Rose Mallow hibiscus
Hibiscus moscheutos also known as Rose mallow or Swamp Mallow is a cold-hardy perennial that grows in zones 4-9. The plant can grow up to 3-8 ft tall depending on cultivar and produces spectacular, dish plate sized, flowers 5-12” wide that bloom in mid-summer until first frost. The large, showy flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.
Care
Grow it in rich moist, well-drained soil with a ph 6.5-7.5. It will tolerate occasional wet soil. Hibiscus moscheutos can grow in full sun to part shade but blooms better in full sun. Fertilize in spring with a 10-10-10 . Mulch the plant during the dry summer to maintain even moisture. They should not be allowed to wilt. To prolong blooming time, deadhead flowers and remove seed pods.
When finished blooming allow the plant to dieback before cutting the stems 3” above the ground or cut back in the spring. In cooler climates, it will completely die back to the ground in winter, therefore mark the area where it was growing so that you know where to find it next season and mulch the area to protect the roots. It will return the following late spring but needs warm weather and long days to break dormancy. In cooler climates, it may not appear until June.
Propagation
It can be started from seed. Soak the seeds overnight before planting. Start seeds indoors in late winter/early spring. Hybrid seeds will not come true but will revert to original plant. They can also be propagated from soft-wood tip cuttings in the spring or hard-wood cutting in fall as well as root division.
A new cultivar for this season is “Cranberry Crush” a deep red color.
Problems:
Japanese beetles
- Tropical Hibiscus Growing Tropical Hibiscus A popular plant sold at box stores and...
H. moscheutos
i bought a beautiful hibiscus tree and shrub last summer i was told i could leave them outside for the winter ( i live in Buffalo, ny) as of today either is showing any signs of life. did i kill them by not bringinging them inside. i pruned both back. i am seeing a little green when i scratch at the base of the tree and was told if i try to pull the tree up and it doesn’t come out the roots are still alive. plz help!!!!! ty
Seed pod
Is it advantageous to the Hibiscus moscheutos plant to leave the seed pod attatched over the winter? Do the ‘dropped’ seeds produce new hibiscus starts?
Help! I just recently moved to MS zone 8. Bought two beautiful Hibiscus late last summer and planted outside. Didn’t ask if they were hardy (silly me, I moved from FL) and it appears they are not as they are now black and wilted after a recent frost. One of the locals said to just cut it back even with the ground and next Spring all will be well! Is this possible?? They are well mulched and seemed to love their location responding beautifully after the transplant from pot to ground.
When to divide
Can a hardy hibiscus, about 6 feet tall and now 6 feet wide be divided? If so, when is a good time to do so? The flowers are about the size of a large dinner plate and are so beautiful! Should this plant be cut down to the ground before winter too? Please help. Thank you
Early Bud drop
I have a rose mallow hibiscus indoors. The plant looks perfectly healthy but the flowers have all fallen off before blooming. What’s causing this and will they grow back this season?
I have a mallow hibiscus (clown) that produced abudant buds this Spring, yet now that my other mallow hibiscus have move from buds to blooms, the Clown’s buds are turning yellow and falling off. What could the problem be?
transplant shock
I have a Swamp Mallow Hibiscus that is in a pot and has bloomed beautifully for several weeks. The pot was a large pot, but slightly small for the 22 shoots that the plant put out this year, so after the main blooming was over we transplanted it to a larger pot, and now the plant has started drooping, one stem at a time. The leaves are wilting, but the stems are showing no sign of root-rot, are perfectly green and inside they have no discoloration. Is this stress from being re-potted? Would stress make it wilt one stem at a time? If so, what do I need to do for it to keep it from dying? I have moved it to the shade and am watering less, but don’t know what else to do.
Any information would be appreciated, because I really hate it lose the plant.
I just purchased a Rose Mallow Hibiscus and would like to grow it in a pot because I live in Canada zone 3 and 4 and pretty much know that since it’s a tropical flower it should be brought inside over the fall and winter months. My questions are can it be grown in a pot and what do I need for soil etc… How big should the pot be, right now I have pots that are twice as big as the plant itself. Do I have to do anything special to the plant before bringing it indoors for the winter months?
Thank-you ! Alli
Hi Alli
What type of hibiscus is it? Hibiscus moschetos?
Hibiscus moscheutos:
I have planted this about 3 months ago. They bloom perfectly last about 1 -2 days then wilt. Any suggestions
I was just given a beautiful Rose Mallow Hibiscus (moscheutos). I would like to plant it in the garden but am concerned that late summer in New England may not be the right time… can I transplant now or should I wait until spring and, if so, how do I care for it inside, in a pot all fall and winter? I am new to plants in general so all advice is welcome! I don;t want to lose this hibiscus – it is beautiful…