Red Rose of Sharon
Hibiscus syriacus
Rose of Sharon is a hardy hibiscus shrub with red flowers from early summer into fall. It's easy to grow in most soils, but it reseeds and can spread if you don't remove the seed pods.
At a Glance
| Plant type | Deciduous flowering shrub |
|---|---|
| Family | Mallow family (Malvaceae) |
| Other names | Red hibiscus, shrub althea, rose of China. It isn't the tropical hibiscus sold as a houseplant. |
| Native range | South China and Taiwan. Not native to North America. |
| Mature height | 8 to 12 feet |
| Mature spread | 6 to 10 feet |
| Growth rate | Fast |
| Flowers | Red flowers 2 to 4 inches across with five crepe-like petals. Each lasts one day. Blooms on new growth from early summer into fall. |
| Fruit or seed | A brown, five-part seed capsule about 3/4 inch long that ripens in fall and hangs on through winter. It reseeds if the capsules aren't removed. |
| Foliage | Coarsely toothed leaves 2 to 4 inches long. Fall color is a modest yellow. One of the last shrubs to leaf out in spring. |
| Toxicity | Non-toxic to dogs, cats, and horses. The flowers are edible. |
Growing Conditions
| USDA hardiness zones | 5 to 9 |
|---|---|
| Sun | Full sun to part shade |
| Soil | Moist, well-drained soil. Grows in most soils, including clay, but not extremely wet or dry ground. |
| Soil pH | Adaptable, including alkaline soil |
| Water | Medium. Tolerates occasional dry or wet spells. |
| Tolerates | Heat, clay, alkaline soil, road salt, black walnut, deer (moderately) |
| Does poorly with | Extremely wet or dry soil |
Will It Grow Here?
Yes, anywhere in our area. Red Rose of Sharon is hardy in zones 5 to 9, which covers every zone in our area (6b through 8a).
| Zone | Grows here? | Towns in this zone |
|---|---|---|
| 6b (our farm) | Yes | Lebanon, MO; Bolivar, MO; Iola, KS; Garnett, KS |
| 7a | Yes | Springfield, MO; Joplin, MO; Fayetteville, AR; Bentonville, AR |
| 7b | Yes | Harrison, AR; Tulsa, OK; Broken Arrow, OK; Tahlequah, OK |
| 8a | Yes | Van Buren, AR; Alma, AR |
Not sure which zone you're in? Look up your ZIP code on the USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map (opens in a new tab).
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Missouri zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
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Arkansas zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
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Oklahoma zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
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Kansas zone map (full size, opens in a new tab)
Official 2023 USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Maps. Tap a map to open it full size.
Maps: USDA Agricultural Research Service, with mapping by the PRISM Climate Group, Oregon State University.
Plant Patent
Our supplier sells this as a red-flowered rose of Sharon and doesn't list a named variety or patent. Check the plant tag before propagating.
About the Red Rose of Sharon
Rose of Sharon is a hibiscus from eastern Asia, grown as a hardy shrub. It flowers from early summer into fall. Each flower lasts only a day, but new ones keep opening all season.
It’s easy to grow and tolerates heat, clay, and road salt. It also reseeds, and it has been reported as invasive in some states, including Virginia and Kentucky. Removing the seed capsules after it blooms keeps it from spreading.
Choosing a Spot
- Sun. Full sun to part shade.
- Most soils. It grows in moist, well-drained soil of almost any type, but not in extremely wet or dry ground.
- Room. It grows 8 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide.
- Watch for seedlings. Plant it where you can keep an eye on volunteer seedlings.
Planting
- Dig wide, not deep. Make the hole at least 1 1/2 to 2 times as wide as the root ball and only as deep. In poorly drained or compacted soil, make it 3 to 4 times as wide and not quite as deep.
- Set the top of the root ball even with the surrounding soil or slightly above. Planting even 3 inches too deep lets water collect around the roots.
- Slice circling roots. If roots circle the outside of the root ball, make three or four cuts an inch or two deep from top to bottom.
- Backfill with the soil you dug out. Amendments usually aren’t needed.
- Skip fertilizer at planting, and water right away.
Watering
New plants establish fastest with light, frequent watering. In summer a new shrub may need water several times a week. Overwatering kills as easily as drought, so feel the soil before you water. Once established, it tolerates occasional dry or wet spells.
Mulch and Fertilizer
Spread organic mulch no more than 3 inches deep after it settles, and keep it off the stems. Fertilize only if a soil test calls for it.
Pruning
Prune in spring. It blooms on new growth, so spring pruning brings more and larger flowers that summer; it can be pruned heavily. After it blooms, remove the seed capsules to keep it from reseeding.
Common Problems
- Reseeding: Seedlings come up around the plant if the capsules are left on.
- Late leaf-out: It’s one of the last shrubs to leaf out in spring. A bare plant in April isn’t necessarily dead.
- Diseases: Leaf spots, stem cankers, rust, and flower blights.
Good for Wildlife
Hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees visit the flowers, including the specialist bee Ptilothrix bombiformis.
Availability
Currently out of stock until Spring 2027.
Our nursery stock changes through the season. Contact us to check what we have on hand, current sizes, and pricing.
Sources
Growing information on this page was checked against these public references:
- Hibiscus syriacus (North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox) (opens in a new tab)
- Rose-of-Sharon (The Morton Arboretum) (opens in a new tab)
- Rose of Sharon (ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plants) (opens in a new tab)
- Planting a Tree or a Shrub, FSA-6128 (University of Arkansas Cooperative Extension) (opens in a new tab)
Disclaimer: The information on this page is based on publicly available knowledge and research. Individual results may vary.