Cranberry hibiscus is a tender perennial sub-shrub in the Malvaceae (mallow) family native to tropical eastern Africa. While flowers might be the first thought when you hear the name hibiscus, the deep purple red foliage is what makes this shrub stand out. Rapidly growing to a height of 3 to 5 feet and 2 1/2 feet wide, cranberry hibiscus requires full sun and will perform best in average to moist but not wet soil. Its growth habit is somewhat sparse and leggy, so plant densely or pinch back tips to encourage fuller growth. Hibiscus can be pruned, but keep in mind that flowers will appear on new growth. Cut it back to the ground before winter. While it may not survive year-round outdoors, it can be overwintered as a houseplant. It grows easily from seed or can be propagated from stem cuttings taken in the fall and rooted in water or soil. Plant in a cottage garden, mass plant in the back of a border, use as an annual specimen plant, in containers, or use as a seasonal hedge. Some pinching back may be necessary if grown in a container to maintain bushiness and size. Intersperse this plant with others that have lime green or silver leaves, or with ornamental grasses for some contrast and interest in the landscape. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No serious problems. VIDEO Created by Elizabeth Meyer for " Trees, Shrubs and Conifers " a plant identification course offered in partnership with Longwood Gardens.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
Soil drainage
Good Drainage | Moist
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
Mature size
Height: 3 ft. 0 in. - 5 ft. 0 in. | Width: 1 ft. 0 in. - 2 ft. 6 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Medium
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Habit / form
Erect
Leaf color
Green; Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy; Variegated
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf value
Showy
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
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 that resemble Japanese maple.
Usually maroon (brownish-red) or crimson about 2 inches across, solitary borne in the leaf axils and are somewhat hidden by the leaves making them somewhat inconspicuous. Blooming generally in late summer, fall, and sometimes in winter (short day plant), but sometimes plants die from frost before flowers appear.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer; Winter
Stem color
Purple/Lavender; Red/Burgundy
Stem detail
Deep red purple stems
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Non-native
Origin
Burundi to S. Tropical Africa
Wildlife value
Members of the genus Hibiscus support the following specialized bee: Ptilothrix bombiformis.
Attracts
Bees; Specialized Bees
Landscape Use
Landscape location
Container; Houseplants
Landscape theme
Cottage Garden; Pollinator Garden; Winter Garden
Design feature
Border; Hedge; Specimen
Garden tags
#specialized bees #cottage garden #nectar plant #maroon #full sun tolerant #specimen #showy leaves #border planting #red flowers #fast growing #summer flowers #bee friendly #container plant #interesting leaves #crimson leaves #flowers late fall #flowers mid-fall #border back #red leaves #tropical feel #flowers early fall #flowers late summer #fall interest #winter interest #purple leaves #flowers early winter #hedge #wildlife friendly #hortcontest #fpp