Hibiscus Species, Confederate Rose, Cotton Rose

Hibiscus mutabilis

Family
Malvaceae (mal-VAY-see-ee)
Genus
Hibiscus (hi-BIS-kus)
Species
mutabilis (mew-TAB-ill-iss)
Synonym
Abelmoschus mutabilis
Hibiscus immutabilis
Hibiscus immutabilis
Hibiscus javanicus
Hibiscus sinensis
Height
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Spacing
4-6 ft. (1.2-1.8 m)
Hardiness
USDA Zone 7a: to -17.7 °C (0 °F)
USDA Zone 7b: to -14.9 °C (5 °F)
USDA Zone 8a: to -12.2 °C (10 °F)
USDA Zone 8b: to -9.4 °C (15 °F)
USDA Zone 9a: to -6.6 °C (20 °F)
USDA Zone 9b: to -3.8 °C (25 °F)
USDA Zone 10a: to -1.1 °C (30 °F)
USDA Zone 10b: to 1.7 °C (35 °F)
USDA Zone 11: above 4.5 °C (40 °F)
Sun Exposure
Full Sun
Bloom Color
Pink
Red
White/Near White
Bloom Time
Late Summer/Early Fall
Foliage
Deciduous
Succulent
Other Details
Other details
Propagation Methods
From semi-hardwood cuttings
From seed; direct sow after last frost
Seed Collecting
Allow seedheads to dry on plants; remove and collect seeds
Properly cleaned, seed can be successfully stored
Soil pH requirements
5.6 to 6.0 (acidic)
6.1 to 6.5 (mildly acidic)
6.6 to 7.5 (neutral)
Patent Information
Non-patented
Foliage Color
Bloom Characteristics
Water Requirements
Average Water Needs; Water regularly; do not overwater
Where to Grow
Regional

This plant is said to grow outdoors in the following regions:

Anniston, Alabama(2 reports)

Bessemer, Alabama

Cottondale, Alabama

Daphne, Alabama

Dothan, Alabama

Double Springs, Alabama

Dutton, Alabama

Foley, Alabama

Gadsden, Alabama

Gaylesville, Alabama

Hamilton, Alabama

Holly Pond, Alabama

Huntsville, Alabama

Jones, Alabama

Lincoln, Alabama

Mobile, Alabama

Notasulga, Alabama

Pelham, Alabama

Tuskegee, Alabama

Union Grove, Alabama

Wetumpka, Alabama

Chandler Heights, Arizona

Paris, Arkansas

Arroyo Grande, California

Capistrano Beach, California

Fallbrook, California(5 reports)

Laguna Beach, California

Moreno Valley, California

Orland, California

Rancho Calaveras, California

Roseville, California

San Clemente, California

San Leandro, California

Stockton, California

Tulare, California

Valley Springs, California

Alachua, Florida

Apopka, Florida

Bartow, Florida

Boca Raton, Florida

Citra, Florida

Crawfordville, Florida

Deltona, Florida

Dunnellon, Florida

Floral City, Florida

Fort Pierce, Florida

Glen Saint Mary, Florida

Hampton, Florida

Hollywood, Florida

Inverness, Florida

Jacksonville, Florida(2 reports)

Keystone Heights, Florida

Lake City, Florida

Lynn Haven, Florida

Marianna, Florida

Miami, Florida

North Port, Florida

Old Town, Florida

Panama City Beach, Florida(2 reports)

Pompano Beach, Florida

Port Saint Lucie, Florida

Sanford, Florida

Sarasota, Florida(2 reports)

Vero Beach, Florida

Welaka, Florida

Wellborn, Florida

Winter Haven, Florida

Zephyrhills, Florida(2 reports)

Atlanta, Georgia

Augusta, Georgia

Blackshear, Georgia

Blakely, Georgia

Brunswick, Georgia(2 reports)

Cedartown, Georgia

Colbert, Georgia

Cordele, Georgia

Eatonton, Georgia

Ellabell, Georgia

Forsyth, Georgia

Hortense, Georgia

Loganville, Georgia

Marietta, Georgia

Milledgeville, Georgia

Patterson, Georgia

Snellville, Georgia

Suwanee, Georgia

Waverly, Georgia

Waverly Hall, Georgia

White, Georgia

Barbourville, Kentucky

Smiths Grove, Kentucky

Baton Rouge, Louisiana(2 reports)

Belle Chasse, Louisiana

Echo, Louisiana

Gonzales, Louisiana

Homer, Louisiana

Independence, Louisiana

Jeanerette, Louisiana

Lafayette, Louisiana

Mandeville, Louisiana(2 reports)

New Orleans, Louisiana(2 reports)

Slidell, Louisiana

Zachary, Louisiana

Bangor, Maine

Preston, Maryland

Leakesville, Mississippi

Lucedale, Mississippi

Lumberton, Mississippi

Mathiston, Mississippi

Natchez, Mississippi

Philadelphia, Mississippi

Saucier, Mississippi

Toomsuba, Mississippi

Tupelo, Mississippi

Tylertown, Mississippi

Vossburg, Mississippi

Waynesboro, Mississippi

Long Branch, New Jersey

Villas, New Jersey

Fayetteville, North Carolina

Kure Beach, North Carolina

New Bern, North Carolina

Oxford, North Carolina

Raleigh, North Carolina

Rocky Mount, North Carolina

Rowland, North Carolina

San Antonio, Puerto Rico

Bluffton, South Carolina(2 reports)

Bonneau, South Carolina

Charleston, South Carolina

Columbia, South Carolina

Conway, South Carolina

Edisto Island, South Carolina

Florence, South Carolina(2 reports)

Fountain Inn, South Carolina

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

Lexington, South Carolina

Myrtle Beach, South Carolina

North Charleston, South Carolina

Sumter, South Carolina

Swansea, South Carolina

Knoxville, Tennessee

Summertown, Tennessee

Waverly, Tennessee

Alvarado, Texas

Angleton, Texas

Austin, Texas(2 reports)

Baytown, Texas

Belton, Texas

Brenham, Texas

Center, Texas

Corsicana, Texas

Deer Park, Texas

Fort Worth, Texas(2 reports)

Galveston, Texas

Greenville, Texas

Hallettsville, Texas

Houston, Texas(3 reports)

Jacksonville, Texas

Katy, Texas

Kerrville, Texas

Kurten, Texas

Lufkin, Texas

Navasota, Texas

New Caney, Texas(2 reports)

Plano, Texas

Port Neches, Texas

Rockport, Texas

San Antonio, Texas(2 reports)

Santa Fe, Texas

Spring, Texas

Sugar Land, Texas(2 reports)

Tomball, Texas

Trenton, Texas

Troup, Texas

Tyler, Texas

West Columbia, Texas

Disputanta, Virginia

South Boston, Virginia

Virginia Beach, Virginia(2 reports)

South Milwaukee, Wisconsin

show all

Featured Videos

Gardener's Notes:

39
positives
7
neutrals
4
negatives
Sort By:
Sort By:
A
Colbert, GA | August 2014 | positive

I took a cutting of a Confederate Rose last fall from a house my husband was remodeling. It looked like it was surely dead but I kept wat...Read More

2
2
Greenville, TX | April 2014 | positive

Sudie Goodman grew Confederate Rose in Deed East, TX by Sam Rayburn Lake. However had to sell that Lake Cabin.
Now, I am in Greenv...Read More

N
Plano, TX | February 2014 | positive

Received two plants from Mississippi master gardener in 2009. One flowers white, the other flowers deep red/wine red. Huge, plate-sized...Read More

A
Daleville, AL | November 2013 | positive

I have 3 varities - double, single, and Alma's Star. I have met Alma from Brantley, Alabama who first grew this sport. I have not had a...Read More

L
Navasota, TX | October 2012 | positive

I love my Confederate Rose, its my fav plant. I planted it a few years ago after buying it from a nursery and the first year I had a tree...Read More

D
Glencoe, AL (Zone 8a) | September 2012 | positive

I got a cutting off my neighbor's last year, I planted it around August and it died a horrible death by October.. I was surprised to see ...Read More

R
Dahlonega, GA (Zone 7b) | May 2012 | neutral

I see a number of posts that recommend using Bayer Advanced to treat aphids on this plant.

Bayer Advanced contains the pes...Read More

D
Soperton, GA | November 2011 | negative

we moved into a home in milledgeville ga. on lake sinclair.ther was an established cotton rose growing on the property. the plant since h...Read More

D
North Port, FL | October 2011 | positive

What a beatiful bloomer. Takes little care except for Bayer Tree & Rose. No problems with white flies or aphids.

M
Jacksonville, FL | September 2011 | neutral

I'm sold! But before I search for this plant, devote a large piece of my small garden and begin battling white flies, i'd like to know. ...Read More

E
Baton Rouge, LA (Zone 9b) | May 2011 | positive

Several years ago I bought a small Confederate Rose (about 2 ft. tall) in poor condition from a local nursery. Brought it home and plant...Read More

F
St. Petersburg, FL (Zone 9b) | March 2011 | positive

I'm just now growing this plant from seed. However, I've seen a number of other larger plants of this species (that's where I got the see...Read More

K
K
Augusta, GA (Zone 8a) | October 2010 | positive

My rose is beutiful, but the lady that gave me her cutting did not tell me it will be such a large bush. It is up about 9 feet tall, I wi...Read More

F
Crawfordville, FL (Zone 8b) | September 2010 | positive

It is evident to me that this plant THRIVES..BIG TIME..in Crawfordville, FL (crook of the FL Panhandle). I grew up a yankee..with a sout...Read More

S
Wetumpka, AL | April 2010 | neutral

I planted this last year and it gave me no troubles at all. However, my confederate rose (Alma's Star) is not showing any signs of growth...Read More

A
White, GA | November 2009 | positive

The rose was planted in July of this year. From a 3 ft. plant stem. As of now it has produced good green leaves and has the most beautifu...Read More

B
Lufkin, TX (Zone 8b) | October 2009 | positive

White flies, white flies and more white flies. I have spoken to several people in my county that grow confederate rose and they too have ...Read More

C
Charleston, SC | October 2009 | positive

As an organic gardener in James Island, SC, I LOVE this plant. I transplanted a 30 year old shrub 4 years ago so I could build a house, ...Read More

D
Winter Haven, FL (Zone 9b) | June 2009 | positive

This plant is truly a hardy one here in Zone 9. I moved into a house that had one neglected on the side and it is probably close to 10 FT...Read More

T
Brenham, TX | December 2008 | positive

Lovely autumn blooms here in Brenham TX (Zone 8B). Every winter I prune to knee height, and every summer it grows to about 15-20'. It on...Read More

J
(Jan) So Milw, WI (Zone 5b) | May 2008 | neutral

I am in zone 5b and I'm aware that this is NOT HARDY in my zone but I don't let something like that stop me from growing it :)
...Read More

S
Houston Heights, TX (Zone 9a) | April 2008 | positive

My plant is 20 feet tall, has 4-5 in. double pink blooms from Sept thru November.Mine gets afternoon sun only and is growing alongside ye...Read More

S
Broaddus, TX (Zone 8b) | March 2008 | positive

Zone 8b, deep East, Broaddus, TX
Folks, an aquaintence today, 3-26-2008, gave me 3 soft-wood cuttings as well as 1 hardwood cuttin...Read More

M
M
Slidell, LA (Zone 8b) | January 2008 | positive

I moved from a home in a tight subdivision to a home on an acre and half in Louisiana eight months ago and am still finding lots of nati...Read More

T
Valley Springs, CA (Zone 9a) | August 2007 | positive

I LOVE this tree! It's grown very quickly, about 15' tall, and wide in 3 years! Has a huge trunk, and is currently blooming. The flowe...Read More

E
Eatonton, GA (Zone 8b) | October 2006 | positive

My first canes for the Confederate Rose were only 6 to 8 inches long! My father gave them to me from cutting back his own after the firs...Read More

J
Red Bluff, CA (Zone 9a) | September 2006 | positive

I grew the 'Rubrus' variety. Lots of magenta flowers all summer until frost. The plant was planted on the east side of my house and sha...Read More

C
C
Houston, TX (Zone 9a) | September 2006 | negative

I have this plant in my yard - the white flies flock to it. I have have very few blossoms this year. Wonder if it's because I cut it wa...Read More

J
Virginia Beach, VA | August 2006 | positive

I purchased a Confederate Rose plant in Orange Park, FL and planted in a mostly sunny (7 - 8 hours daily) location at my home in Virginia...Read More

L
Slidell, LA | April 2006 | positive

I bought two of the white/pink/rose Confederate Rose plants about 4 years ago. I had seen the shrubs in bloom and had to have some. Sin...Read More

G
G
Mesilla Park, NM | March 2006 | positive

This plant was sent to me as a rooted cutting and in four years, it has bloomed and thrived. The only problem i have with it is that as ...Read More

A
Dutton, AL (Zone 7a) | November 2005 | positive

I purchased and planted this in late July at about 1 foot high, planted in full sun and in just under 3 months it was over 5 ft tall and ...Read More

T
T
Santa Fe, TX (Zone 9b) | November 2005 | positive

We love our Confederate Roses. We have several, all blooming still in late November. They easily reach 20 feet high and wide. Rita bro...Read More

J
San Antonio, TX | June 2005 | positive

I have had great success with this plant in San Antonio, Tx. I planted it at 2' and now stands about 15'. It does not die down for the ...Read More

C
C
(Zone 9b) | October 2004 | positive

I love this plant. When it was about 4-5 feet tall the leaves were attacked by some insect. I never was able to see it. I sprayed with Ac...Read More

P
Zachary, LA | October 2004 | positive

Insects do chomp it up, but I just let' em! It still grows bigger and blooms more each year. Gets raves from many folks who have never se...Read More

B
B
Fayetteville, NC | October 2004 | positive

The Confederate Rose grows in my area. I believe I am in zone 7 or 8. I think it's 8. I am in Fayetteville, NC. Anyway, just today, 10-20...Read More

B
Prosperity, SC (Zone 7b) | October 2004 | positive

I have seen these plants around in z7 gardens my whole life. I never had one of my own but I now tend my grandmother's which is just hug...Read More

K
K
Inverness, FL (Zone 9a) | September 2004 | positive

I live in Citrus county, Florida, zone 9a. I have 1 bush in my front yard which is about 10 feet high and 6 feet wide. I planted it las...Read More

R
Punta Gorda, FL | June 2004 | neutral

This is a beautiful plant and when ours is heathly it flowers for weeks on end and they are incredible. My problem with this plant is it...Read More

P
Beaumont, TX | May 2004 | positive

Grows in Beaumont, Texas - based on limited sightings, it is a wonderful addition to any yard. Cuttings respond to water bucket starting ...Read More

H
| April 2004 | negative

I love the flowers on this plant. However I am having problems getting it to thrive and flower. I live in Key Largo, FL, and bugs seem t...Read More

N
Lafayette, LA (Zone 9a) | April 2004 | neutral

I'm tempted to give this plant a negative rating, simply because it is soooooo very invasive. One small cutting (they told me it would gr...Read More

M
M
Paris, AR (Zone 7b) | April 2004 | positive

A friend from Louisiana brought me a cutting of this confederate rose, and I planted it. It bloomed for me in the late summer, white turn...Read More

M
| November 2003 | positive

When I got it three years ago, it looked like a small, dead, sawed-off tree in a pot. It sat inside, almost forgotten, for months, but t...Read More

D
Natchez, MS | September 2003 | positive

This is an important back-of-the-border plant in my zone 8 garden. It usually has a little insect damage a the bottom, so I hide it behi...Read More

C
Auburn, NH | September 2003 | negative

Attempted to grow this Confederate Rose in my z5, southern NH garden based upon info posted on this site that it is hardy here - no such ...Read More

J
Northern Piedmont, NC (Zone 7b) | January 2003 | positive

Confederate Rose has proven to be winter hardy here in my USDA Zone 7 garden. For me, it blooms from mid summer through late fall. It is ...Read More

C
C
Tennille, GA (Zone 8b) | December 2002 | positive

I have enjoyed having this shrub in my garden for the past several years. It grows to about 5 feet and the flowers change color during th...Read More

H
| March 2002 | neutral

Has large (6-10"), maple-shaped leaves with velvety texture, medium to light green.

The single pink Hibiscus mutabilis<...Read More

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