Malvaviscus
( mal - vah - VIS - kus )
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At-A-Glance InformationThis genus is filled with species of herbaceous flowering plants with green foliage and flowers that do not open. These plants are commonly called Turk's Cap, Sleeping Hibiscus, or Mazapan. The bright red flowers will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to the garden from summer through fall. Stamens extend past the petals, similar to flowers of Hibiscus spp. Leaves are downy and heart shaped. Use Turk's Cap shrubs for hedges or screening, in pollinator or wildlife gardens, as shady understory plants, in decorative containers, or as edimentals.
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Malvaviscus Species and Varietals
The genus Malvaviscus is a member of the plant family Malvaceae and includes about a dozen species. The plants included in this genus are closely related to those in Hibiscus, Gossypium, Abelmoschus, Theobroma, and Pavonia. Turk's Cap grows well in USDA hardiness zones 7-11 or in Sunset growing zones 4-9 and 14-24. To find your zone, click here: Zone Map.
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Malvaviscus arboreus (Wax Mallow, Turk's Cap, Turk's Turban, Sleeping Hibiscus, Manzanilla, Manzanita de Pollo, Ladies Teardrop, Scotchman's Purse) These plants are common understory shrubs in their native range (southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America, and South America), and are commonly cultivated as garden ornamentals in sunny to shady areas. It produces bright red flowers that do not fully open. To 2-3 feet tall. Cultivar 'Big Momma' has coral-red blossoms. This species is considered invasive in Australia and some of the tropical Pacific Islands. |
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Malvaviscus penduliflorus (Mazapan, Turk's Cap Mallow, Cardinal's Hat, Firecracker Hibiscus, Sleeping Hibiscus, Sleepy Mallow) These plants are widely cultivated as garden ornamentals, and are native to Mexico. The species forms a perennial shrub that can reach up to 13 feet tall at maturity. It produces red flowers that hang down from branches with stamens that stick out. Foliage is green. This species is considered invasive in several tropical and subtropical regions, including Hawaii, Florida, Bora Bora, and other scattered islands throughout the Caribbean. |
Caring for Malvaviscus
Keep the soil consistently moist, but ensure that there is no water pooling around the base. Apply mulch around the base of the plant to increase soil moisture retention. Fertilize with a balanced, slow-release feed once in springtime and again in the middle of summer.
Pruning is relatively straightforward, simply remove any errant, broken, or dead/diseased branches in late winter or early spring. If your shrub is becoming leggy, prune branches back by about a third at this time to encourage new, bushier growth to emerge during the growing season.
Plant Malvaviscus in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. In warmer areas, make sure these shrubs get some afternoon shade when temperatures are at their highest. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.8 and 7.2 (circumneutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two feels dry to the touch.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. In late winter or early spring, prune shrubs back heavily (to about 6 inches above the ground if the shrub has a lot of dieback from winter). These perennial plants are long-lived, fast-growing, and woody. They have a typical lifespan of between 10 and 30 years in the landscape if regularly pruned and cared for.
Caring for Malvaviscus in Containers
Malvaviscus shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Turk's Cap plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Pruning is relatively straightforward, simply remove any errant, broken, or dead/diseased branches in late winter or early spring. If your shrub is becoming leggy, prune branches back by about a third at this time to encourage new, bushier growth to emerge during the growing season.
Plant Malvaviscus in a space in the landscape that receives full sun; ideally, they appreciate between 6 and 8 hours of sun each day for the best blooms. When these flowers are grown in less light, they will not flower as profusely. In warmer areas, make sure these shrubs get some afternoon shade when temperatures are at their highest. Ensure that soil is well-draining, rich in nutrients, and has a pH of between 6.8 and 7.2 (circumneutral). If local soils are particularly poor in nutrients or do not drain well, make sure to amend the planting area with plenty of organic compost before installing. Apply a layer of mulch around the planting area to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water new plantings regularly as they establish a strong root system in their new home. At maturity, these plants perform well in consistently moist soils. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top inch or two feels dry to the touch.
Fertilize yearly in early springtime with an application of 2 inches of compost around the base of plants. Pull mulch back before applying, work the compost gently into the soil a bit, water it in, and then replace mulch. Pruning is simple; remove any damaged, diseased, or dead foliage at any time during the growing season. In late winter or early spring, prune shrubs back heavily (to about 6 inches above the ground if the shrub has a lot of dieback from winter). These perennial plants are long-lived, fast-growing, and woody. They have a typical lifespan of between 10 and 30 years in the landscape if regularly pruned and cared for.
Caring for Malvaviscus in Containers
Malvaviscus shrubs are wonderful in the ground, but can also be grown in containers. Choose a container that is at least a few inches wider and deeper than the nursery pot or root ball. Ensure that the pot has adequate drainage holes on the bottom to allow for excess water to flow away. Fill with a well-draining potting mix amended with organic material and perlite, and top with a layer of mulch to suppress weed growth, maintain consistent soil temperatures, and to increase soil moisture retention. Water regularly as the plant establishes itself in its new home. Once established, waterings can be lessened. Turk's Cap plants grown in containers will need more frequent irrigation than those grown in the ground. As a general rule of thumb, water whenever the top few inches of soil feels dry to the touch. Prune to remove dead, damaged, or diseased foliage at any time during the growing season. Every few years, check the bottom of the pot to ensure that the plant is not outgrowing its root space. If roots are growing through the drainage holes in the bottom of the container, it is a good indication that it needs to be potted up; choose a slightly larger container and repot.
Propagation
Turk's Cap is most easily propagated via cuttings taken in either spring or early summertime. To propagate your shrub, follow these instructions:
- Gather your materials. You'll need a clean, sanitized, sharp pair of garden shears, rooting hormone, a pencil, and a 3-inch pot filled with well-draining compost or other organic material. A good substrate for propagation of cuttings is a light blend of 1/3 pasteurized soil or compost, 1/3 sand, vermiculite or perlite, and 1/3 coconut coir or peat moss.
- In spring or early summertime, choose the plant that you'd like to propagate. Ensure that this plant has had a good watering the night before, as this will improve the chances your cutting will take root. Cut one or more 6 inch portion(s) of the end of a non-blooming branch and strip the leaves off of the lower half. Make a hole in your planting medium by pushing your pencil into the soil. Dip the end of the stem in rooting hormone, and plant it in your pot. Fill in soil around the cutting to support it, but do not pack it down too much.
- Moisten with water, and ensure that the pot has good drainage. Your pot should be kept in warm, sunny conditions indoors (and not in direct sunlight). Water whenever your soil is dry under the top layer. After about four to six weeks have passed, your cutting should be rooted. When you notice new growth, you'll know you have roots.
- Keep your new plant in an area with bright light (though not direct sunlight) and temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Ensure that the soil stays moist, but not wet, until the next spring, when you can transplant it to its new home. Ensure that the last frost of the year has occurred before doing this, as it can seriously damage your new shrub.
Problems and Pests
Certain Malvaviscus species are considered invasive in some regions; see the species descriptions above for more information. Check with local authorities before planting. Although these plants are considered pest and disease resistant, it is still a good practice to keep an eye out for common garden pests like:
- Aphids
- Whiteflies
- Spider Mites
Gallery
These shrubs are great candidates to plant in an area that you need quick foliage coverage; they have a moderate to rapid growth rate.
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The flowers on these shrubs are bright and will attract pollinators like hummingbirds and bees to your garden.
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Turk's Cap flowers are similar to those on Hibiscus shrubs, but they permanently stay in a closed position.
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Turk's Cap fruits are edible, tasting a bit like a bland apple with a slight sweetness.
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The flowers on these shrubs are followed by red fruit.
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Videos
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This shrub makes a beautiful understory plant.
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All about Turk's Cap.
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Resources
The New Sunset Western Garden Book: The Ultimate Gardening Guide (2012) - Page 433, Malvaviscus arboreus drummondii (Turk's Cap, Sleepy Hibiscus)
