For many reasons, the beloved cotton rose is a symbolic flower for the south. Who wouldn’t want a flower like this? Although there are many forms, single or double flowers, the classic version looks like showy blooms, 3 to 5 inches wide, appearing in fall. They often open white and fade to dark pink as they age. You’ll often see all three colors on the same plant. Cool, yes?

Originating in China, the cotton rose technically isn’t a rose but a species of hibiscus (Hibiscus mutabilis). It’s also known as the Confederate rose because, according to legend, the flowers soaked up the blood spilled on battlefields during the Civil War.

Some folks call the plant “cotton rose” because its leaves resemble cotton foliage, and the round flower buds remind them of cotton bolls. This naming makes sense because cotton and cotton rose both belong to the mallow family, the Malvaceae.

In places that rarely feel frost, cotton rose can get huge, even to the extreme of being 30 feet tall. Imagine something like that loaded with multi-colored flowers late into the year! And where it doesn’t get too cold, it keeps on blooming through the fall.

In north-central Alabama, the cotton rose becomes a large, multi-trunked shrub about 8 feet tall. It freezes to the ground in winter and then comes back up. This plant thrives in USDA zones 7-11, where it can grow tall and treelike.

Plant Attributes

Cotton Rose Care

After planting and watering during the growing season, the cotton rose does not require much maintenance. It thrives best in areas that don’t get too cold or humid, but maintaining soil moisture is the most significant factor. These plants are also deer-resistant, so continued care is moderate.

Light

Cotton rose prefers full sun. Try planting cotton roses in an area with at least six hours of direct sunlight. Areas with less sunlight will still produce blooms, but they might not flower as much as areas with full sun.

Soil

Cotton rose needs moist, fertile soil, but it will tolerate less ideal conditions. When planting a cotton rose, choose neutral to slightly alkaline soil, but ensure it is rich in organic matter.

Water

Cotton rose plants should have proper drainage and thrive best in moist soil, but some can survive periods of drought. Maintain moist soil throughout the year—even in winter. As long as the soil does not completely dry out, especially the top two inches, a moderate amount of watering should be enough for this plant. Too much watering can cause disease, such as fungal growth.

Temperature and Humidity

Cotton rose will lose it’s leaves and die back after a hard frost. Wait until later winter or early spring to prune, which will help stimulate new growth in the spring. In warmer coastal areas, it may overwinter.

Fertilizer

Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer in the spring.

Types of Cotton Rose

Cotton rose varieties can have white, pink, and red blooms, and sometimes all these colors can appear on the same plant.

• Hibiscus mutabilis ‘Coton Rose Nagoya’ has white flowers.
• Hibiscus mutabilis ‘Tri-Color’ changes color from white, to pink, to deep pink within a few days, and the three colors can appear on the plant at the same time. It grows up to 15 feet high and up to 12 feet wide.
• Hibiscus mutabilis ‘Plenus’ has 4- to 6-inch wide, double pink flowers. The blooms start out white and turn pink within the day. It grows up to 15 feet high to 12 feet wide.
• Hibiscus mutabilis ‘Rubrum’ has 6 inch wide, deep pink to red flowers with yellow centers, and large green heart-shaped leaves, and grows 7 feet tall and 4 feet wide.

Pruning

You will not need extensive pruning. An annual shearing of dead branches to promote new growth should be enough. If your cotton rose bush becomes unsightly, you can cut diseased or dead branches to the ground as fresh sprouts will take their place.

Propagating Cotton Rose

It’s a favorite Southern pass-along plant since its growth makes it easy to do. You can sow seeds in spring, but the easiest way to propagate them is to place root cuttings in water.  Here’s how:

1. You will need hand pruning shears and a clear vessel, which will allow you to see progress as the roots form.
2. It’s easiest to take cuttings in the spring, but summer or early fall will also work.
3. Using hand pruning shears, cut a 12 inch section of a stem with a leaf node and remove all but the top two leaves.
4. Place this segment in a container of water, submerging the leaf node, and place in a warm spot with bright, indirect light.
5. Once roots develop, in about 8 weeks, pot the plant in soil, and place in a sunny location until ready to plant outdoors.
6. After the last frost of spring has passed, plant outside.

How to Grow Cotton Rose From Seed

Cotton rose seeds need to be scarified before they can germinate. Here’s how to grow cotton rose by seed:

1. First, scarify the seeds by gently nicking the seed coat with a knife or by rubbing with a nail file, but be careful not to damage the inner seed.
2. Soak the nicked seeds in warm water for 24 hours.
3. Fill seed starting pots with well draining, seed-starting potting soil, and press seeds into the soil without burying them.
4. Keep seeds in a warm spot (70 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit) with the soil evenly moist but not wet.
5. Once the roots have developed and the seedings have a few sets of leaves, they can be planted outdoors in bigger pots or in the ground after the last frost has past in the spring.

Overwintering

If growing in pots, bring cotton rose into a unheated space like a garage or shed when temperatures drop below 20 degrees Fahrenheit. While dormant, reduce watering and keep in low light. Move it back outdoors once the last frost has passed in the spring.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Use mild insecticidal soap to prevent garden pests, like aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and others. If you see fungal growth on the leaves because of over-watering or pests, remove the stems and any leaves turning yellow. The key to maintaining a healthy plant is proper watering—not too much or too little.

How to Get Cotton Rose to Bloom

Cotton roses have 4- to 6-inch wide flowers that come in white and light and dark shades of pink, sometimes on the same plant, which bloom in late summer through the fall. Their fluffy flowers can be single or double form depending on the variety, but they have no scent. Cotton roses attracts butterflies, hummingbirds, and other pollinators. Deadhead spent flowers, before they turn into fuzzy capsules, to encourage more blooms. It will flower more if planted in full sun.

Common Problems With Cotton Rose

Cotton rose is a low maintenance, easy-to-care for shrub once established, which is why it’s such a popular pass-along plant. However, issues can crop up, especially if it’s watered too much or too little.

Curling Leaves

If the plant has curling or dry leaves, it may not be getting enough water. Water in the morning when temperatures are cooler and keep the soil moist but not overly wet.

Leaves Turning Yellow

If the leaves and new growth are turning yellow, the plant could be under watered, overwatered, over fertilized, or under heat stress. Check the soil to make sure it’s evenly moist, especially during hot spells, while a balanced, slow-release fertilizer will prevent burn.

Drooping Leaves

If the plant has drooping or wilting leaves, it may need more water—give it a good watering, and it should spring back up.

Plant Leaves Falling Off

If leaves are turning yellow and dropping off, it could be whiteflies. Spray the leaves with neem oil or a mild insecticidal soap.