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Summary
Physical Characteristics
Hibiscus mutabilis is a deciduous Shrub growing to 3 m (9ft) by 3 m (9ft).
See above for USDA hardiness. It is hardy to UK zone 8 and is frost tender. It is in flower from August to October, and the seeds ripen from September to November. The species is hermaphrodite (has both male and female organs) and is pollinated by Insects.
Suitable for: light (sandy), medium (loamy) and heavy (clay) soils and prefers well-drained soil. Suitable pH: mildly acid, neutral and basic (mildly alkaline) soils. It cannot grow in the shade. It prefers moist soil.
UK Hardiness Map
US Hardiness Map
Synonyms
Habitats
Woodland Garden Sunny Edge; Dappled Shade;
Edible Uses
Edible Parts: Leaves Root
Edible Uses: Rutin
Leaves[177]. The leaves contain rutin, but the report does not say what quantity[218]. Root - it is edible but very fibrousy[144]. Mucilaginous, without very much flavour[144].
References More on Edible Uses
Medicinal Uses
Plants For A Future can not take any responsibility for any adverse effects from the use of plants. Always seek advice from a professional before using a plant medicinally.
Antiphlogistic Demulcent Depurative Expectorant Febrifuge
The leaves are anodyne, antidotal, demulcent, expectorant and refrigerant[218]. With the flowers, they are applied to burns, swellings and other skin problems[147, 218, 240]. The flowers are antiphlogistic, depurative, febrifuge, pulmonary and stimulant[147, 240]. A decoction is used in the treatment of lung ailments[218, 240].
References More on Medicinal Uses
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Other Uses
Fibre
A fibre from the bark is used for making cords and rope[178, 272].
Special Uses
References More on Other Uses
Cultivation details
Prefers a well-drained humus rich fertile soil in full sun[200]. Prefers a warm but wet winter[260]. This species is not very hardy in Britain, it is frost-tender and top growth will be killed by even a slight frost. However, the roots are somewhat hardier and the plant can resprout from the base after a few degrees of frost[200, 260]. The plant can probably be grown outdoors in the mildest areas of the country especially if given a good mulch in the winter. It is widely cultivated in tropical and occasionally in temperate areas as an ornamental plant, there are many named varieties[200].
References Carbon Farming Information and Carbon Sequestration Information
Temperature Converter
Type a value in the Celsius field to convert the value to Fahrenheit:
Fahrenheit:
The PFAF Bookshop
Plants For A Future have a number of books available in paperback and digital form. Book titles include Edible Plants, Edible Perennials, Edible Trees, and Woodland Gardening. Our new book to be released soon is Edible Shrubs.
Shop Now
Propagation
Seed - sow early spring in a warm greenhouse. Germination is usually fairly rapid. Prick out the seedlings into individual pots when they are large enough to handle. If growing them as annuals, plant them out into their permanent positions in early summer and protect them with a frame or cloche until they are growing away well. If hoping to grow them as perennials, then it is better to grow them on in the greenhouse for their first year and to plant them out in early summer of the following year. Cuttings of half-ripe wood, July/August in a frame. Overwinter them in a warm greenhouse and plant out after the last expected frosts.
Other Names
If available other names are mentioned here
Native Plant Search
Search over 900 plants ideal for food forests and permaculture gardens. Filter to search native plants to your area. The plants selected are the plants in our book 'Plants For Your Food Forest: 500 Plants for Temperate Food Forests and Permaculture Gardens, as well as plants chosen for our forthcoming related books for Tropical/Hot Wet Climates and Mediterranean/Hot Dry Climates. Native Plant Search
Found In
Countries where the plant has been found are listed here if the information is available
Weed Potential
Right plant wrong place. We are currently updating this section.
Please note that a plant may be invasive in one area but may not in your area so it’s worth checking.
Conservation Status
IUCN Red List of Threatened Plants Status :
| Related Plants
|
| Latin Name | Common Name | Habit | Height | Hardiness | Growth | Soil | Shade | Moisture | Edible | Medicinal | Other |
| Hibiscus acetosella | Cranberry Hibiscus | Annual/Perennial | 1.5 |
9-11
| M | LMH | N | M | 3 | 2 | 2 |
| Hibiscus cannabinus | Kenaf, Brown Indianhemp | Annual/Perennial | 1.8 |
6-12
| F | LMH | N | M | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Hibiscus diversifolius | Swamp Hibiscus | Shrub | 1.0 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 1 | |
| Hibiscus heterophyllus | Native Rosella | Shrub | 1.8 |
9-11
| | LMH | N | M | 2 | 0 | 1 |
| Hibiscus moscheutos | Swamp Rose Mallow, Crimsoneyed rosemallow, Wild Cotton, Common Rosemallow, Eastern Rosemallow, Swamp | Perennial | 2.5 |
6-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 1 | 2 | |
| Hibiscus radiatus | Monarch Rosemallow. Ruby hibiscus, Clavelina | Shrub | 2.0 |
9-11
| M | LMH | SN | M | 2 | 1 | 2 |
| Hibiscus rosa-sinensis | Chinese Hibiscus, Shoeblackplant, Hawaiian Hibiscus, Tropical Hibiscus, China Rose, Rose-of-China, S | Shrub | 2.5 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | M | 3 | 3 | 3 |
| Hibiscus sabdariffa | Roselle | Annual/Perennial | 3.0 |
9-12
| | LMH | N | M | 3 | 3 | 2 |
| Hibiscus sinosyriacus | Rose Of Sharon | Shrub | 3.0 |
6-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 3 |
| Hibiscus syriacus | Rose Of Sharon, Althaea, Shrub Althea, Hardy Hibiscus | Shrub | 3.0 |
5-9
| M | LMH | SN | M | 4 | 2 | 2 |
| Hibiscus tilliaceus | Beach Hibiscus, Sea Hibiscus | Tree | 8.0 |
10-12
| F | LM | N | DMWe | 2 | 1 | 3 |
| Hibiscus trionum | Flower Of An Hour | Annual/Perennial | 0.6 |
9-11
| F | LMH | N | DM | 2 | 1 | 0 |
| Talipariti tiliaceum | Beach Hibiscus, Sea Hibiscus, Cottontree, Mahoe | Tree | 10.0 |
10-12
| F | LMH | N | MWe | 3 | 2 | 4 |
|
Growth: S = slow M = medium F = fast. Soil: L = light (sandy) M = medium H = heavy (clay). pH: A = acid N = neutral B = basic (alkaline). Shade: F = full shade S = semi-shade N = no shade. Moisture: D = dry M = Moist We = wet Wa = water.
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Botanical References
58200
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