Mahogany Cranberry Hibiscus Live Plants, Set of 2, 5-8 Inch Tall, Outdoor

Overview

Bring a touch of exotic beauty and vibrant color to your outdoor space with this stunning Mahogany Cranberry Hibiscus live plant. This offer includes two starter plants, each measuring 5-8 inches tall, ready to establish themselves in your garden. Known scientifically as Hibiscus acetosella, and often referred to as ‘Mahogany Splendor’ or false roselle plant, this variety is celebrated for its deeply lobed, maple-like leaves that boast a rich, dark red to chocolatey-red hue, providing continuous visual interest even when not in bloom. Unlike many hibiscus varieties, the primary appeal of this plant lies in its dramatic foliage, making it a standout specimen in any landscape. It’s a fantastic choice for gardeners seeking a plant that offers consistent color and unique texture throughout the growing season.

The Mahogany Cranberry Hibiscus live plant is a vigorous grower, quickly reaching an impressive size that can serve as a focal point or a striking backdrop in garden beds. Its deep pigmentation intensifies with more sunlight, ensuring a brilliant display. While its flowers are delicate and last only a day, the plant blooms continually from mid- to late summer, adding charming accents to its already beautiful foliage. This hardy and relatively low-maintenance shrub is perfect for creating a lush, tropical feel in temperate gardens, offering both aesthetic appeal and a robust growth habit that can withstand various conditions, provided its basic needs are met.

Key Benefits

The Mahogany Cranberry Hibiscus live plant offers a multitude of benefits for the enthusiastic gardener, combining aesthetic appeal with ease of care, making it a popular choice for vibrant landscapes. Our starter plants are carefully selected to ensure vigorous growth and stunning results.

• Dramatic Foliage: Enjoy the year-round beauty of deep chocolatey-red leaves that provide continuous color and texture, making this red leaf hibiscus bush a focal point in any garden design. The rich hue adds a sophisticated touch, contrasting beautifully with green plants.
• Continuous Blooms: While individual flowers last only a day, the plant produces a steady succession of delicate, deep red blooms from mid to late summer, adding subtle charm and attracting pollinators. This ensures your garden always has something new to admire.
• Fast Growing & Vigorous: This hibiscus variety is known for its rapid growth, quickly establishing itself and reaching a significant size to create an impactful presence in your landscape. You’ll see noticeable growth in a single season.
• Low Maintenance: Once established, the Hibiscus acetosella care requirements are relatively straightforward, primarily needing consistent watering and adequate sunlight to thrive, making it suitable for busy gardeners. Its resilience contributes to its popularity.
• Versatile Landscaping: Perfect for use as a specimen plant, in mixed borders, or even as an informal hedge, its striking appearance enhances various garden styles, from tropical to contemporary. It can also be grown in large containers.
• Attracts Pollinators: The continuous flowering, even if short-lived, provides a nectar source that can attract bees and other beneficial pollinators to your garden, contributing to a healthy ecosystem.
• Edible Leaves & Calyces: Beyond its ornamental value, the leaves and calyces of the false roselle plant are edible and can be used in teas, salads, or as a vibrant garnish, offering a unique culinary dimension.

Plant Care & Growing Tips

Proper Hibiscus acetosella care is essential for ensuring your Mahogany Cranberry Hibiscus live plant thrives and displays its full vibrant potential. These plants flourish in conditions that mimic their native tropical environment, enjoying warmth and consistent moisture. For optimal growth and the deepest leaf coloration, plant your hibiscus in a location that receives full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. While it can tolerate partial shade, the intense red of its foliage will be most pronounced under strong sun exposure. Ensure the planting site has well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Amending heavy clay soils with organic matter can improve drainage, while sandy soils will benefit from compost to enhance water retention and nutrient availability.

Watering is a critical aspect of growing cranberry hibiscus. This plant prefers consistently moist soil and does not tolerate drought well, especially during hot summer months. Water deeply and regularly, allowing the top inch or two of soil to dry slightly between waterings, but never letting the soil become completely parched. During periods of high heat or in containers, daily watering may be necessary. Fertilize your red leaf hibiscus bush in the spring with a balanced, slow-release granular fertilizer or a liquid feed every 2-4 weeks during the growing season to support its vigorous growth and continuous blooming. Pruning can be done in early spring to maintain shape, control size, and encourage bushier growth. Watch out for common pests like aphids or spider mites, which can be managed with insecticidal soap if necessary.

The Mahogany Cranberry Hibiscus live plant thrives in warm summer temperatures, ideally between 60°F and 85°F, with average to high humidity. It is typically grown as an annual in colder climates (USDA zones 8 and below) or can be brought indoors during winter as a houseplant. In warmer, frost-free regions (USDA zones 9-11), it can be grown as a perennial shrub. Protecting it from cold drafts and sudden temperature drops is important for its survival. Regular monitoring for signs of stress, such as wilting or discolored leaves, will help you address any issues promptly and keep your plant healthy and beautiful.

Size & Details

This offering includes two robust Mahogany Cranberry Hibiscus live plant starter plants. Each plant typically measures between 5-8 inches in height upon arrival, providing a substantial foundation for rapid growth. These are young, actively growing specimens, shipped without pots to minimize shipping stress and prepare them for immediate planting in your garden. Once established, the growing cranberry hibiscus can reach an impressive mature size of up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide within a single growing season, especially in ideal conditions. Its sturdy branches and vigorous growth habit contribute to its shrub-like form, creating a significant presence in the landscape. Expect continuous blooming of delicate red flowers from mid- to late summer.

The plants are ready to be transplanted into your chosen garden spot or a larger container upon receipt. Their quick growth rate means you won’t have to wait long to enjoy their full beauty. The deep chocolatey-red leaves will begin to intensify in color as the plants mature and receive ample sunlight. This false roselle plant is an excellent choice for adding vertical interest and dramatic color to borders, as a standalone specimen, or within a mixed perennial bed. Its adaptability makes it a rewarding addition for both novice and experienced gardeners looking for a vibrant and fast-growing shrub.

Frequently Asked Questions

• Q: How big does this plant get? A: The Mahogany Cranberry Hibiscus live plant is a fast grower and can reach a mature height of up to 6 feet tall and 3 feet wide in a single growing season under optimal conditions. Its size makes it a striking garden feature.
• Q: Is this an indoor or outdoor plant? A: This is primarily an outdoor plant, thriving in full sun. In colder climates (below USDA Zone 9), it is often grown as an annual or overwintered indoors as a houseplant due to its sensitivity to frost.
• Q: How much sunlight does it need? A: For the best growth and most vibrant red foliage, the red leaf hibiscus bush requires full sun, meaning at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day. More sun generally leads to deeper leaf coloration.
• Q: Is this plant easy to care for? A: Yes, the growing cranberry hibiscus is considered relatively low-maintenance. Its main requirements are consistent watering and plenty of sunlight. It’s a great choice for gardeners looking for impactful but manageable plants.
• Q: What condition will it arrive in? A: You will receive two healthy starter plants, each 5-8 inches tall. They are typically shipped without a pot to ensure safe transit and are ready for planting upon arrival.
• Q: How long until it blooms? A: The Mahogany Cranberry Hibiscus live plant typically begins blooming from mid- to late summer, and will continue to produce flowers until the weather cools, providing a continuous display of delicate red blooms.
• Q: Will it survive winter in my zone? A: This plant is perennial in USDA Zones 9-11. In colder zones, it is typically grown as an annual or needs to be brought indoors to protect it from frost and freezing temperatures.
• Q: What type of soil is best for this hibiscus? A: This plant thrives in well-drained, nutrient-rich soil. Amending with organic matter can improve both drainage and fertility, ensuring the ideal environment for the Hibiscus acetosella care.
• Q: Can I use the leaves of the false roselle plant? A: Yes, the leaves and calyces of the false roselle plant are edible and can be used in salads, teas, or as a garnish, adding a tangy flavor and vibrant color to culinary creations.
• Q: How often should I water my cranberry hibiscus? A: Water deeply and regularly, especially during warm weather, ensuring the soil remains consistently moist but not waterlogged. Allow the top inch or two of soil to dry slightly between waterings.