Red Hibiscus - Hibiscus tiliaceus 'Rubra'

Red Hibiscus, Hibiscus tiliaceus 'Rubra'

A bold, fast-growing coastal tree with striking deep burgundy-red foliage that holds its colour year-round. Hibiscus tiliaceus 'Rubra' delivers immediate visual weight and a tropical, architectural presence that few trees can match at scale.

Why Red Hibiscus

Foliage Colour: Deep burgundy to ruby-red leaves provide year-round colour contrast, a rare quality in a tree of this size.
Fast Establishment: Vigorous growth rate means advanced specimens settle quickly and continue to develop with minimal intervention.
Coastal Resilience: Highly tolerant of salt-laden air, humidity, and exposed coastal conditions, performs where many ornamentals fail.
Tropical Presence: Large, heart-shaped leaves and a broad canopy create an immediate sense of maturity and lushness.
Flowering: Produces classic hibiscus blooms, yellow with a deep red centre, adding seasonal detail to an already dramatic specimen.

Ideal Applications

Coastal Residential Properties: A defining specimen for beachside and waterfront landscapes where salt tolerance and visual impact are both non-negotiable.
Resort and Hospitality Projects: Delivers the lush, tropical aesthetic demanded by high-end resort and hotel landscape briefs.
Street and Boulevard Planting: Strong structure and resilience make it well-suited to feature planting along driveways and entry corridors.
Screening and Privacy: Dense canopy and rapid growth establish effective visual barriers without sacrificing ornamental quality.

Specimen & Installation

Spacing (screening/hedge): 2–3m
Spacing (feature/avenue): 5–8m
Planting Season: Spring to early summer in tropical and subtropical regions; avoid cold dry periods
Soil & Drainage: Adaptable to a wide range of soils including sandy, loamy and clay soils; prefers moist, well-drained conditions but tolerates periodic waterlogging and coastal salinity
Establishment Care: Water deeply two to three times per week for the first 8–12 weeks until established, then reduce to regular deep watering during dry periods. Apply a layer of mulch around the base to retain soil moisture and suppress weeds.

Plant Details

Height: 4–8m
Width: 4–6m
Growth Rate: Fast
Foliage: Evergreen
Light: Full sun to partial shade
Native to: Tropical and subtropical coastlines of the Pacific and Indian Oceans, including northern Australia
Flower Colour: Yellow with dark red-purple centre