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How to Grow and Care for Rose Mallow Plants

Hibiscus moscheutos

This plant grows best with full sun for most of the dayThis plant requires shade during the heat of the dayThis plant will tolerate some drought, but benefits from periodic wateringThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditionsThis plant needs a thorough, deep weekly watering, Double icons require boggy or wet conditionsHummingbird PlantWhite flowering plantRed flowering plantPink flowering plantA photograph is availableHow to Use the Plant Care Icons at The Garden Helper

Rose Mallow is a fast growing, deciduous, perennial shrub that forms three foot clumps and can grow four to eight feet tall in a single season.

They have large, slightly heart shaped, green leaves, with soft, hairy undersides. From mid summer until mid fall, they produce huge, 5"-12" flowers with deep red or burgundy centers and distinctive yellow stamens. The single flowers only last one day, but they are prolific bloomers.

Ernie the Garden Gnome

Growing Requirements for these Hardy Hibiscus

Rose Mallow are native to swamps, wetlands and along creek edges in the southeast United States. They are hardy in USDA zones 5-10, where they should be grown in a site with full sun for maximum blooming, but they will grow and flower in partial shade as well. Plant them in a sandy but moisture retaining, slightly acidic soil that has been enriched with compost or other organic material.

Water regularly and thoroughly during the first growing season to establish a deep, extensive root system. Rose Mallow plants should never be allowed to completely dry out, or they will immediately stop blooming. Adding a heavy mulch will help maintain constant soil moisture and help to keep the roots cool in the summer. Fertilize every 6-8 weeks with a soluble 10-10-10 plant food or use a slow release type peletted fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.

Hibiscus moscheutos plants resent any disturbance to their root system so be extremely careful, soak the soil thoroughly and dig wide before attempting to transplant your Hibiscus.

Rose Mallow can be cut back to the ground in the winter.

Propagating Rose Mallow Plants and Growing them from Seed

  • New Rose Mallow plants can be easily propagated with tip cuttings taken in early July. Mist cuttings regularly to increase humidity.
  • The hull of Hibiscus seeds need to be clipped or the seeds can be soaked in warm water until they sink, before sowing. Sow seeds directly in the garden where they will grow, in from spring up until two months before the first killing frost.
  • Start seeds indoors 8-10 weeks before moving to the garden.
  • Maintain a temperature in the growing medium of 70°-75° F.
  • until germination which takes 15-30 days.
Rose Mallow - Hibiscus moscheutos
A Pink Flowering Rose Mallow in Bloom, Hibiscus moscheutos
A Pink Flowering Rose Mallow in...
A Large White Hardy Hibiscus Flower
A Large White Hardy Hibiscus Flower


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