Norfolk Island hibiscus
Will it grow where I live?
Norfolk Island hibiscus is only hardy to zone 8, so outdoors year-round it needs the mildest spots in Central Europe – wine-growing regions, the Rhine valley, coasts, Lake Constance, Ticino – or a container overwintered under cover. Most of the British Isles and the Pacific coast of North America qualify.
Or check it for your location right here:
Profile
- Family
- Malvaceae
- Habit
- Tree
- Height
- 12 m
- Spread
- 6 m
- Growth
- medium
- Lifespan
- 50 years
- First yield
- after 5 years
- Hardiness
- zone 8–11
- Shade tolerance
- light shade
- Soil
- Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay
- Soil moisture
- dry – very moist
- pH
- 5.5 – 7.5
Growing
Lagunaria patersonia prefers full sun and well-drained soils with a sandy to loamy texture. It tolerates a soil pH range from 5.5 to 7.5 and is drought tolerant once established. Regular watering is required during the first 2-3 years. Propagation is by seed or semi-ripe cuttings in summer. Prune lightly to maintain shape and remove dead wood. Handle seed pods with care due to irritating hairs.
Frequently asked questions
Norfolk Island hibiscus: how big does it get?
Norfolk Island hibiscus (Lagunaria patersonia) grows as a Tree and reaches roughly 12 m in height when mature, with a spread of about 6 m. Growth is medium.
Norfolk Island hibiscus: what site does it need?
Norfolk Island hibiscus tolerates light shade. Suitable soils are Sand, Silt, Loam, Clay. Soil moisture should be in the range dry – very moist. The pH may lie between 5.5 and 7.5.
Norfolk Island hibiscus: is it hardy?
Norfolk Island hibiscus is listed as hardy in zone 8–11 and survives normal winters outdoors there.
Norfolk Island hibiscus: will it grow in Central Europe?
Norfolk Island hibiscus is only hardy to zone 8, so outdoors year-round it needs the mildest spots in Central Europe – wine-growing regions, the Rhine valley, coasts, Lake Constance, Ticino – or a container overwintered under cover. Most of the British Isles and the Pacific coast of North America qualify.
Norfolk Island hibiscus: is it poisonous?
Individual parts of Norfolk Island hibiscus are noted as mildly problematic — the plant does not count as poisonous. With wild plants, never rely on a database alone, only on a confident identification.
Plan this plant into your own garden
Permaplans plans your garden to scale on the map — with a site check, harvest calendar and over 1,000 plants. Free for iPhone, Android, Mac, Windows & Linux.
Will this plant grow where you live? → Check your site
Community experience
No first-hand reports for this plant yet.
Growing it? Write in the app what works for you – your post will show up here.
💬 Get the app and join in