Description
Callianthe picta is a native to subtropical and tropical regions of South America, including Argentina, Brazil, and Paraguay, it is a fast-growing, evergreen shrub or small tree. Despite its common name, it is not a true maple but gets the name from its maple-like, lobed leaves.
The plant is most famous for its showy, bell-shaped flowers that droop downwards like Chinese lanterns. These flowers are typically yellow or orange with distinctive, prominent dark red or purple veins, which gives rise to its specific epithet picta, meaning painted. Callianthe picta is a popular ornamental plant in gardens with mild climates and can also be grown as a houseplant. The plant was formerly classified under the genus Abutilon as Abutilon pictum, but recent molecular studies have led to its reclassification into the genus Callianthe.
Germination Guide
🌍 Southern Brazil, Argentina, Paraguay, Uruguay
Easy
Abutilon pictum is a tropical evergreen shrub native to South America, commonly known as painted abutilon, redvein abutilon, Chinese lantern, or flowering maple. Seeds are small and hard but germinate readily with proper pre-treatment.
Germination
Germination time
Expect germination in
5 – 21 days
Temperature
Min 65°C
Ideal 70°C
Max 75°C
Substrate moisture
💧 Medium
Sowing depth
Lightly covered
Seed Pre-treatment
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💧
Soaking — 12 hours
Soak seeds overnight or for a few hours before sowing; one source recommends 140°F water for fastest germination
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🔨
Mechanical scarification
Scarify seeds by gently scratching or nicking the seed coat to help water penetrate
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📋
Additional notes
Pre-treatment with soaking significantly improves germination rate and uniformity
Substrate & Container
Recommended substrate
Light, well-draining seed-starting mix; peat, perlite, vermiculite, or sandy soil
Recommended container
Pots with cover (glass or plastic sheet) for germination
Growing Tips
Seeds germinate fastest at 65-70°F with proper soaking. Keep soil consistently moist but not waterlogged. Provide bright light once germination begins. Most seeds sprout within 9 days but can take up to 3 weeks.
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