How to Care for an Abutilon Red Tiger
- 1). Keep your Abutilon Red Tiger in a large potter or container (less than 30 inches in diameter) in an area of the garden that will get full sun to partial shade. The Red Tiger requires a plant hardiness zone of at least 8. If less than 8, which are areas of moderate climates that may get winter freezes, the shrub will most likely only bloom once and may not survive at all.
- 2). Water the shrub frequently. The Red Tiger requires moist soil, meaning that it should never dry out. Check the soil twice a week, feeling with your fingertips for dry spots. Whenever the soil gets dry, make sure to water it until it is moist. During the summer months, you may need to water every other day.
- 3). Fertilize the Abutilon every month during active growth. Alternate between a 20-20-20 all-purpose fertilizer and a 15-30-15 liquid fertilizer at half strength. Follow the manufacturer's instructions regarding the amount of fertilizer to use on your shrub, based on its size.
- 4). Prune your Red Tiger regularly with garden shears, especially if you want to keep the plant indoors.
- 5). Take the Abutilon indoors as soon as there are signs of frost. While the shrub is somewhat frost hardy, it will not survive temperatures below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. Keep the shrub in a warm room that gets full, afternoon sunlight.