Photo of Hibiscus coccineus flower by Brian's Botanicals

Photo by Brian's Botanicals

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Buy Hibiscus coccineus

Also Known As

  • Hibiscus coccineus 'Red'
  • Hibiscus coccineus 'Texas Star'
  • Great Red Hibiscus
  • Red Swamp Hibiscus
  • Scarlet Hibiscus
  • Scarlet Mallow
  • Scarlet Rose Mallow
  • Swamp Hibiscus
  • Texas Star
  • Texas Star Hibiscus

Plant type

shrub, perennial, aquatic

size

  • H: 6'-8'
  • W: 2'-4'

planting zones

  • 6a-11

4 inch pot | $26

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Hibiscus coccineus plant details

Hibiscus coccineus is a fast-growing broadleaf deciduous perennial aquatic shrub with green foliage. In fall and summer red flowers emerge followed by green fruit. Features glossy texture. Attracts bees, butterflies and hummingbirds making it an excellent addition to pollinator gardens. Grows well with sun and standing water - regular water. Adapts to various soil conditions. Does well in average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained soil. A good option if you're seeking something heat tolerant and humidity tolerant.

CHARACTERISTICS OF Hibiscus coccineus

Plant type: perennial aquatic shrub
Plant family: malvaceae
Foliage: deciduous green
Mature size: 2 FT - 4 FT - wide, 6 FT - 8 FT - tall
Flowers: red blooms in fall and summer
Uses: bog garden, border plant, easy-to-grow, floriferous, long-blooming, native plant, red stems, showy

GROWING CONDITIONS for Hibiscus coccineus

USDA Zones: 6a - 11
Sun exposure: sun
Watering frequency: standing water - regular
Resistant to: heat and humidity
Soil needs: average, clay, gritty, rich and well-drained

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Nursery contributed plant descriptions

Huge 6" deep-red flowers and handsome, deeply-lobed, glossy leaves adorn this large (4-6') native swamp dweller. warm S/M-W
This herbaceous perennial rockets out of the ground in spring and grows upright stems to 3-6’ tall in 2-3’ wide clumps with deeply palmate leaves. June to Sept deep red large flowers, 3-5” across, five petaled with prominent stamens, draws hummers and butterflies like magnets! This big girl enjoys constant moisture (will live in a bog or pondside) and full sun for best flowers! USDA Z6-9
Planted by George Washington and admired by Bartram in his catalog as “a most elegant flowering plant”, Texas Star has startlingly large luminous bright red flowers that bloom midsummer to fall. Excellent in large tubs, they can be overwintered dormant where not hardy.
A tuberous rooted, winter dormant perennial. Sturdy rod-like stems emerge in mid-spring to be sparsely clothed with large, deeply lobed, maple-like leaves and carry branches of giant, 18cm, widely open, 5 petalled, scarlet flowers.Can be grown in shallow water, 5cm deep, as an unusual and spectacular pond plant, or in any sunny position that stays constantly moist.Cut to the ground in winter or leave the corky stems and accompanying seed pods as a seasonal sculpture.An exotic looking, yet remarkably easy to grow plant, that those who like giant perennials, can never get enough of.

By: Zephs

Hibiscus coccineus Red is a species of Hibiscus that is very hardy and tropical looking. It can handle zone 6 and possibly colder winters. Plants grow to 6 to 9 feet tall and die back to the ground in winter. The leaves are green and resemble marijuana or a thin leaf Maple. The stems on the red form are pink to red in color which is a great contrast with the foliage. The flowers are large 6 inches to 12 inches across. The petals are a bit thinner than many of the hybrid Hibiscus which gives it a unique look.
TEXAS ROSE - SWAMP MALLOW - SCARLET HIBISCUS - A herbaceous perennial native to coastal swamps. Very deeply cut fine textured foliage with burgundy tones. Very large bright red 5 petaled 6-9" saucer like flowers in mid summer to fall. Nectar rich blooms attracts hummingbirds. Likes sun and moisture. Hardy in zone 6-10. May grow un to 6' during the season.
Giant 6" scarlet pinwheels are produced throughout summer and fall. A vigorous sun loving perennial which is native to the swampy soils of the SE US but is fairly drought tolerant once established in the garden.
The scarlet hibiscus is the largest & most beautiful of America's native plants. The five-petaled flowers are brilliant crimson red & 6"-8" across. Blooms all summer & fall. Lives in wet spots in nature but will take average moisture after being watered well the first year. Absolutely spectacular. Size varies w/ moisture. Can live in a pond in summer.

By: Lazy S'S Farm Nursery

Spectacular, brilliant, scarlet flowers 6” to 8” across, are borne most of Summer & Fall on an upright, large plant. Growing near riverbanks in the Southeastern U.S., this guy likes water and will even grow submerged in a water garden. Grows just fine in regular garden soil, too. The blooms last only one day, but new ones open daily. The elegant, palmate foliage resembles that of a Japanese Maple. One of the largest & most beautiful North American wildflowers, this big plant grows 4’ to 6’ tall and to 4’ wide. You can cut it back in Winter or leave it to enjoy the ornamental seed pods.

By: Annie's Annuals & Perennials

Scarlet red 6" flowers with green calyx showing at the base to create a star. 6' tall by 4' wide. Bud break is late in the spring.

Gardening facts about Hibiscus coccineus plant

How to Grow Hibiscus coccineus

  • Sun Exposure

    • sun
  • Water Needs

    • standing water - regular
  • Soil Needs

    • clay
    • adaptable
    • average
    • well-drained
    • rich
    • gritty
  • Special Situation

    • heat tolerant
    • humidity tolerant

Features

  • Foliage Color

    • green
  • Flower Color

    • red
  • Wildlife

    • bees
    • butterflies
    • hummingbirds
  • Fruit

    • green
  • Flower Season

    • summer
    • fall
  • Foliage Season

    • deciduous
  • Texture

    • glossy
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