Getting it to bloom

Why won't my Grapeleaf Abutilon bloom? (and how to make it flower)

Also called Grapeleaf Abutilon, Chilean Tree Mallow, Vine-leaved Abutilon (Abutilon vitifolium).

More about grapeleaf abutilon

About Grapeleaf Abutilon

Abutilon vitifolium · also called Grapeleaf Abutilon, Chilean Tree Mallow · flowering

Native to Chile, Abutilon vitifolium (now sometimes reclassified as Corynabutilon vitifolium by some authorities) is an exceptionally fast-growing large deciduous shrub or small tree, producing a stunning display of saucer-shaped lavender to white flowers in late spring and early summer. Unlike most Abutilon species it tolerates moderate frost, making it one of the hardiest in the genus and useful across a wide range of UK gardens given a sheltered, sunny position. The critical care point is excellent drainage — it will not tolerate waterlogged soil at any season. Abutilon is not listed on the ASPCA toxic plant database and is considered non-toxic to cats and dogs.

Plant type: flowering

The reasons grapeleaf abutilon isn't blooming

Almost every non-blooming grapeleaf abutilon traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:

Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.

Feeding grapeleaf abutilon a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.

The fix — how to get grapeleaf abutilon to flower

Maximise sun. Give grapeleaf abutilon the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.

Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for grapeleaf abutilon and get the feeding right with the grapeleaf abutilon fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.

Bloom season and what to expect

Grapeleaf Abutilon flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.

Post-bloom care so it flowers again

Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.

For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full grapeleaf abutilon care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.

Grapeleaf Abutilon blooming — frequently asked questions

Why won't my grapeleaf abutilon flower?

Grapeleaf Abutilon blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.

How do I make grapeleaf abutilon bloom?

Give grapeleaf abutilon the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.

When does grapeleaf abutilon normally bloom?