Indian Mallow Plant Care

Indian Mallow (Abutilon theophrasti) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Abutilon genus. Indian Mallow is native to Central and East Asia. Indian Mallow is also known as Velvetleaf, Butterweed, Flower-of-an-hour.

Indian Mallow displays an upright, bushy shrub growth habit, reaching up to 4 ft tall with a spread of approximately 3 ft. Indian Mallow produces bell-shaped flowers in various colors like red, orange, yellow, or pink.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Indian Mallow every 7–10 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established shrubs mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Indian Mallow thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Indian Mallow in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.

Abutilon theophrasti tolerates temperatures of 60–80°F. Indian Mallow prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.

Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Indian Mallow to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Indian Mallow every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established shrubs in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

Choose a spot with bright indirect light and well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Indian Mallow is suited to USDA Zone 4a – 9b.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped shrubs in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Indian Mallow can spread to about 3 ft (0.9 m) and reach about 4 ft (1 m) tall. Space plants about 3 ft (0.9 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the plant spacing calculator.

Prune Indian Mallow while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the shrub in one year.

Indian Mallow is hardy down to USDA zone 4a, so once established it can stay outdoors through winter in that zone and warmer ones.

Water deeply in late autumn before the ground freezes, and spread a 5–8 cm (2–3 in) layer of mulch over the root zone, keeping it away from the trunk.

Young and container-grown shrubs need extra protection: roots in a pot freeze much more easily than roots in the ground.

Indian Mallow can be propagated through softwood cuttings, seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to african lantern plant care, which shares the same genus.

See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.

Indian Mallow is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Indian Mallow grows outdoors in USDA Zone 4a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 4a. Indian Mallow is native to Central and East Asia.