Hibiscus acetosella: Country Or Region Of Origin
Burundi to S. Tropical Africa
Plant Profile: Hibiscus acetosella
Taxonomy: Hibiscus acetosellaNames
African Rosemallow, Cranberry Hibiscus, False Roselle, Maroon Mallow, Red Hibiscus, Red-leaved Hibiscus
Phonetic Spelling:hih-BIS-kus a-sey-toe-SELL-ah
Genus:Hibiscus
Species:acetosella
Family:Malvaceae
When you think of hibiscus, the vibrant flowers likely come to mind, but it's the foliage of Hibiscus acetosella that truly distinguishes it. This plant can grow impressively, reaching up to 2.5 feet in width and 5 feet in height within a single season, thriving best in soil that is average to moist, but not overly saturated.
Ideal Planting Locations: Hibiscus acetosella is well-suited for various settings, including cottage gardens, borders, as a specimen plant, in containers, or as part of a hedge. Even if you choose to cultivate it as an annual, incorporating this plant can enhance the diversity and texture of your landscape. If grown in pots, some pruning may be necessary. For those looking to introduce a splash of color, pairing Hibiscus acetosella's striking leaves with plants that feature green or silver foliage can create a beautiful contrast. Additionally, if you decide to treat it as an annual, it can serve as a lovely houseplant during the winter months.
Wildlife Benefits: The Hibiscus genus is known to attract specific pollinators, including the specialized bee Ptilothrix bombiformis.
Hibiscus acetosella Feature Summary
Hibiscus acetosella Image Gallery
Tags
#full sun tolerant
#maroon
#specimen
#wildlife plant
#red flowers
#crimson
#nectar plant
#showy leaves
#cottage garden
#interesting leaves
#hedges
#specialized bees
#fast growing
#summer flowers
#borders
#bee friendly
#container plants
Similar Plants
Hibiscus acetosella is often confused with:
Hibiscus acetosella Feature Summary
Attributes
Burundi to S. Tropical Africa
Members of the genus Hibiscus support the following specialized bee: Ptilothrix bombiformis.
Perennial
Annual
Seed
Stem Cutting
Wildlife Food Source
Flowers
Flowers are usually maroon (brownish-red) or crimson. These inconspicuous flowers are about 2 inches. Unlike most flowers, this plant generally does not bloom in spring and may not even bloom in summer: instead, blooming generally in late summer, fall, and sometimes in winter (short day plant), this plant gives color into your garden when you probably do not have many flowers growing. Depending on the type of Hibiscus acetosella, this plant may bloom in other seasons.
Pink
Purple/Lavender
Gold/Yellow
Red/Burgundy
Brown/Copper
Insignificant
Summer
Fall
Winter
1-3 inches
Leaves
Leaves are usually maroon (brownish-red), dark purple, or crimson but some can have tints of green. This plant has palmate, (unequally) dissected, and lobed or unlobed leaves. While the leaves are interesting in themselves because of the color that they add to the landscape, if you really want to make them stand out, you could add lighter colored plants behind it to make this plant stand out; or grow it in a place where behind sunlight can make this plant really stand out in contrast to its dark leaves.
Green
Variegated
Red/Burgundy
Purple/Lavender
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Whole Plant Traits
Perennial
Annual
Houseplant
Rapid
Cultural Conditions
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Good Drainage
3 feet-6 feet
Coastal
8b
8a
9a
9b
Stem
Landscape
Pollinator Garden
Winter Garden
Cottage Garden
Border
Hedge
Specimen
Container
Houseplants
Bees
Specialized Bees
Hibiscus acetosella Image Gallery
Hibiscus acetosella Attributes
Hibiscus acetosella: Wildlife Value
Members of the genus Hibiscus support the following specialized bee: Ptilothrix bombiformis.
Hibiscus acetosella: Life Cycle
Annual
Biennial
Bulb
Perennial
Woody
Hibiscus acetosella: Recommended Propagation Strategy
Division
Grafting
Layering
Leaf Cutting
Root Cutting
Seed
Stem Cutting
Hibiscus acetosella: Play Value
Attractive Flowers
Attracts Pollinators
Buffer
Colorful
Defines Paths
Easy to Grow
Edible fruit
Fragrance
Pieces Used in Games
Screening
Shade
Sound
Textural
Wildlife Cover/Habitat
Wildlife Food Source
Wildlife Larval Host
Wildlife Nesting
Wind Break
Wind Shimmer
Hibiscus acetosella Flowers
Hibiscus acetosella: Flower Description
Flowers are usually maroon (brownish-red) or crimson. These inconspicuous flowers are about 2 inches. Unlike most flowers, this plant generally does not bloom in spring and may not even bloom in summer: instead, blooming generally in late summer, fall, and sometimes in winter (short day plant), this plant gives color into your garden when you probably do not have many flowers growing. Depending on the type of Hibiscus acetosella, this plant may bloom in other seasons.
Hibiscus acetosella: Flower Color
Brown/Copper
Gold/Yellow
Pink
Purple/Lavender
Red/Burgundy
Hibiscus acetosella: Flower Inflorescence
Catkin
Corymb
Cyme
Head
Insignificant
Panicle
Raceme
Solitary
Spadix
Spike
Umbel
Hibiscus acetosella: Flower Bloom Time
Winter
Spring
Summer
Fall
Hibiscus acetosella: Flower Size
1-3 inches
3-6 inches
< 1 inch
> 6 inches
Hibiscus acetosella Leaves
Hibiscus acetosella: Leaf Description
Leaves are usually maroon (brownish-red), dark purple, or crimson but some can have tints of green. This plant has palmate, (unequally) dissected, and lobed or unlobed leaves. While the leaves are interesting in themselves because of the color that they add to the landscape, if you really want to make them stand out, you could add lighter colored plants behind it to make this plant stand out; or grow it in a place where behind sunlight can make this plant really stand out in contrast to its dark leaves.
Hibiscus acetosella: Leaf Color
Green
Purple/Lavender
Red/Burgundy
Variegated
Hibiscus acetosella: Leaf Type
Compound (Pinnately , Bipinnately, Palmately)
Fronds
Needles
Sheath
Simple
Hibiscus acetosella: Hairs Present
No
Yes
Hibiscus acetosella: Leaf Value To Gardener
Edible
Fragrant
Good Cut
Good Dried
Long-lasting
Showy
Hibiscus acetosella Whole Plant Traits
Hibiscus acetosella: Plant Type
Annual
Bulb
Carnivorous
Edible
Epiphyte
Fern
Ground Cover
Herb
Herbaceous Perennial
Houseplant
Mushroom
Native Plant
Ornamental Grasses and Sedges
Perennial
Poisonous
Rose
Shrub
Succulent
Tree
Turfgrass
Vegetable
Vine
Water Plant
Weed
Wildflower
Hibiscus acetosella: Growth Rate
Slow
Medium
Rapid
Hibiscus acetosella Cultural Conditions
Hibiscus acetosella: Light
Dappled Sunlight (Shade through upper canopy all day)
Deep shade (Less than 2 hours to no direct sunlight)
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Hibiscus acetosella: Soil Drainage
Frequent Standing Water
Good Drainage
Moist
Occasional Flooding
Occasionally Dry
Occasionally Wet
Very Dry
Hibiscus acetosella: Available Space To Plant
12 inches-3 feet
12-24 feet
24-60 feet
3 feet-6 feet
6-feet-12 feet
Less than 12 inches
more than 60 feet
Hibiscus acetosella: NC Region
Coastal
Mountains
Piedmont
Hibiscus acetosella: USDA Plant Hardiness Zone
8a
8b
9a
9b
Hibiscus acetosella Stem
Hibiscus acetosella: Stem Is Aromatic
No
Yes
Hibiscus acetosella Landscape
Hibiscus acetosella: Landscape Theme
Asian Garden
Butterfly Garden
Children's Garden
Cottage Garden
Cutting Garden
Drought Tolerant Garden
Edible Garden
English Garden
Fairy Garden
Garden for the Blind
Native Garden
Nighttime Garden
Pollinator Garden
Rain Garden
Rock Garden
Shade Garden
Water Garden
Winter Garden
Hibiscus acetosella: Design Feature
Accent
Barrier
Border
Flowering Tree
Foundation Planting
Hedge
Mass Planting
Screen/Privacy
Security
Shade Tree
Small groups
Small Tree
Specimen
Street Tree
Understory Tree
Hibiscus acetosella: Landscape Location
Coastal
Container
Hanging Baskets
Houseplants
Lawn
Meadow
Naturalized Area
Near Septic
Patio
Pond
Pool/Hardscape
Recreational Play Area
Riparian
Rock Wall
Slope/Bank
Small Space
Vertical Spaces
Walkways
Woodland
Hibiscus acetosella: Attracts
Bats
Bees
Butterflies
Frogs
Hummingbirds
Moths
Pollinators
Predatory Insects
Reptiles
Small Mammals
Songbirds
Specialized Bees
