Cotton rose (Hibiscus mutabilis) plants have showy, colorful blooms that appear in fall.
This Southern heirloom plant is easy to care for, heres how.
For many reasons, the beloved cotton rose is a symbolic flower for the South.
Credit: Ralph Anderson
Who wouldn’t want a flower like this?
They often open white and fade to dark pink as they age.
You’ll often see all three colors on the same plant.
This naming makes sense because cotton and cotton rose both belong to the mallow family, theMalvaceae.
Imagine something like that loaded with multi-colored flowers late into the year!
And where it doesn’t get too cold, it keeps on blooming through the fall.
These plants are fast-growing and can reach up to 8 to 10 feet in a season.
Plant in late spring to early summer after the last frost.
In north-central Alabama, the cotton rose becomes a large, multi-trunked shrub about 8 feet tall.
It freezes to the ground in winter and then comes back up.
This plant thrives in USDA zones 7-11, where it can grow tall and treelike.
These plants are alsodeer-resistant, so continued care is moderate.
Light
Cotton rose prefers full sun.
Try planting cotton roses in an area with at least six hours of direct sunlight.
Soil
Cotton rose needs moist, fertile soil, but it will tolerate less ideal conditions.
Maintain moist soil throughout the yeareven in winter.
Too much watering can cause disease, such as fungal growth.
Temperature and Humidity
Cotton rose will lose its leaves and die back after a hard frost.
Wait until later winter or early spring to prune, which will help stimulate new growth in the spring.
In warmer coastal areas,it may overwinter.
Fertilizer
Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring.
Pruning
You will not need to do extensive pruning.
An annual shearing of dead branches to promote new growth should be enough.
ensure to choose a container with drainage holes and use a well-draining soil.
Clay is a great option for these plants.
While dormant, reduce watering and keep in low light.
Move it back outdoors once the last frost has passed in the spring.
The key to maintaining a healthy plant is proper wateringnot too much or too little.
Their fluffy flowers can be single or double form depending on the variety, but they have no scent.
Cotton roses attract butterflies, hummingbirds, andother pollinators.
Deadhead spent flowers, before they turn into fuzzy capsules, to encourage more blooms.
It will flower more if planted in full sun.
However, issues can crop up, especially if it’s watered too much or too little.
Water in the morning when temperatures are cooler and keep the soil moist but not overly wet.
Plant Leaves Falling Off
If leaves are turning yellow and dropping off, it could be whiteflies.
Spray the leaves with neem oil or a mild insecticidal soap.
It is also associated with beauty and grace.
