---
title: How to Successfully Grow Chinese Lantern (Abutilon) from Cuttings
description: Learn how to easily propagate Abutilon (Chinese Lantern) from cuttings with our step-by-step guide, ensuring vibrant blooms and healthy plants.
---

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## ![5 step guide to growing Abutilon from cuttingsStep 1 Take softwood cuttingsChoose young nonflowering shootsCut 1012cm sections just below a nodeAvoid](https://www.theonlinegardencenter.com/hs-fs/hubfs/AI-Generated%20Media/Images/5%20step%20guide%20to%20growing%20Abutilon%20from%20cuttingsStep%201%20Take%20softwood%20cuttingsChoose%20young%20nonflowering%20shootsCut%201012cm%20sections%20just%20below%20a%20nodeAvoid.png?width=1024&height=1536&name=5%20step%20guide%20to%20growing%20Abutilon%20from%20cuttingsStep%201%20Take%20softwood%20cuttingsChoose%20young%20nonflowering%20shootsCut%201012cm%20sections%20just%20below%20a%20nodeAvoid.png)

## How to grow Abutilon (Chinese Lantern) from cuttings

*Latin: Abutilon spp.*

Abutilon, commonly known as **Chinese Lantern**, is a fast-growing, semi-evergreen shrub with soft stems and bell-shaped flowers. It’s one of the easier flowering shrubs to propagate, especially from softwood cuttings.

If you take cuttings at the right time, they root quickly and grow on fast.

## Quick answer: how to propagate Abutilon

Take softwood cuttings in late spring or summer, place them in a free-draining mix, and keep them warm with light humidity. Most Abutilon cuttings root within a few weeks.

## 5 step guide to growing Abutilon from cuttings

Step 1: Take softwood cuttings

- Choose **young, non-flowering shoots**
- Cut 10–12cm sections just below a node
- Avoid woody or flowering stems

Step 2: Prepare the cutting

- Remove lower leaves
- Leave 2–3 leaves at the top
- Optional: dip in rooting hormone

Step 3: Plant into compost

- Use a **free-draining mix (compost + perlite/grit)**
- Insert cuttings around the edge of the pot
- Firm lightly

Step 4: Create the right environment

- Place in **bright, indirect light**
- Keep warm (around 18–22°C)
- Maintain light humidity (loosely cover if needed)

Step 5: Root and pot on

- Roots form in **2–4 weeks**
- Check with a gentle tug
- Pot on once established

## Best varieties & why

- Abutilon ‘Kentish Belle’ 
    - Vigorous and floriferous
    - Excellent for beginners
- Abutilon ‘Thompsonii’ 
    - Variegated foliage
    - Slightly slower but very decorative
- Abutilon megapotamicum 
    - Trailing habit
    - Ideal for containers and hanging displays

Most Abutilon varieties root easily, but soft, vigorous types perform best.

## Common issues, pests & diseases

Cuttings not rooting

- Often due to using older, woody stems
- Use fresh, soft growth

Rotting cuttings

- Caused by excess moisture
- Improve drainage and reduce watering

Wilting cuttings

- Usually low humidity or too much heat
- Keep conditions stable

Aphids on new growth

- Common on soft stems
- Remove early to prevent spread

## Best fertiliser, soil, lighting & growing conditions

- Light 
    - Bright, indirect light (can take some sun once established)
- Soil 
    - Free-draining, fertile compost
- Water 
    - Moderate watering
    - Avoid waterlogging
- Feeding 
    - Regular feeding during growing season
- Pruning 
    - Light pruning encourages bushier growth
    - Take cuttings during pruning to multiply plants

Abutilon responds well to regular trimming — it keeps plants compact and productive.

## Time of year

- Best taken in **late spring to summer**
- Can root earlier indoors with warmth
- Avoid cold periods — rooting slows significantly

## Plant characteristics

- **Flowering time:** Late spring to autumn (long flowering period)
- **Evergreen/Deciduous:** Semi-evergreen (may drop leaves in colder conditions)
- **Size:** Typically **1–3 metres tall and wide**, depending on variety and pruning
- **Shape:** Soft, shrubby growth with arching or slightly trailing stems

## Climate and regional notes

UK & Ireland

- Often grown in pots or sheltered positions
- May need winter protection

Europe

- Northern regions similar to UK
- Southern regions can grow outdoors more reliably

USA

- Grows well in warmer zones
- Can be grown as a patio or container plant in cooler areas

## Pro tips for better success

- Take multiple cuttings — success rates are high but not guaranteed
- Keep humidity light, not excessive
- Avoid direct sun during rooting
- Pot on early to encourage growth
- Prune regularly to keep plants compact

## 10 frequently asked questions about Abutilon cuttings

**When is the best time to take Abutilon cuttings**  
Late spring to summer, when growth is soft and active.

**How long do cuttings take to root**  
Usually 2–4 weeks in warm conditions.

**Do I need rooting hormone**  
Not essential, but it can improve success slightly.

**Can I grow Abutilon from hardwood cuttings**  
It’s possible, but much slower and less reliable.

**What soil is best for cuttings**  
A free-draining mix with compost and grit or perlite.

**Should I cover the cuttings**  
Light humidity helps, but avoid sealed environments.

**Why are my cuttings wilting**  
Usually due to low humidity or excessive heat.

**Can Abutilon be grown in pots**  
Yes, it performs very well in containers.

**Does Abutilon need pruning**  
Yes, regular pruning improves shape and flowering.

**Is Abutilon easy to propagate**  
Yes — it’s one of the easier flowering shrubs to grow from cuttings.

## Related guides

- If you’re unsure when cuttings are ready to move on, click here: https://www.theonlinegardencenter.com/how-to-garden/how-to-know-when-propagated-plants-are-ready-for-potting-on
- If your cuttings are struggling, it’s often watering — fix that here: https://www.theonlinegardencenter.com/how-to-garden/how-often-to-water-seeds-during-germination
- For a broader approach to propagation methods, read this: https://www.theonlinegardencenter.com/how-to-garden/which-propagation-method-is-best-for-different-types-of-plants

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