How to Grow Variegated Flowering Maple
Variegated Flowering Maple
Abutilon pictum 'Thompsonii'
shrubVariegated flowering maple is a tropical shrub prized for its striking yellow and green mottled foliage and delicate orange or red bell-shaped flowers. It's an excellent ornamental houseplant or garden specimen in warm climates, reaching 4-8 feet tall. The plant combines colorful foliage with seasonal blooms, making it a dual-interest landscape feature.
When should you plant Variegated Flowering Maple 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.
Example Variegated Flowering Maple timeline · Pittsburgh, PA (Zone 6b)
-
Plant Variegated Flowering Maple
Around Apr 17Near Pittsburgh's average last spring frost.
-
Tend & protect
Late spring–summerWatering, feeding, and pest-watch reminders.
-
Harvest Variegated Flowering Maple
Late summer into fallBefore the first fall frost (≈ Nov 8)
Sample dates for Pittsburgh, PA. Sign up to get exact Variegated Flowering Maple dates for your own zip code.
Growing Conditions
Soil
Growing Zones
Find your zone →Zones 10-11; can be grown indoors or in containers elsewhere
Sign up free to see if Variegated Flowering Maple grows in your zone — and get a personalized planting timeline.
Get my Variegated Flowering Maple timeline →Growth Stages
Young Plant/Establishment
2-3 monthsSmall shrub with variegated leaves developing color. Growth is slow initially as root system establishes.
Plant in well-draining soil. Water regularly but allow soil to dry slightly between waterings. Keep in bright, indirect light. Pinch back growing tips to encourage branching.
Vegetative Growth
3-6 monthsShrub expands, producing new variegated foliage on multiple branches. Plant becomes fuller and more bushy.
Prune and shape as desired. Feed monthly with balanced fertilizer (10-10-10) during growing season. Ensure adequate light to maintain variegation intensity. Remove any all-green shoots that appear.
Bud Formation
3-4 weeksSmall, round buds form in leaf axils along stems. Buds are typically green, then slowly increase in size.
Continue regular watering and monthly fertilizing. Increase phosphorus slightly (fertilizer with higher middle number) to support flowering. Ensure good air circulation.
Flowering
4-8 weeks (extended with deadheading)Delicate, lantern-shaped flowers open in shades of orange, red, pink, or yellow. Flowers are 1-2 inches long and hang pendulously from stems.
Maintain consistent moisture. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage continuous blooming. Continue light fertilizing. Enjoy blooms which typically last several weeks per flower.
Rest/Dormancy
2-4 monthsFlowering slows or stops in fall-winter. Growth rate decreases and plant conserves energy.
Reduce watering frequency. Withhold or reduce fertilizer applications. Maintain bright light. Prune lightly to remove dead wood or shape plant for next season.
Companion Planting
Plan your garden →Plant with:
Avoid planting near:
Common Pests
-
Spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil every 7-10 days. Increase air circulation. Remove heavily infested leaves. Yellow sticky traps can monitor populations.
-
Isolate plant. Dab with rubbing alcohol on a cotton swab. Spray with insecticidal soap. Repeat treatments weekly until clear.
-
Increase humidity by misting. Spray with water to dislodge mites. Use neem oil or sulfur spray if infestation is severe. Repeat every 3-5 days.
-
Spray with strong water stream to remove. Apply insecticidal soap or neem oil. Encourage beneficial predatory insects.
-
Prune off heavily infested branches. Scrape off scale manually. Treat with horticultural oil spray or insecticidal soap repeated every 7-14 days.
Uses
Edible Flowers
CulinaryThe bright flowers are edible and used as garnish in gourmet cooking and beverages, adding visual appeal and a subtle, slightly tart flavor to cocktails and desserts. [source]
Ornamental Houseplant
HouseholdVariegated flowering maple is primarily grown as a tropical houseplant in cooler climates, providing year-round colorful foliage and seasonal blooms to indoor spaces. [source]
Garden Specimen
HouseholdIn warm zones, this shrub serves as an attractive landscape plant for patios, containers, and mixed borders, valued for its dual-season interest of variegated foliage and flowers. [source]
Traditional Medicine
MedicinalIn some tropical regions, Abutilon species have been used in traditional herbal medicine for treating inflammatory conditions and digestive issues, though scientific evidence is limited. [source]
Pollinator Attraction
WildlifeThe flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies, making variegated flowering maple an excellent choice for gardens designed to support pollinator populations. [source]
This is not medical advice. LizPlants is not a medical resource. Always consult a qualified healthcare professional before using plants medicinally.
Harvest Tips
Flowering maple is an ornamental shrub, not harvested for food. Deadhead spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Prune as desired for shape and size control, cutting just above a leaf node or bud. Pruning can be done year-round but is best in late winter before spring growth.
Fun Facts
- 🌱 The common name 'flowering maple' is somewhat misleading—despite the maple-like leaves, Abutilon is not related to true maples (Acer genus). The genus is from the Malvaceae (mallow) family.
- 🌱 The 'Thompsonii' cultivar's variegated foliage is genetically unstable; occasionally shoots with solid green leaves may appear. These revertant shoots should be pruned out to maintain the ornamental variegated appearance, as solid-green growth often takes over due to photosynthetic advantage.
- 🌱 In frost-free zones, variegated flowering maple can become invasive in mild climates, readily self-seeding and establishing in disturbed areas. Regular deadheading and containment are recommended in warm regions.
Join 30,000 gardeners planning their gardens with LizPlants.
Get your personalized Variegated Flowering Maple planting timeline
Tell us your zip code and we'll calculate exactly when to start Variegated Flowering Maple 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 Variegated Flowering Maple timeline →