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Plant care

Eared Abutilon (Eared Indian Mallow) care

Abutilon auritum

Also called Eared Abutilon, Eared Indian Mallow.

RHS H1bUSDA 10–12Pet-safeIndoor Up to 2–3 m tall and 1.5 m wide in ideal tropical conditions

Watering rhythm

5-7days

Every 5–7 days in growing season, every 10–14 days in winter

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Light

Bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window)

Soil

Well-draining loam-based compost

Humidity

50–70%

Temp

15–30°C

Pet safety

Pet-safe

Mature size

Up to 2–3 m tall and 1.5 m wide in ideal tropical conditions

Care at a glance

Light

Eared Abutilon is what florists mean by "bright spot, no direct sun" — close enough to a south or east window to feel the brightness, with a sheer curtain or a few feet of distance keeping the sun off the leaves. Position in bright, filtered light or a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade; intense midday sun can scorch the soft, hairy leaves. A phone lux-meter at the leaf surface should read 1,500-3,000 lux at noon.

Watering

Water eared abutilon every 5–7 days in growing season, every 10–14 days in winter. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Keep the root zone evenly moist during active growth but allow the top 2–3 cm of compost to dry slightly between waterings; never allow the pot to stand in water.

Soil and pot

Eared Abutilon grows best in well-draining loam-based compost. Use a peat-free loam-based mix amended with 20–30% perlite or coarse grit to maintain fertility while preventing waterlogging. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.

Humidity and temperature

Eared Abutilon sits happiest at around 50–70% humidity and 15–30°C (59–86°F). As a tropical species it appreciates moderate to high humidity; mist foliage occasionally or stand the pot on a tray of damp gravel in dry indoor environments. If you keep the room above 15–30°C year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.

Fertilising

Feed eared abutilon sparingly. Feed with a balanced liquid fertiliser every two weeks from spring through late summer; reduce to monthly in autumn and withhold entirely in winter. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.

Common problems

Below are the issues we see most often on eared abutilon in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.

  • Whitefly and aphid infestations — Soft new growth is a prime target; inspect the undersides of leaves regularly and treat outbreaks promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil.
  • Root rot from overwatering — Stems may wilt and blacken at the base; ensure fast-draining compost and allow the surface to dry slightly between waterings to prevent Phytophthora root rot.

Propagation

Take 8–10 cm softwood or semi-ripe stem-tip cuttings in spring or early summer; root in moist perlite at 20–25°C. Seeds can be sown at 18–21°C but germination is slow and variable. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.

Toxicity to pets

Eared Abutilon is pet-safe. Abutilon is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database as harmful to cats or dogs and is widely regarded as non-toxic; ingestion of large quantities of any plant material may still cause mild gastrointestinal upset. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).

Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.

Eared Abutilon care — frequently asked questions

What is the common name for Abutilon auritum?

Abutilon auritum is most commonly called Eared Abutilon, but it is also known as Eared Abutilon, Eared Indian Mallow. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Eared Abutilon apply identically to anything sold as Eared Indian Mallow.

How much light does eared abutilon need?

Eared Abutilon grows best in bright indirect light (just back from a sunny window). Position in bright, filtered light or a spot with morning sun and afternoon shade; intense midday sun can scorch the soft, hairy leaves.

How often should I water eared abutilon?

Water eared abutilon every 5–7 days in growing season, every 10–14 days in winter. Keep the root zone evenly moist during active growth but allow the top 2–3 cm of compost to dry slightly between waterings; never allow the pot to stand in water. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.

Is eared abutilon toxic to cats and dogs?

Eared Abutilon is pet-safe. Abutilon is not listed on the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant database as harmful to cats or dogs and is widely regarded as non-toxic; ingestion of large quantities of any plant material may still cause mild gastrointestinal upset.

What USDA hardiness zone does eared abutilon grow in?

Eared Abutilon is rated for USDA zone 10–12 (indoor in most climates) and RHS hardiness H1b. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.

Eared Abutilon deep-dive guides

Every aspect of eared abutilon care, each with its own calibrated guide:

Featured in these plant shortlists

Eared Abutilon qualifies for 9 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:

Related guides

Eared Abutilon is also commonly called Eared Abutilon or Eared Indian Mallow.