening Terms

New to gardening? Learn about terms used in this guide:

Deadhead Full Sun Hybrid pH Pinch Back
Shop Gold Pendant plants and related plants at Plant Addicts →

Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.

Get your personalized Gold Pendant planting timeline

Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Gold Pendant seeds, transplant seedlings, and harvest — based on your USDA zone and local frost dates. Includes calendar reminders and printable task lists. Free to start.

Get my Gold Pendant timeline →