Hibiscus acetosella, commonly known as Maple Leaf Hibiscus is a tropical shrub and relatively little-known member of the hibiscus family which deserves more recognition.

Under ideal conditions, plants can attain a height up to 8 feet. They prefer a moist soil in full sun or partial shade, but do not like 'wet feet'. We water ours every day during the hot summer months. They will let you know by curling their foilage when they are thirsty.

Maple Leaf Hibiscus will do well where temperatures do not drop below freezing. Cut back all growth to about 24 inches from the ground after blooming ceases and temperatures start to get cooler. Alternatively, you can grow them in containers and overwinter in your garage or some other place out of the weather.

The most outstanding characteristic of the Maple Leaf Hibiscus is its distinctive maroon maple-shaped foliage which contrasts wonderfully with almost any other shrub or plant and makes a showy background when grown against a wall. They are prone to get a little tall and leggy. Prune or pinch out tips until the end of June, and you will get a much more compact plant with many more flowers.

Flowers appear in mid to late summer when plants begin their blooming cycle, producing flowers non-stop until the weather cools. The individual bloom is a velvety dark burgundy (nearly black) and opens in the morning, but lasts only one day which is common to most other hibiscus plants.

Maple Leaf Hibiscus is easily propagated by either soft or hardwood cuttings. Take about 6 to 8 inch tip cuttings and strip the lower leaves. Insert cuttings directly into pots containing average potting soil and keep moist. Rooting should take place in about 10 days when you will also see new growth beginning to show.