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Annual BiennialHerbaceous Perennial

Hibiscus cannabinus

Ambari hemp

Fast-growing, upright, almost unbranched annual or short-lived, woody-based perennial about 3.5m tall, with fine, spiny-stems bearing long-stalked dark green leaves, the upper leaves palmately lobed and those lower down on the stem unlobed. Funnel-shaped, pale yellow, occasionally purple-red flowers with crimson-red centres, produced singley or in racemes from summer to autumn

Other common names

bimli
bimlipatum jute
see moreDeccan hemp
hemp mallow
Indian brown hemp
kenaf

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Ultimate height

2.5–4 metres

Time to ultimate height

2–5 years

Ultimate spread

1–1.5 metres

Chalk

Loam

Sand

Moisture

Well–drained

pH

Acid, Neutral

	Stem	Flower	Foliage	Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Full sun

Aspect

South–facing or West–facing

Exposure

Sheltered

Hardiness
Hardiness ratings
All ratings refer to the UK growing conditions unless otherwise stated. Minimum temperature ranges (in degrees C) are shown in brackets
H1a: under glass all year (>15C)
H1b: can be grown outside in the summer (10 - 15)
H1c: can be grown outside in the summer (5 - 10)
H2: tolerant of low temperatures, but not surviving being frozen (1 to 5)
H3: hardy in coastal and relatively mild parts of the UK (-5 to 1)
H4: hardy through most of the UK (-10 to -5)
H5: hardy in most places throughout the UK even in severe winters (-15 to -10)
H6: hardy in all of UK and northern Europe (-20 to -15)
H7: hardy in the severest European continental climates (< -20)

Botanical details

Family: Malvaceae
Native to GB / Ireland: No
Foliage: Deciduous
Habit: Columnar upright
Genus: Hibiscus can be deciduous or evergreen shrubs, trees, annuals or perennials, with simple or palmately lobed leaves and large, funnel-shaped flowers over a long flowering season
Name status: Correct

How to grow

Cultivation

May be grown outdoors in mild, frost-free areas, or in large containers that can be moved indoors over winter. Outdoors, grow in neutral to slightly acidic soil in full sun, and mulch well over winter. Hibiscus need long, hot summers to flower well. Indoors, grow in bright filtered light with moderate humidity and good ventilation

Propagation

Propagate by seed (sown indoors) in spring, or propagate by division in spring

Suggested planting locations and garden types

Coastal
Cottage and informal garden
Patio and container plants
Sub-tropical
Bedding
Conservatory and greenhouse
Flower borders and beds

Pruning

Pruning group 1 if necessary, no pruning need if grown as an annual

Pests

May be susceptible to aphids, scale insects, mealybugs and glasshouse whitefly when grown under glass

Diseases

May be susceptible to honey fungus (rarely) and powdery mildews

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