Malvaceae; native to South America.

Germination: To grow as houseplants, sow anytime of the year, barely covering the seed and maintaining a temperature of 75° F. Germination takes 14-21 days. To grow outdoors, start indoors in early spring. Seed sown in spring will bloom the following winter.

Growth: Grow in an area with at least 4 hours of direct sunlight each day. Flowering Maple can tolerate partial shade during the summer months. Use a rich growing medium, kept moist at all times, in an area with high humidity. Plants thrive in 50-60° F nights, 70-75° F days. For best blooms, keep plants pot-bound and fertilize lightly. Prune occasionally to encourage bushier plants.

Appearance and Use: Vigorous, floriferous plants, up to 3 feet tall, are winter-blooming indoors and ever-blooming outdoors. Bell-shaped pendant, 3-inch flowers or red, orange, pink, or white have the look of crepe paper. Maple-like pubescent foliage may be green or variegated. Old-fashioned plants, sometimes referred to as Chinese Lanterns, are grown as houseplants, in hanging baskets or tubs, and in greenhouses.

Buy it here: Park Seed