Flowering Maple Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava'

👤 Non-toxic to humans

🐾 Non-toxic to pets

🌸 Blooming

🍪 Not edible

‍🌱 Easy-care

ABOUT

The Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava', commonly known as the flowering maple, is a distinct and decorative shrub well-recognized for its lantern-like blossoms that exude an exuberant, tropical flair. This particular cultivar stands out with its flower color—a vibrant blend of orange and yellow, resembling molten lava with its warm, fiery tones. Each flower features a cup-shaped structure with overlapping petals that seem to be delicately painted with streaks of red and yellow, creating a sizzling effect that grabs the observer's attention. The leaves of the flowering maple 'Orange Hot Lava' contribute to its charismatic presence. They are broad, with a somewhat maple-like shape, having three or more shallow lobes and a heart-shaped base, which adds to the ornamental value of the plant. The foliage complements the striking flowers with a rich green canvas that accentuates the bright orange hues of the blooms. Soft to the touch, the leaves can vary in texture, but often have a slightly velvety feel, giving the plant a lush, full appearance. As a shrub, the flowering maple 'Orange Hot Lava' displays a branching habit that lends itself to a bushy growth form, adding to its appeal as a garden specimen or a potted feature. The branches tend to spread outward as much as they ascend, creating an overall balanced and inviting visual. The interplay between the fiery blooms and verdant foliage makes this plant a sizzling addition to any garden setting that aims to offer a splash of color and a touch of the exotic.

Plant Info

Care

Common Problems

About this plant

Names
- Family
  Malvaceae
- Synonyms
  Flowering Maple, Chinese Bell Flower, Chinese Lantern
- Common names
  Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava'.
Toxicity
- To humans
  The flowering maple, known by its cultivar name 'Orange Hot Lava', does not have well-documented cases of toxicity to humans. It is generally considered non-toxic, and there are no widespread reports of poisonings upon ingestion. However, as with any plant, individuals may have varying sensitivities, and it's possible for some people to experience mild stomach upset or an allergic reaction when handling or ingesting parts of the plant, though such cases appear to be rare.
- To pets
  The flowering maple, which 'Orange Hot Lava' is a cultivar of, is not known to be toxic to pets. There are no significant reports of pet poisonings from consuming parts of this plant. However, it's always a good practice to prevent pets from ingesting plants, as individual animals may have unique sensitivities, and consumption of non-food items can potentially lead to gastrointestinal upset or blockages.
Characteristics
- Life cycle
  Perennials
- Foliage type
  Evergreen
- Color of leaves
  Green
- Flower color
  Orange
- Height
  3-4 feet (0.91-1.22 meters)
- Spread
  2-3 feet (0.61-0.91 meters)
- Plant type
  Shrub
- Hardiness zones
  9
- Native area
  South America

Benefits

General Benefits
- Attractive Flowers: Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava' produces vibrant, orange flowers with intricate veining, adding a pop of color and visual interest to gardens and landscapes.
- Extended Blooming Season: This plant typically has a long flowering period, providing a display of color from spring to fall.
- Habitat for Wildlife: The flowers can attract pollinators such as bees and hummingbirds, which are essential for the ecosystem.
- Versatility in Landscape: Can be used in a variety of ways, including as a specimen plant, in borders, or in container gardens.
- Low Maintenance: Requires minimal care once established, making it a suitable choice for gardeners of all skill levels.
- Drought Tolerant: Once established, it is relatively drought tolerant, reducing the need for frequent watering.
- Fast Growth: Tends to grow quickly, which can be advantageous for gardeners looking to achieve a mature look in less time.
- Easy Propagation: Can be easily propagated from cuttings, allowing gardeners to create more plants economically.
Medical Properties
This plant is not used for medical purposes.
Air-purifying Qualities
This plant is not specifically known for air purifying qualities.
Other Uses
- Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava' can be used as a natural dye source. The flowers and leaves contain pigments that may be used to dye fabrics or paper.
- The fibrous stems of this plant can be used in basket weaving. It's a traditional craft practice that can incorporate various plant materials.
- Abutilon flowers, including 'Orange Hot Lava', can be used as a natural food coloring in culinary arts, adding a unique hue to pastries and desserts.
- In crafting, the dried flowers of Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava' can be incorporated into homemade paper for a decorative touch.
- The plant can be used in a sensory garden for educational purposes to help children learn about texture, color, and growth habits of plants.
- Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava' can be used in companion planting to attract beneficial insects that prey on garden pests.
- This variety can be used as a model organism in scientific studies on plant morphology and growth due to its distinct characteristics.
- The vibrant blossoms of Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava' can be used as natural confetti for outdoor celebrations, decomposing without harm to the environment.
- The unique appearance of Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava' can inspire artists and designers, being used as a motif in textile patterns and home décor.
- Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava' can be cultivated as part of urban greening projects to enhance the aesthetic appeal of cityscapes and benefit local biodiversity.

Interesting Facts

Feng Shui
The Abutilon, also known as flowering maple, can be used in Feng Shui to introduce wood element energy due to its lush green leaves and to add vibrant yang energy with its bright orange flowers; it's particularly beneficial in the Wealth or Prosperity sector to encourage abundance, or in the Health sector to promote well-being.
Zodiac Sign Compitability
The Abutilon, or flowering maple, is not used in astrology practice.
Plant Symbolism
- Potential: The prolific growth and showy blooms of the flowering maple (common name of Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava') symbolize the potential for growth and abundance in various aspects of life.
- Protection: As a houseplant, the flowering maple is believed to represent safety and shielding from harm, reflecting its nature of cozy indoor living.
- Brightness: The bright, lava-like orange flowers of this cultivar symbolize energy, enthusiasm, and a bright disposition, much like the warm glow of lava.
- Adaptability: The ability of the flowering maple to thrive in various conditions symbolizes flexibility and adaptability in life's circumstances.
- Beauty and Grace: The delicate bell-shaped flowers and the plant's overall elegant appearance symbolize the idea of natural beauty and gracefulness.

💧

Every 1-2 weeks

Water

☀️

2500 - 10000 Lux

Light

💦️

Humidity

🪴

Every year

Repotting

🌱️

Spring-Summer

Propogation

✂️️

As needed

Pruning

Water
The Flowering Maple, as Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava' is commonly known, should be watered deeply when the top inch of soil feels dry to the touch. This typically means watering approximately once a week, but frequency can vary based on environmental conditions like temperature and humidity. Each watering should be thorough, saturating the soil to encourage deep root growth, but ensure that the plant is not left in standing water. An average sized Flowering Maple may need about 1 to 2 gallons of water per week. During the growing season in spring and summer, you may need to water more frequently, while in winter, less water is required.
Light
Flowering Maple thrives best in bright, indirect light. An ideal spot would be a location where the plant receives morning sun and afternoon shade, such as an east-facing window or a few feet away from a south-facing window. Too much direct sunlight can scorch the leaves, while too little light can cause leggy growth and fewer flowers.
Temperature
For the Flowering Maple, the ideal temperature range is between 60 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit for active growth. Temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can damage the plant, and it should not be exposed to frost. This plant prefers a consistent climate without dramatic temperature swings.
Pruning
The Flowering Maple benefits from regular pruning to encourage bushier growth and more abundant flowering. Prune in late winter or early spring before new growth begins for the best results. Remove any dead or damaged branches, as well as any long, leggy stems to maintain the desired shape. Pruning is generally needed once a year, but periodic pinching of new growth can be done throughout the growing season to promote fullness.
Cleaning
As needed
Soil
The best soil mix for the Flowering Maple 'Orange Hot Lava' is well-draining, rich, and loamy with the addition of peat or compost to enhance fertility. Ideal soil pH for this plant ranges between 6.0 and 7.5, slightly acidic to neutral.
Repotting
Flowering Maples, including 'Orange Hot Lava', should be repotted every 1-2 years, preferably in the spring, to ensure continued growth and vigour.
Humidity & Misting
Flowering Maple 'Orange Hot Lava' thrives in moderate to high humidity levels ranging from 50% to 75%, mimicking its natural tropical habitat.
Suitable locations
- Indoor
  Place Flowering Maple 'Orange Hot Lava' in bright, indirect light and keep warm.
- Outdoor
  Grow Flowering Maple 'Orange Hot Lava' in partial shade and shelter from wind.
- Hardiness zone
  9-11 USDA
Life cycle
Flowering maple 'Orange Hot Lava' begins its life cycle when a seed is planted and germinates in well-draining soil with adequate warmth and moisture, sprouting into a seedling with characteristic maple-like leaves. As it grows, the seedling enters the vegetative stage, where it develops a stronger root system and more leaves in preparation for flowering. The transition to the flowering stage occurs as the plant matures and is influenced by longer daylight hours, with the plant producing vibrant orange-red flowers with veined patterns that attract pollinators. After pollination, the flowers develop into seed pods that, when mature, release seeds, completing the reproductive cycle. If environmental conditions are not favorable for seeding, the plant can also propagate through cuttings taken from healthy adult plants. Throughout its life, the flowering maple 'Orange Hot Lava' requires regular watering, occasional feeding, and protection from frost to thrive and repeat its life cycle annually as a perennial in suitable climates.
Propogation
- Propogation time
  Spring-Summer
- The most popular method of propagating Abutilon 'Orange Hot Lava', commonly known as flowering maple, is through semi-ripe stem cuttings. This process is typically done in late summer. Cuttings of about 4 to 6 inches (10 to 15 centimeters) are taken from the current year's growth. The lower leaves are removed and the cut end is dipped in rooting hormone to enhance root development. The cuttings are then placed in a well-draining potting mix and kept warm and moist until roots have developed, which usually takes a few weeks. It is important to maintain high humidity around the cuttings, which can be achieved by covering them with a plastic bag or placing them in a propagator. Once rooted, the new plants can be potted individually and gradually acclimatized to less humid conditions.