Gardening Ideas Gardening Flowers How To Grow And Care For Texas Star Hibiscus Texas Star Hibiscus produces exotic tropical blooms day after day through summer. By Diana Kirby Diana Kirby Diana Kirby creates inspirational designs for her landscaping firm, Diana's Designs, launched in 2007. For 16 years, she has written for national publications, spoken publicly, consulted, and appeared on television, sharing her extensive knowledge of plants, gardening, design and outdoor living. Her personal gardens have also been featured on television, in print, and in the landscaping book, Deer Resistant Design. Southern Living's editorial guidelines Updated on June 7, 2024 Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann Fact checked by Khara Scheppmann Khara Scheppmann has 12 years of marketing and advertising experience, including proofreading and fact-checking. She previously worked at one of the largest advertising agencies in the southwest. brand's fact checking process In This Article View All In This Article Plant Attributes Care Pruning Propagating Grow From Seed Potting Overwintering Pests and Diseases Bloom Common Problems FAQ Close Photo: Daniela Duncan/Getty With large scarlet blooms, Texas Star hibiscus brings a lush, exotic feel to the garden without the drawbacks of short-lived, non-native tropical varieties. Texas Star hibiscus blooms mid-summer into fall. Its striking red flower petals grow to 6 inches wide and are cut deeply and finer than other hibiscus. In the center, dramatic yellow stamens entice pollinators. Texas Star features five-petaled, palmate leaves with deep red stems ideal for adding interesting landscape structure in addition to the blooms. Its tropical-like flowers attract bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds. Unlike tropical hibiscus varieties native to Hawaii and similar climates, Texas Star is an herbaceous perennial, returning year after year in USDA Zones 5-9. It can tolerate all but the harshest freezes to return from the root in late spring. It thrives in full sun where it grows vigorously. Plant it in the spring and it will grow to 6 feet tall or more by summer. Plant Attributes Common Name Texas Star Hibiscus, Scarlet Rose Mallow, Wild Red Rose Mallow, Swamp Mallow Botanical Name Hibiscus coccineus Family Malvaceae (Mallow) Plant Type Herbaceous perennial Mature Size 6 to 8 ft. tall, 2 to 3 ft. wide Sun Exposure Full sun, partial shade Soil Type Moist to wet Soil pH 6.0 - 6.5 Bloom Time Summer Flower Color Scarlet Hardiness Zones USDA Zones 5-9 Native Area Southeastern United States Texas Star Hibiscus Care In the right conditions with full sun and moist soil, showy Texas Star hibiscus can thrive year after year, adding drama to the landscape with showy scarlet blooms. Plant in a well-drained bed with several inches of mulch to help retain moisture. Supplemental watering may be necessary in hot and dry periods. To support prolific blooming through the growing season, fertilize once a month summer to fall. Texas Star can also be grown in containers with adequate water and fertilizer. Light Texas Star is a vigorous grower, thriving in full sun. It will grow in part shade but may bloom less or become leggy, requiring more pruning to encourage fullness. Soil Texas Star hibiscus grows in most moist and well-drained soil that is slightly acidic. It grows well in sand or near swampy areas. To help keep the soil evenly moist, use several inches of mulch. Water Found naturally in roadside ditches, marshes, and other wet areas, Texas Star hibiscus loves wet feet. Keep soil moist throughout the root zone. You cannot overwater this plant in the garden. It will adapt to drier conditions, though may need supplemental water in hot, dry summers. It is an excellent plant for bog or rain gardens. Temperature And Humidity The summer heat and high humidity in Southern coastal states doesn’t faze this hibiscus. Protect the plant from temperatures lower than 50°F. Cold temperatures can cause it to die back or cause damage. The plant may regrow in spring after dieback in cooler areas. Fertilizer To encourage continual blooming, apply a balanced fertilizer blend once a month through the growing season, spring through summer. Pruning Pruning isn’t required, though you can shape as you would like. The showy blooms last one day and are replaced with a profusion of new blooms each day. If you like, you can pinch off spent blooms as new ones appear, but deadheading isn’t necessary. Propagating Texas Star Hibiscus Texas Star hibiscus can be propagated from cuttings in the spring. Here's what to do to start new plants: Use clean pruners to cut 5- to 6-inch cuttings from the end of a stem. Make sure it has some of this year's green growth as well as some woody growth. Old wood won't root well.Dip the cuttings into rooting hormone. Press the cuttings 3 inches into a container filled with damp peat moss.Place in an area with bright light but avoid direct sunlight. Keep the soil moist until the cuttings have rooted.Transplant it into the garden when leaves begin to develop. How To Grow From Seed Texas Star is easily grown from seed. After pods have dried and turned brown, pop open pods and collect seeds. Store in envelopes until spring. Sow the seeds indoors in starter trays using seed starter mix, and keep the soil warm and evenly moist. After the danger of frost has passed, you can plant seeds directly outside or transplant seedlings into the garden. Texas Star may also self-sow in the garden. Potting Texas Star Hibiscus Texas Star can be grown in containers with proper care. It likes marshy, wet areas and needs lots of moisture. It won’t thrive in dry soil. Use good quality potting soil in a pot or container garden to help it retain moisture. Keep it watered during especially hot and dry periods. Make sure to apply fertilizer every month. Overwintering No need to overwinter Texas Star. The plant will go dormant and die back until spring. Cut back to within 4 to 6 inches of the ground in spring as new growth appears. Protect the plant with a layer of mulch in colder areas, and limit watering during winter. Common Pests and Diseases Texas Star is susceptible to grasshoppers, aphids, Hibiscus whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips, and scale. You can spray water on the plant to dislodge pests or spray with insecticidal soap. Another option is to treat both top and undersides of leaves with horticultural oil. They are susceptible to blight, rust, canker, and leaf spots. Apply neem oil to control fungal disease and prune away any affected branches. Cut the stems to the ground if the problem persists. New growth will appear in spring. How To Get Texas Star Hibiscus To Bloom Showy red flowers have five petals that form a star shape. Blooms appear from late May through September and grow to 6 inches in diameter. Give the plant monthly applications of fertilizer to encourage continuous blooms all season long. Encourage blooming by planting in an area with plenty of sunlight and moisture. Texas Star hibiscus doesn’t bloom in dry soil. Common Problems With Texas Star Hibiscus This plant is resistant to challenges that other plants aren’t. It can grow in salty or wet conditions. While there aren’t specific known problems, keep an eye out for yellowing leaves or other indications that the plant’s care needs adjustments. Leaves Turning Yellow This can indicate a few issues. Check that the plant is getting adequate water, as over- and underwatering can lead to yellowing leaves. They also turn yellow with lack of sunlight or too little fertilizer. Adjust the conditions that are causing the problem, such as correcting the watering routine or fertilizing the plant. Frequently Asked Questions Where should I plant Texas Star hibiscus? This plant thrives in moist areas, like marshes, wetlands, and swamps. In the yard, plant it near ponds or in low spots in the garden in a spot that provides sufficient sun. It can also grow in containers with adequate water and fertilizer. What can I plant with Texas Star hibiscus? Companions for Texas Star should prefer the same growing conditions, such as moist soil and full sun. Use caladium or daylilies for a mixed bed. Cardinal flower also grows along moist areas like streams and swamps. How long does Texas Star live? While its blooms last only a day or two, this perennial comes back year after year for about a decade. It may reseed itself, continually generating new plants. Was this page helpful? Thanks for your feedback! Tell us why! Other Submit Related Articles How To Grow And Care For Ranunculus (Persian Buttercup) How To Grow And Care For Summer-Blooming Hibiscuses How to Grow and Care for Summer Snowflakes 10 Fast-Growing Seeds For Summer Flowers How To Grow And Care For Winter Pansies (Ice Pansies) How To Grow And Care For Lenten Roses And Other Hellebores How To Grow And Care For Sweet Pea Flowers 8 Best Peonies To Grow In The South This Heat-Tolerant Flowering Plant Can Still Be Planted And Thrive This Summer How To Deadhead And Prune Roses For Healthier Blooms 18 Pretty Pink Flowers For Your Garden 20 Flowers To Plant Now For Gorgeous Spring Color 7 Types Of Lilies For Dramatic Color All Summer Long How To Grow And Care For Verbena How (And When!) To Deadhead Dianthus 44 Flowers That Thrive In Full Sun Newsletter Sign Up