Malvaviscus arboreus

Malvaviscus arboreus is a shrub from the Malvaceae or Hibiscus family of plants. It is native to Central America, Mexico, and the Southern States of the United States of America.

They also call it the Wax Mallow, Turk’s Tuban, Turk Cap, Sleeping Hibiscus, Drummond’s Wax Mallow, Mexican Apple, Bleeding Hearts, Manzanilla, Red Mallow, Texas Mallow, Ladie’s Teardrop, or Scotchman’s Purse. The name is Latin. “Malva” means mallow and “viscidus” means sticky referring to the sap. Arboreus refers to tree-like growth.

Malvaviscus arboreus grows to about 6ft or 1.8m. The foliage is dark green and 3-lobed. It flowers in summer and autumn, starting in July and continuing into October. The flowers are red, hibiscus-like, and have five petals. The petals usually swirl around the pistil and the stamens. They attract butterflies and hummingbirds. The fruits turn into red fruit that is edible.

How to grow Malvaviscus arboreus:

Grow Malvaviscus arboreus in the sun or in partial shade. Shelter it from strong wind. Plant in rich, fertile, moist but well-drained soil. It is drought-tolerant, once it is established. You can prune it back once the flowering season is over.