Abelmoschus manihot

RHS Plant Profile
edible hibiscus

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edible hibiscus RHS

Other common names

aibika

Synonyms

Hibiscus manihot

Herbaceous Perennial Annual Biennial

A tropical perennial normally grown as an annual in temperate areas, producing a large clump of five- or seven-fingered leaves. The flowers, in spires, open one at a time and are up to 15cm across, lemon yellow with a dark purple eye. They are followed by green, hairy seed pods

Position

Full sun

Soil Types

Clay, Loam, Sand

Max Height

1.5-2.5 metres

Max Spread

0.5-1 metres

Size

Time to Maturity
1 year
Max Spread
0.5-1 metres
Max Height
1.5-2.5 metres

Growing Conditions

Clay Loam Sand
Moisture
Moist but well–drained
pH
Acid or Alkaline or Neutral

Position

Full sun
Aspect
South–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)
H2

Colour & Scent

Season Stem Flower Foliage Fruit
Spring
Summer
Autumn
Winter

Botanical Details

Family
Malvaceae
Native to GB/Ireland
No
Foliage
Deciduous
Habit
Bushy
Genus
Abelmoschus are hairy annuals or perennials with large, usually palmately-lobed leaves and 5-petalled, hibiscus-like, flowers borne in the leaf axils or in terminal racemes
Name Status
Correct
Plant Range
SE Asia

How to Grow

Cultivation

Start off under glass and plant out in a sunny, sheltered position with well-drained, fertile soil, after all frost risk has passed

Propagation

Propagate by seed, or by softwood cuttings in early summer

Suggested planting locations and garden types

  • Sub-tropical
  • Cottage and informal garden
  • Flower borders and beds
  • Wall side borders

Pruning

Cut back stems as they finish flowering

Pests

May be susceptible to slugs, snails, glasshouse red spider mite and glasshouse whitefly

Diseases

Susceptible to powdery mildews