Chinese Lantern

Chinese Lantern | Abutilon × hybridum | Flowering Maple | Indian Mallow

Chinese Lantern is a fast‑growing, evergreen shrub (grown as an annual or houseplant in cooler climates) prized for its striking, pendulous, bell‑shaped blooms that resemble delicate paper lanterns in vibrant shades of orange, red, pink, and yellow. This captivating selection from the Abutilon genus is known for its distinctive maple‑like foliage, upright branching habit, and nearly nonstop flowering from spring through fall. Its nectar‑rich blossoms draw bees and hummingbirds, making it a standout choice for pollinator gardens, large containers, borders, and bright indoor spaces. With its elegant form and reliable performance in garden or home settings, Chinese Lantern offers exotic beauty with minimal maintenance.

Growing Chinese Lantern

• Light: Full sun to partial shade; prefers bright indirect light indoors and appreciates afternoon shade in hotter climates.
• Soil: Rich, well‑drained soil; thrives in fertile mixtures with good aeration.
• Water: Moderate; water regularly to keep the soil consistently moist but not waterlogged, reducing frequency slightly in winter.
• Maintenance: Pinch back young stem tips to encourage a bushier shape. Light pruning in early spring stimulates new growth and more blooms.
• Wildlife: Highly attractive to bees and hummingbirds; adds wonderful kinetic energy to the garden as birds visit the dangling flowers.
• Hardiness: Perennial in USDA zones 9–10; grown as an annual or overwintered indoors in cooler regions.

Shipping Info

Chinese Lantern plants are shipped as healthy young starts in 4" nursery pots. Allow 1–2 weeks after arrival for plants to recover from shipping and resume active growth before repotting or planting outdoors.