Hibiscus Cranberry Rose pack of 10 seeds Open Pollinated

Hibiscus Cranberry Rose Growth Habit of Plant

Hibiscus Cranberry Rose One of the reasons the cranberry hibiscus is so easy to grow is because it is a short lived perennial bush. Once you plant it will grow very fast and produce for a few years. The bush likes to grow up instead of out. If left unpruned it will grow long stems that can reach about 9 feet in height. They will eventually fall over and make a bit of a mess in your garden. You can prevent this by snipping off the long stems when the plant is still young. Most of the leaves have a dark purple color, deep lobes, and jagged edges. I have also seen a few leaves that do not have lobes or are green. 

Hibiscus Cranberry Rose Description

Cranberry Hibiscus, as well as its sister species, Roselle (H. sabdariffa), and Kenaf (H. cannabinus) are of African origin. It is believed to be a hybrid of African wild hibiscus species. Cranberry Hibiscus is now known only as a cultivated plant. This species tends to escape from gardens and it may be found growing wild along roadsides and in waste places in the vicinity of plantings.

Hibiscus Cranberry Rose Uses

The color and pleasing, tangy taste of the leaves make them a great addition to salads or stir-fries. The somewhat fleshy leaves and young shoots may be cooked as a vegetable and eaten with rice. The stem yields a good quality fiber but of low quantity. Kenaf is a better choice for commercial fiber production. The colorful red stems and foliage plus the pink flowers of the pink-flowered variety make this species a desirable choice for ornamental plantings in tropical and subtropical environments. It may be used in temperate gardens as a summer annual, but it is highly susceptible to frost.

Hibiscus Cranberry Rose Cultivation

• Elevation: low to medium elevations
• Rainfall: needs at least 500 mm (20 in) during growth
• Temperature: frost sensitive
• Soil: deep, loose, well-drained soils
• Light: Will grow in full sun, but prefers some shade.