Hibiscus tiliaceus 'Variegata' (Variegated Sea Hibiscus, Variegated Beach or Coast Hibiscus, Variegated Cottonwood)


Botanical Information

FamilyMalvaceae
GenusHibiscus
Speciestiliaceus
Cultivar'Variegata'
CategoryTropicals
TypeShrub (deciduous)

Description and Growing Information

PropagationBeach hibiscus is easily propagated both from seed and stem or branch cuttings.
CultivationSea Hibiscus is well adapted to grow in coastal environment in that it tolerates salt and waterlogging and can grow in quartz sand, coral sand, marl, limestone, and crushed basalt. It grows best in slightly acidic to alkaline soils (pH of 5-8.5).
PestsThe tree has few problems with pests or diseases. Occasional infestations of pink hibiscus mealybug (Maconelli­ coccus hirsutus) and Chinese rose beetle (Adoretus sinicus) have been reported in landscape situations.
HabitatEastern and Northern Australia, Oceania and Southeast Asia
Bark/Stem DescriptionThe bark is gray to light brown, smooth to slightly longitudinally fissured with horizontal cracks, becoming thick and rough with age.
Leaf DescriptionThe leaves are simple, heart shaped, 8–20 cm long by 6–15 cm across, often wavy, discolorous, bright green on the upper surface, and grayish-green and hairy below. In some Pacific islands there is a variant with bronze–reddish-green shoots.
Flower DescriptionThe flowers of H. tiliaceus are bright yellow with a deep red centre upon opening. Over the course of the day, the flowers deepen to orange and finally red before they fall.
Fruit DescriptionThe fruits are a light brown, ovoid, dry capsule, about 2 cm long, splitting into 5 segments and 10 cells of seeds at maturity. Fruiting may occur throughout the year. Vegetatively propagated plants may flower in less than a year.

Photographs