Tropical Rose Mallow
Hibiscus vitifolius
Also known as: Tropical Fanleaf
- Native to:
- Andaman Is., Angola, Australia, Bangladesh, Botswana, Cambodia, Cameroon, Chad, Christmas I., Comoros, Djibouti, DR Congo, Eritrea, Eswatini, Ethiopia, Gambia, Ghana, India, Ivory Coast, Jawa, Kenya, Laccadive Is., Lesser Sunda Is., Malawi, Mali, Mozambique, Myanmar, Namibia, Nepal, New Guinea, Niger, Nigeria, Oman, Pakistan, Rwanda, Saudi Arabia, Socotra, Somalia, South Africa, Sri Lanka, Sudan-South Sudan, Sulawesi, Tanzania, Thailand, Togo, Uganda, Vietnam, Yemen, Zambia, Zimbabwe
Dinesh Valke (www.flickr.com) from Thane, India
Taxonomy
- Division:
- Magnoliophyta | - Flowering plants
- Family:
- Malvaceae
- Genus:
- Hibiscus
- Species:
- Hibiscus vitifolius
- USDA Symbol:
- HIVI
Growth Characteristics
- Life Cycle:
- Perennial
- Growth Habit:
- Shrub
- Height:
- 200 cm
- Light Requirements:
- Full Sun
- Drought Tolerance:
- Medium
- Bloom Months:
- jun,jul,aug,sep,oct
- Bloom Colors:
- yellow
- Landscaping Shrub:
- Yes
Wildlife Benefits
- Bees:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented bee visitation (GBIF)
- Butterflies & Moths:
- ★☆☆☆☆ Documented Lepidoptera association (GBIF)
Keystone Species Ranking
- Caterpillar Keystone:
- ★★★☆☆ Butterfly & moth species supported by this genus (NWF)
Garden & Ecology Notes
- Wildlife Value:
- bees, butterflies
Soil Requirements
- Soil Type:
- sandy, well-drained, nutrient-rich soil
- pH:
- 5.5 - 7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral)
- Drainage:
- excellent drainage required
- Moisture:
- consistently moist
- Notes:
- Prefers open, sunny locations in its native range.
Propagation & Germination
- Stratification:
- None required
- Scarification:
- Seed coat scarification required before sowing
- Germination Time:
- 14–30 days
- Notes:
- Scarification of hard seed coat improves germination. Warm temperatures (25-30°C) recommended.