Hibiscus schizopetalus 'Chinese Lantern

Hibiscus schizopetalus 'Chinese Lantern' is also called 'Japanese Lantern', 'Coral Hibiscus' or 'Fringed Rose Mallow'. Its flowers are usually bright red, rarely pink, but sometimes streaked and variegated. Each flower is produced individually and hangs on a long thin pedicel from the end of the stems. The deeply serrated petals(schizopetalus means "split petal") are really curved and the long stamens hang down. Although very fragile and delicate, each bloom lasts several days, unlike the flowers ofHibiscus rosa-sinensis which last 24 hours. The Hibiscus schizopetalus is rather long and is less shrubby than the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. To have a massive effect, it is better to have more than one specimen. Schizopetalus is fast growing and has a weeping habit. In its natural environment, it can reach 10 to 12 feet (3 to 3.5 meters) in height and width.

Like all Hibiscus, Schizopetalus likes to be grown in full sun with plenty of water and fertilizer for maximum flowering.Hibiscus needs to be watered abundantly as soon as the soil is dry to the touch. It likes to have a high relative humidity, so it is necessary to think of increasing the humidity level with a humidifier in winter in our houses, where the air becomes dry because of the heating. In such situations, it is possible to observe the fall of the flower buds and to see the leaves turning yellow. We advise to take it out in the summer when the temperature is mild enough and bring it inside at the latest at the end of August. It will attract pollinators, butterflies and hummingbirds. If the Hibiscus schizopetalus becomes bald or too large, it can be pruned, but keep in mind that pruning will delay flowering.

Family : Malvaceae
Origin : Central Africa
Watering : water abundantly as soon as the soil is dry to the touch
Light : intense and direct
Relative humidity : high
Substrate : rich and draining, use our homemade potting soil for tropical plants
Fertilization : fertilizer for flowering, from April to September
Flowering : bright red or pink
Toxicity : non-toxic for humans and animals 

* Please note that each plant is unique and will be different from the one on the picture. Also note that some plants do not have flowers yet.