Halberd-leaved rose mallow is a rapidly growing perennial in the Malvaceae (mallow) family and is native to southeastern Canada and central and eastern United States. The genus name Hibiscus means mallow in Latin and Greek, and the species name laevis means smooth referring to the leaves which are hairless. It grows to a height of 4 to 6 feet and a width of 3 to 4 feet. It has erect green stems and large, showy, white or pink flowers. It is a relative of the okra plant and has a slimy mucilaginous sap. This plant prefers full or partial sun, fertile soil, and wet conditions and grows best in the coastal and piedmont regions of North Carolina where it bears fruit from August through October. Propagation occurs through seed planting. The plant tolerates pruning, but keep in mind that flowers will bloom on new growth. Use in a pollinator, butterfly, or rain garden, along streams or ponds, or in wet areas of the cottage or native plant garden. It grows quickly in warm weather and works well in the back of a border, in wetland gardens, and woodland habitats. This heat-tolerant plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It is browsed by white-tailed deer. It is a host plant for the larvae of the Gray hairstreak ( Strymon melinus ) butterfly as well as the Straight lined mallow (Bagisara rectifascia) moth. Insects, Diseases, and Other Plant Problems: No significant problems.
Curated pairwise relationships between this plant and others in the library — who feeds
whom, who competes, who confuses the pests. Green reads as a good pairing, red as one to avoid.
No curated interactions recorded for this species yet.
Also noted by NC State
Related species the NC State Plant Toolbox flags for this plant — look-alikes to tell
apart, and plants that play a similar role in a planting. Ones we carry in the library are linked.
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day) | Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)
Soil texture
High Organic Matter
Soil drainage
Moist | Occasionally Wet
Available space
3 feet-6 feet
NC region
Coastal; Piedmont
Mature size
Height: 4 ft. 0 in. - 6 ft. 0 in. | Width: 3 ft. 0 in. - 4 ft. 0 in.
Growth rate
Rapid
Maintenance
Low
Canopy layer
3 - Shrub (3-15 ft)
Form & Appearance
Texture
Coarse
Leaf color
Green
Leaf type
Simple
Leaf arrangement
Alternate
Leaf shape
Lanceolate; Ovate
Leaf margin
Lobed
Leaf feel
Smooth
Leaf size
3-6 inches long, 3-6 inches wide
Hairs present
No
Leaf detail
The green leaves simple, alternate, smooth are 3 lobed and up to 6 inches long and 4 inches across. Resemble the old fashioned halberd spear. The margins are serrate-crenate. The leaf shape can vary from 3-5 lobed or unlobed.
Flower color
Pink; White
Flower value
Long Bloom Season; Showy
Flower form
Solitary
Flower shape
Cup
Flower size
3-6 inches
Flower detail
White to pink flowers bloom from June to September and are 5 petaled with a deeper colored throat and up to 6 inches wide. Prominent long stamens in the center of the cup-shaped flower. Each flower lasts for a day.
Bloom time
Fall; Summer
Fruit detail
Fruit displays from August to October. Large finely hairy seeds are carried by the water.
Stem color
Green
Stem detail
The stems are terete and glabrous, branching sparingly
Wildlife & Ecology
Native status
Native
Origin
Southeastern Canada, central and eastern U.S.A.
Wildlife value
This plant attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, bees, and other pollinators. It is browsed by white-tailed deer.