Hibiscus tiliaceus

Common Names

Sea Hibiscus, Beach Hibiscus, Cottontree, Mahoe

Summary

Sea hibiscus is a pantropical coastal evergreen tree with a broad crown, typically 4–12 m tall and a short crooked trunk. It has large heart-shaped leaves with a dark green upper surface and a paler underside, and bright yellow flowers with a deep red center that deepen to orange and red as the day progresses, blooming year-round.

It grows best in full sun to light shade on well-drained soils but tolerates a wide range of conditions from sandy to limestone (pH 5–8.5) and salt spray; propagation is by seed or cuttings, with regular watering during establishment and rainfall thereafter; pruning after flowering maintains shape; in landscapes it serves as a hedge, windbreak, or specimen and provides timber for outriggers and canoes, fibers for rope, and edible flowers.

Lifecycle

Perennial

Height

13-33 ft

Spread

12-25 feet

Hardiness Zones

Zones 10-12

Sunlight Requirements

Ideally full sun; tolerates partial shade.

Soil Type

Moist, well-drained, humus-rich soil

Soil Drainage

Well-drained soil

Soil pH

5–8.5 (slightly acidic to alkaline), broad pH tolerance

Bloom Color

Yellow with a deep red center; ages to orange/red.

Bloom Time

Year-round; peak in Summer

Foliage Color

Bright green above; gray-green beneath.

Fall Foliage Color

No fall color; evergreen.

Leaf Lifecycle

Evergreen broadleaf

Growth Rate

0.75–1.5 m/yr (2.5–5 ft/yr) fast growth

Seasons of Interest

Spring, Summer, Fall, Winter

Propagation Methods

Seeds, Cuttings, Layering, Grafting, Division

Attracts Wildlife

Attracts bees, butterflies, other pollinators and birds