Red Hibiscus – Desert Horizon Nursery

Red Hibiscus

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Categories:
Shrubs  ·  
Flowering Shrubs
Light
Full sun (afternoon shade in low desert)
Water
Moderate to high water needs in Phoenix. Water deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil begin to dry; check frequently during extreme heat. Reduce watering in winter and avoid soggy soil.
Size
6-10 ft tall × 5-8 ft wide
Habit
Rounded shrub
Toxicity
Non-toxic
Description
A tropical shrub with glossy green foliage and large, showy red flowers; best grown in a sheltered, irrigated location in Phoenix.
Bloom Time
Spring through fall
Deciduous / Evergreen
Semi-evergreen
Special Features
Attracts Bees / Pollinators, Attracts Hummingbirds, Cold Hardy, Drought Tolerant, Showy Flowers
Growth Rate
Moderate to fast
Growth Habit
Rounded shrub
Mature Size
6-10 ft tall × 5-8 ft wide
Flower Color
Red
Foliage Color
Dark green
Landscape Use
Border / Bed, Container / Patio, Hedge / Screen, Tropical Garden
Garden Style
Hedge / Formal, Pollinator / Wildlife, Tropical
Soil
Amended / Rich, Prefers Acidic, Well-Drained
Companion Plants
Asparagus fern, Canna lilies, Dwarf agapanthus, Society garlic
Non-toxic
Non-toxic
Care Instructions

Light: Morning sun with afternoon shade; protect from intense western sun and reflected heat.

Water: Moderate to high water needs in Phoenix. Water deeply when the top 1–2 inches of soil begin to dry; check frequently during extreme heat. Reduce watering in winter and avoid soggy soil.

Soil: Fertile, organically enriched, well-drained soil; slightly acidic soil is preferred. Phoenix’s alkaline soil may require micronutrient management.

Mature size: Typically 6–10 feet tall and 4–8 feet wide, depending on cultivar; often smaller in containers or where frost limits growth.

Bloom: Repeated blooms from spring through fall, sometimes into winter in frost-free locations; extreme heat or cold can reduce flowering.

Evergreen / deciduous: Evergreen in frost-free conditions; may drop leaves or suffer stem dieback during cold weather.

Growth rate: Moderate to fast with warmth, adequate water, and nutrition.