Japanese Lantern Schizopetalus Hibiscus Live Plant Rare Species Red Fringed Single Flowers Starter Sz 4

Hibiscus schizopetalus, or Japanese Lantern, is a Tropical Hibiscus native to Zanzibar and coastal Africa. It was introduced into commercial production in the early 1900s. Gardeners, Collectors, Hybridizers, and Horticulturists were soon enamored with the unique frilly split petals and usually long, trailing stamens of the bright scarlet red flowers that dangle down and outward main body of the plant on long, thin stems. It has remained a favorite of collectors and hybridizers, but it is seldom grown commercially now and is often difficult to find. The species has much in common with Hibiscus rosa senensis, the most common and best-known type of Tropical Hibiscus. The pollen is compatible, so hybridizers often use Schizopetalus as a parent plant. Other common names are Frilled Hibiscus or Coral Hibiscus.

The bush grows dense and tall, with bright green, glossy, sharply serrated oval leaves. Left unpruned plants reach a mature height of about 8 to 12 feet within a few seasons. It blooms in repeating cycles throughout the warm season. To thrive, it requires little more than a slightly acidic, well-draining soil or media, bright, direct light, adequate irrigation, protection from cold, and minimal iron-rich nutrition.

It is a versatile, easy-to-grow plant with many interesting uses. It can be used as a hedge, backdrop, transition, single-trunked standard tree form, or potted plant. However, it does not adapt easily to average indoor conditions and often requires environmental modifications such as supplemental lighting, additional humidity, and increased temperatures to thrive and bloom indoors.