How to grow and care for the Chinese lantern hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus)

Other names for the Chinese lantern hibiscus

The Chinese lantern hibiscus, also known as split-petal hibiscus, coral hibiscus, windbell hibiscus, lantern flower, hanging lantern flower, and false West Indian hibiscus.

Origin of the Chinese lantern hibiscus

The Chinese lantern hibiscus is native to tropical East Africa and is a common ornamental garden plant in tropical countries; it is also cultivated in Taiwan, China, Fujian, Guangdong, Guangxi and Yunnan.

Morphological characteristics of the Chinese lantern hibiscus

The Chinese lantern hibiscus is an evergreen upright shrub, about 3 m tall, with rather slender branches that often droop; the surface is fairly smooth, with no downy hairs.

The leaves of the Chinese lantern hibiscus are oval or oblong, about 4-7 cm long and 1.5-4 cm wide, with a short pointed tip and a blunt or broadly wedge-shaped base; the leaf margins are toothed and irregular, and both sides of the leaf are hairless.

The leaf stalk of the Chinese lantern hibiscus is 1-2 cm long, covered with fine hairs; the stipules are awl-shaped, about 2 mm long, and usually fall early.

The flowers of the Chinese lantern hibiscus are borne singly in the leaf axils at the tips of the branches; the flower stalk is rather slender and droops downward, about 8-14 cm long, smooth and hairless; the bud has 5 very small lance-shaped bracts, 1-2 mm long; the calyx is tubular, about 1.5 cm long, densely covered with fine hairs, and often splits open on one side.

The flower of the Chinese lantern hibiscus has 5 petals, red, about 5 cm long, deeply and finely divided into a fringed, tassel-like shape and curved backward upward; the staminal column is long and rather prominent, hanging down, about 10 cm long, without hairs; the flowering period is year-round.

The capsule is long and cylindrical, about 4 cm long and about 1 cm in diameter.

Main value of the Chinese lantern hibiscus

The Chinese lantern hibiscus is an ornamental flowering shrub with rather large flowers, fairly vivid colors and a long flowering period.

In the south, the Chinese lantern hibiscus is often planted beside ponds, in front of courtyards, along roadsides and by walls, blooming continuously all year round and very festive.

In the Yangtze River basin and northern regions, the Chinese lantern hibiscus is grown on balconies or in courtyards; under conditions of ample light, the ornamental period is also extended, so it is one of the main potted plants displayed in public places in summer and autumn.