Tropic Jewel Hibiscus Abelmoschus manihot
Other Common Name(s):
Previously known as:
- Hibiscus manihot
- Phonetic Spelling
- a-bel-MOS-kus MAN-ee-hoat
- Description
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Sunset Huskmallow grows easily and quickly in well-drained, evenly moist, loamy soils in the full sun. It easily self-seeds in the garden. Prune it to the ground in winter to rejuvenate growth in the spring. Leaves are edible and make a great flowering addition to a vegetable garden or perennial border. They can also be grown in containers and deer are not particularly attracted to it. It is related to okra but has given up the edible pods for larger flowers.
This plant grows to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide. The large lemon-yellow flowers last only a day but the long bloom season makes up for it. The leaves are ornamental as well as being edible. In cooler climates, it can be grown as an annual.
Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: Aphids, slugs, and whiteflies can be problems.
- See this plant in the following landscapes:
- Backyard Respite Landscape Shade Border
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
- Cultivars / Varieties:
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- Tags:
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Attributes:
- Genus:
- Abelmoschus
- Species:
- manihot
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Uses (Ethnobotany):
- Seeds have been used to make perfume. Bark and sap are used in herbal medicine.
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Recommended Propagation Strategy:
- Seed
- Stem Cutting
- Country Or Region Of Origin:
- India to Central China and Malesia
- Wildlife Value:
- Flowers attract butterflies and other pollinators.
- Edibility:
- Young leaves are edible, raw or cooked, and are mucilaginous.
- Dimensions:
- Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in.
- Width: 2 ft. 0 in. - 3 ft. 0 in.
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Whole Plant Traits:
- Plant Type:
- Herbaceous Perennial
- Perennial
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Habit/Form:
- Mounding
- Growth Rate:
- Rapid
- Maintenance:
- Low
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Cultural Conditions:
- Light:
- Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day)
- Soil Texture:
- High Organic Matter
- Loam (Silt)
- Soil pH:
- Neutral (6.0-8.0)
- Soil Drainage:
- Good Drainage
- Moist
- Available Space To Plant:
- 12 inches-3 feet
- 3 feet-6 feet
- NC Region:
- Coastal
- Piedmont
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone:
- 8a, 8b, 9a, 9b, 10a, 10b
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Fruit:
- Fruit Color:
- Green
- Red/Burgundy
- Fruit Value To Gardener:
- Fragrant
- Display/Harvest Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Fruit Type:
- Capsule
- Fruit Description:
- Common name muskmallow refers to the fragrant seeds.
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Flowers:
- Flower Color:
- Gold/Yellow
- Red/Burgundy
- Flower Inflorescence:
- Head
- Flower Value To Gardener:
- Showy
- Flower Bloom Time:
- Fall
- Summer
- Flower Shape:
- Cup
- Flower Petals:
- 4-5 petals/rays
- Flower Size:
- 3-6 inches
- Flower Description:
- Pale yellow with a maroon center 4 to 5 inches in diameter. Five-petaled flowers last one day, but plant blooms midsummer into fall.
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Leaves:
- Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics:
- Deciduous
- Leaf Color:
- Green
- Leaf Value To Gardener:
- Edible
- Leaf Type:
- Simple
- Leaf Arrangement:
- Alternate
- Leaf Shape:
- Palmatifid
- Leaf Margin:
- Lobed
- Hairs Present:
- Yes
- Leaf Length:
- 3-6 inches
- Leaf Width:
- > 6 inches
- Leaf Description:
- Up to 11 inches in diameter, dissected with five to nine lobes. Leaves are slightly pubescent above and below.
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Stem:
- Stem Is Aromatic:
- No
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Landscape:
- Landscape Location:
- Container
- Landscape Theme:
- Butterfly Garden
- Edible Garden
- Pollinator Garden
- Design Feature:
- Border
- Attracts:
- Butterflies
- Pollinators
- Resistance To Challenges:
- Deer
