Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Family: Malvaceae · Also called Chinese Hibiscus, Shoeblack Plant, Bunga Raya, Loranthus soyauxii, Loranthus angustitepalus, Loranthus gossweileri
Heady & Exotic · Summer bloomer
The hibiscus is the tropics distilled into a single flower, a wide, flaring trumpet in electric colors that seems to glow from within. Each bloom lasts only a day, opening at dawn and wilting by nightfall, but the plant produces them so prolifically that it is never without color. The stigma extends dramatically beyond the petals, giving the flower its characteristic exotic silhouette.
beauty, femininity, delicate beauty, fame
In the Victorian language of flowers, hibiscus means “Delicate beauty and seize the opportunity”. Hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and South Korea. In Hawaii, wearing a hibiscus behind the right ear means you're single; behind the left means you're taken. Hibiscus tea (agua de jamaica) is a beloved drink across Mexico, the Caribbean, and West Africa.
Did You Know?
Hibiscus flowers are edible and rich in vitamin C. Hibiscus tea (made from H. sabdariffa, a different species) has been shown in clinical studies to lower blood pressure. The flower is also used to polish shoes in parts of tropical Asia, earning it the nickname 'shoeblack plant.'
Tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, from coastal areas to mountain forests
Hibiscus is native to Tropical Asia. It naturally grows in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide, from coastal areas to mountain forests.
Scent Profile
“A warm, tropical sweetness with musky, berry-like undertones, exotic and sun-drenched.”
Quick Reference
- Scientific NameHibiscus rosa-sinensis
- FamilyMalvaceae
- Native ToTropical Asia
- Bloom SeasonSummer
- LifespanPerennial
Cultural Significance
Hibiscus is the national flower of Malaysia and South Korea. In Hawaii, wearing a hibiscus behind the right ear means you're single; behind the left means you're taken. Hibiscus tea (agua de jamaica) is a beloved drink across Mexico, the Caribbean, and West Africa.