Appearance

The rose mallow has white or pink hibiscus flowers with five petals. The flowers have a deep pink or burgundy center with a yellow stamen and grow to 6 to 8 inches in diameter. They bloom from mid-summer through early autumn. The rose mallow's leaves are green and wedge-shaped with velvety undersides; the leaves can grow to 8 inches in length. The plant has round stems with tiny hairs and a broad, round base. Rose mallow grows to 7 feet tall.

Reproduction and Life Cycle

About one month after flowering, seed capsules mature and turn brown. Seed pods eventually split open, allowing seeds to scatter.

Did You Know?

• The rose mallow is also known as the swamp mallow, marsh mallow and marsh hibiscus.
• It has been used medicinally in the form of tea to treat digestive and urinary tract inflammations.
• There are many rose mallow cultivars that come in various colors, such as hot pink and ruby red.

Sources and Additional Information

• Native Plants for Wildlife Habitat and Conservation Landscaping: Chesapeake Bay Watershed – U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service
• PLANTS Database: Hibiscus moscheutos – USDA Natural Resources Conservation Service
• Lady Bird Johnson Wildflower Center: Hibiscus moscheutos – The University of Texas at Austin
• PlantFiles: Rose Mallow, Swamp Mallow – Dave’s Garden