Top 27 Most Beautiful Hibiscus Flowers

Did you know your friendly neighborhood flower has other breathtakingly beautiful versions?

Written by Ramya Karamsetti
Edited by Asmita De, MA (English)  • 

Hibiscus is a flowering plant which is typically grown in warm tropical climates. These flowers are large and are shaped like a trumpet. These beautiful hibiscus flowers belong to the mallow family, and there are around 200 species of this plant. The pistils of this flower protrude dramatically from the horn of the flower making it into showy blossoms. The leaves are alternate and parted with veins that fan out from the leaf stem. They are available in several colors from stunning deep purple to white and even multicolored. This flower lasts only one day, maybe a bit longer if kept in the refrigerator.

27 Most Beautiful Hibiscus Flowers

Hibiscus is often used for decoration purposes and adds great beauty to the garden. In India, hibiscus is used as an offering to the goddess Kali, and Lord Ganesh. It is also used as an ingredient in hair care remedies. Hibiscus flowers are well known for providing several health benefits. The Pharaohs used hibiscus tea and it is still common in Egyptian weddings. It has a tangy, citrusy flavor and is often used in the preparation of salads and candies. There are three major types of hibiscus flowers:

Tropical Hibiscus:

Tropical hibiscus is native to Hawaii.  It belongs to the Malvaceae family. They are identified by their shiny leaves, and bright and vibrant blooms.  It is available in a plethora of colors.

Perennial Hibiscus:

Perennial hibiscus is a name given to a large group of hibiscus which go dormant in winter and reappear during springs. Perennial hibiscus is cold and tolerant but some often die below 28 degrees, lasting for less than 5 hours and can be destroyed easily during infrequent cold snaps.

Hardy Hibiscus:

Hardy hibiscus is a member of the Mallow family. They are the largest hibiscus with showy flowers with 8 inches wide blooms. Hardy flowers are very hardy in colder climates. They get back to the ground in winter and return in the spring. It is mostly available in white, pink and red colors. These captivating flowers do not survive in hot, wet summers but live much longer in cool and dry climates. A hardy hibiscus is a late bloomer with green spots and continues to flower until the frost kills the last of the buds.

So here is all the hibiscus flower information that you will need!

1. China rose:

 

China rose is known as a blackening plant as its flowers are used in the tropics to polish shoes. It is a popular Asiatic shrub which attains the height of 15 to 25 feet while withstanding frost. It has oval shaped flowers which are 3 to 4 inches long. The blooms are mainly in the red shade but some yellow, pink and orange varieties are also available. It comes in both single and double-petaled blooms. These pretty flowers are 4 to 6 inches long with long columns of stamens.

2. Rock Hibiscus:

Rock hibiscus is native to Mexico and the United States. The shrub which bears this exotic flower clings to the rocky formations and can even survive elevation of up to 2000 feet.  The shrub bears sparse foliage of triangular gray leaves. The color ranges from white to deep purple and pink. The flower has 5 petals of around 3 inches in diameter.

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The rock hibiscus flower has a pale lavender/white color and that’s why it’s also called ‘paleface.’ It’s mostly found in desert washes and rocky soil.

3. Flower of an Hour:

Flower of an Hour is also known as Hibiscus trionum. This charming hibiscus grows up to 4 feet in height and produces cream to yellow-colored blossoms.  This beautiful flower will look outstanding in the garden and for decoration purposes.

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4. Roselle:

This attractive flower is commonly known as Indian Roselle. The plant has solitary yellow flowers and is stalk-less. It is an annual or perennial shrub growing up to 7 to 8 feet. The leaves are three to five lobed and are 3 to 6 inches long. Roselle is 4 inches in diameter and is white to pale yellow in color.

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5. Rose in Sharon:

Rose in Sharon is another name of Hibiscus syriacus. It is a hardy and easy to grow shrub. It blooms from late summer to mid autumn.  It is abundantly available in South Korea and blooms in a variety of shades like white, purple and violet. The shrub which bears this plant grows up to 5 to 15 feet high with sharply toothed oval leaves. The flower is short with just 3 to 5 inches long petals with dark green foliage. The size of the bloom will depend upon pruning as pruned flowers have proper and larger blooms while flowers which are left in the wild produce smaller flowers.

6. Abelmosk:

This delightful hibiscus is also known as Musk mallow, Kasturi and Musk seed in India. This is an annual plant that grows from 2 to 6 feet in height. This hibiscus is native to India and is well known for its musky perfume. Its seeds are added to coffee and the leaves and shoots are eaten as vegetables. This flower is also used in Homeopathy to treat gonorrheal cystitisi  XAn inflammatory bladder infection that causes symptoms like frequent urination, low fever, and abdominal cramps. and urethritisi  XInflammation in the urethra that is contracted through sexually transmitted infections like chlamydia and gonorrhea. .

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7. Giant Rose Mallow:

Giant rose mallow strongly resembles Hibiscus Moscheutos , has broader leaves and is quite tall in height. The flowers are pink in color while some are in white with a dark red centre. It has smooth foliage in the rich shade of coppery purple. The flowers are produced in succession from midsummer all the way through the frost of autumn. Giant rose mallow prefers good, moist garden soil in full sun.

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8. Hibiscus Moscheutos:

Hibiscus Moscheutos is a multicolored flower.  It is a perennial shrub which grows up to 3 to 8 feet in length.  Its color ranges from pure white to deep rose with a deep maroon centre. It belongs to the family of Malvaceae, which is commonly known as rose mallow. This showy flower has 12 inches wide petals with dark green leaves and yellow stamens. This alluring flower blooms from summer to fall.

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9. Rose Mallow:

Rose Mallow is hibiscus moscheutos, often referred to as sea mallow swamp and swamp rose mallow. It is a deciduous hibiscus shrub that grows in cold regions. It is a salt marsh plant and grows up to 7 meters in height. The flowers are around 4 to 7 inches wide long with green, oval leaves. The flowers are mainly pink in color that deepens as they age. Rose mallows need full sun, well-drained, slightly acidic soil and plenty of water to grow.  It blooms in the summer summers and attracts hummingbirds.

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10. Checkered Hibiscus:

This enchanting crimson-colored hibiscus belongs to the Malvaceae family. It has deep green leaves with shiny foliage and the flower blooms in pink, red, white and cream colors. The flower has a diameter of about 4 inches and looks strikingly beautiful. The flower needs well-drained soil with partial to full shade to bloom properly.

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11. Hawaiian Hibiscus:

Hawaiian hibiscus is the seven known species of hibiscus reared as native to Hawaii. This graceful hibiscus has large petals which are mainly bright in color. This hibiscus grows very fast and lasts for a long time as compared to other types of hibiscus. Hibiscus Brackenridge is Hawaii’s state flower.

12. Hibiscus Sabdariffa:

This striking hibiscus is mainly grown in gardens and is one of the most popular varieties of hibiscus.  It is also known as Roselle hibiscus. The flower is white to pale yellow and has a red spot on each petal.

13. Hibiscus Mutabilis:

This fascinating hibiscus variety is known as Confederate rose or Dixie rose mallow. The flowers are in double bloom and have white or green foliage. Planting Hibiscus mutabilis will definitely add more beauty to your garden. This flower blooms from summer to fall and is approximately 4 to 6 inches in diameter. Hibiscus mutabilis are mainly pink and white in color that changes to red with time. This flower grows well in well-drained soil and prefers full to partial shade.

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Confederate rose is native to China. The ‘Rubra’ variety of this flower is known for its distinct scarlet red bloom. It’s also called cotton rose, as the buds resemble cotton balls.

14. Hibiscus Coccineus:

Hibiscus Coccineus is also known as Texas Star hibiscus. The plant grows up to 7 feet tall and produces red flowers, 3 to 4 inches in diameter. This blossoming flower likes the full sun for thriving and flourishing and is quite susceptible to frost and extremely cold weather conditions. So, mulching is necessary while growing this flower. This blooming woody upright hibiscus attracts hummingbirds and butterflies.

15. Hibiscus Cannabinus:

Hibiscus cannabinus is known as Kenaf and belongs to the Malvaceae family. This flower is well known for the fiber obtained from it. Its fiber is used in the manufacturing of jute. It has large, single, red flowers about 3 to 4 inches in diameter. It grows in well-drained soil in spring or early summer, in a sunny location.

16. Hibiscus Tiliaceus:

This belongs to the Mallow family and its common names are Sea hibiscus and coast hibiscus. The shrub grows to a height of 3 to 6 cm; its young branches, buds and flowers are covered with short, shaft hair. The flowers are bright yellow in color with red centers and have long, flexible stems. It has dark green, heart-shaped leaves with a white to grey foliage.  The flowers are large, showy and have 5 free petals.

17. Hibiscus Luna Red:

This hibiscus is a compact bushy plant with gigantic flowers. It has five petaled blooms with bright green foliage. The shorter variety of this flower is an excellent choice for garden and decorations. This flower grows well in well-drained, fertile soil with ample moisture. It is a beautiful, eye-catching flower of 6 to 8 inches. This flower dies back to ground level during the winter and reappears in the summers. It is best planted in large containers. This flower attracts hummingbirds.

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18. Mango Liqueur:

This hybrid hibiscus has wide blooms of 6 to 8 inches and has petals like old, ruffled flowers. This is an easy to grow plant and grows up to 7 meters in height. Mango Liqueur’s parents are ‘Muffin Man’ which gives it its ruffled texture. This colorful flower looks amazing in weddings and party decorations.

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19. Exuberance:

This delightful flower has large, multicolored blooms which are approximately 7 to 9 inches wide. The flower blooms in colors like yellow, orange, red and pink. Its parents ‘Saffron’ and ‘Fireball, are two vividly colored flowers of medium size.

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20. Beach Beauty:

Beach beauty is a large 8 inches flower in rings of golden yellow, white and candy pink. The flower has a bright red eye with tints of orange around the edges. It is a hybrid flower which combines the soft and vivid colors of both its parents, ‘Stolen Kiss’ and ‘Acapulco Gold’. The bush is of medium size and grows up to 6 meters.

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21. Secret Heart:

The secret heart is a lovely two-toned pink flower with a red center. It is a large flower that grows well in alkaline soil. This flower develops in pink and red shades in cooler weather and blooms in blue color in warmer weather conditions. It has a blue-toned body with a warm pink edge. It gets its blue color and red center from its father, ‘Rocket’s Red Glare’ and gets its amazing foliage from its mother, ‘Crème de Cacao’

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22. Champagne:

Champagne hibiscus blooms with a large 8 inches single flower that has hints of yellow and a tiny red centre. It is a hybrid between ‘Muffin Man’ and ‘Rainbow Christie’ and has smooth, even colored flowers.

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23. Aphrodite:

Aphrodite is valued for its large single, dark pink flowers with bright yellow centers. This flower blooms in mid to late summer in a sunny or partial shade. This deep fuchsia 6 to 8 inches wide flower sizzles against the dark green velvety foliage. The flower blooms every year in August in almost all types of soil. It is a hybrid flower between ‘Space Oddity’ and ‘Vin Extraordinaire.’ The plant grows 2 to 3 feet tall.

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24. Luna Pink Swirl:

Luna pink is a hardy perennial plant which produces large white and pink flowers with red centers. The flower is 8 inches in diameter and the plant grows 8 feet tall. The plant grows well in moist, fertile and well-drained soil. It produces flowers late in the summer. The flower requires optimum care as it is quite susceptible to fungal diseases. The flower petals are pink on one side and fade to light creamy pink on the other side. The flower attracts butterflies and hummingbirds.

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25. Hibiscus – Blue River II:

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This plant can be easily grown in average to medium soil but grows best in organically rich soils and under the full sun. The plant grows to a height of 4 to 5 meters which bears 5 petaled hollyhock blooms. The flower has a short life and does not live for more than one day. The flower blooms every year in succession from midsummer to early fall. The light green foliage makes an amazing contrast to its white petals.

26. Fiesta Hibiscus:

A fiesta hibiscus
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Image: Shutterstock

This tropical flower blooms in summer. Its petals are bright orange as it starts to bloom and changes to deep blush and pink with orange at the borders once it fully blossoms. It can be used to decorate the house. It can also be kept outdoors in summer.

27. Painted Lady Hibiscus:

A painted lady hibiscus
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Image: Shutterstock

This plant grows best in neutral to slightly acidic and well-drained soil under bright sun. It attains a height of 6-10 ft. and spreads 4-6 ft wide. It features pink petals, white veins, and dark red eyes. While it is a tropical flower, it might need to be put in partial shade in hot and dry climates.

Infographic: Top 10 Elegant Hibiscus Flowers

These trumpet-shaped blooms are not only beautiful in the yard, but they also have decorative and medicinal properties. There are numerous reasons to admire these brightly colored blooms. Their beauty is frequently associated with joy, sunshine, and good fortune. Scroll down for an infographic on the ten most popular varieties of hibiscus flowers.

top 10 elegant hibiscus flowers (infographic)

Illustration: StyleCraze Design Team

Get the high-quality PDF version of this infographic.

Download Infographic in PDF version

Hibiscus flowers typically grow in warm climates and are commonly used as decorative items. They have been used for centuries for their medicinal properties. Additionally, hibiscus flowers have been used in the preparation of salads, candies, and other dishes. You can go for the red China rose, the bright Hawaiian hibiscus, or the gorgeous pink aphrodite. These beautiful hibiscus flowers can brighten up your garden and soothe your soul.

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Image: Dall·E/StyleCraze Design Team

Frequently Asked Questions

What does hibiscus symbolize?

There are many color varieties of hibiscus flowers, each with a different meaning. Red hibiscus is considered a symbol of love and passion while yellow hibiscus signifies sunshine, happiness, and good luck. Pink hibiscus stands or friendship and love in general.

What is the rarest color of hibiscus?

Blue seems to be the rarest color of hibiscus, brought about by cross breeding.

Is hibiscus a lucky plant?

Yellow hibiscus is considered lucky for home gardens in India.

Key Takeaways

  • Hibiscus flowers are not only beautiful but also possess medicinal properties making them a valuable addition to gardens.
  • A wide array of flowers from the Hibiscus family are known for their different shapes and colors, from fiery red to delicate pinks.
  • Hibiscus flowers are very versatile and can be easily incorporated in cooking salads, candies, and other dishes due to their unique flavor and color.

The world of hibiscus flowers is large and glorious. Take a look at the kaleidoscopic beauty of the best 37 hibiscus flowers in this video, coming in various shapes, colors, sizes, and names.

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