Hibiscus coccineus

Common Names

Scarlet Hibiscus, Texas Star Hibiscus, Swamp Hibiscus, Scarlet Rose Mallow, Water Hibiscus, Wild Red Mallow

Summary

Scarlet hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus) is a woody-based, tall perennial native to wetlands of the southeastern United States, typically reaching 6–8 feet in height and 2–3 feet wide with palmately divided, dark-green leaves. It bears large scarlet red flowers that bloom through midsummer into early fall, and occurs in swamps, marshes, and ditches with moist to wet soils; it dies back to the ground in winter in colder regions and re-sprouts in spring, with blooms attracting hummingbirds and butterflies.

It prefers full sun to partial shade and consistently moist, wet soils, thriving in hot, humid summers; hardy in USDA zones 5–9; propagation by seed or stem cuttings; regular care includes monthly fertilization during the growing season and winter mulch to protect roots, with late-winter to early-spring pruning to rejuvenate; it can be grown outdoors in warm regions or in containers in cooler regions, and is suitable for wetlands, rain gardens, borders, courtyards, ponds, or along streams as a specimen plant.

Lifecycle

Perennial, dies back in winter and regrows in spring.

Height

6-8 feet

Spread

2-3 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 5-9

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally Full Sun; tolerates Partial Shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained soil rich in organic matter

Soil Drainage

Moist but well-drained soil

Soil pH

Hibiscus coccineus has no specific ideal soil pH; it tolerates a range, generally slightly acidic around 6.0–6.5.

Bloom Color

Red

Bloom Time

Summer and Fall

Foliage Color

Dark green to deep green, sometimes with a reddish hue.

Fall Foliage Color

Red

Leaf Lifecycle

Deciduous

Growth Rate

Fast-growing

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, and Winter.

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Bees, Hummingbirds, Butterflies, Other pollinators, Birds (via hummingbirds)