Cranberry Hibiscus, Hibiscus acetosella

False Roselle, Maroon mallow, Red-Shield hibiscus and Cranberry hibiscus are all different names for Hibiscus acetosella. 

A tropical African native, Cranberry hibiscus has been collected to the point of disappearing in those lands.  Not only does it have use as an attractive short-lived flowering perennial in the landscape, its young leaves and shoots have been added to salads for color, cooked with rice or vegetables because of their slightly acid flavor and are sometimes used for tea.

Cranberry hibiscus has red leaves reminiscent of a Japanese maple. The flowers, which are open only a day, are used in salads. Note the leaves are NOT sweet; they have a flavor somewhat tangy and similar to a mild lemon.

Here in SW Florida, our Cranberry hibiscus grows to about 6-8 feet tall, but tends to arch over rather than stand straight up. It can be pruned to a hedge if desired, without damaging the plant. Although it is not considered a perennial, it generally self-seeds so that new growth appears in the spring, even after the parent plant is killed by frost or freezing.

3 inch pot – $3.00

gallon size – $5.00