Pollinator plant

Rose Of Sharon

Hibiscus syriacus

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Common names

52 names · 31 languages
EnglishYour language
  • Althaea
  • common hibiscus[2][4]
  • Hardy Hibiscus
+5 more namesShow fewer names
Other languages (30)
Dutch
  • Althaeastruik
  • Altheaboompje
  • Altheastruik[2][4]
+1 more nameShow fewer names
French
Arabic
  • خطمي سوري[4]
  • خطمية شجرية[4]
Basque
  • Siriako arrosa[4]
Bulgarian
  • Дървовидна ружа[4]
Catalan
  • Hibisc de Síria[4]
  • Malva reial[4]
Chinese (Simplified)
Chinese (Traditional)
Czech
  • ibišek syrský[4]
Danish
  • Syrisk Rose[4]
Estonian
  • süüria hibisk[4]
Finnish
  • sinihibiskus[4]
German
+2 more namesShow fewer names
Greek
  • Αλθαία[4]
  • Ιβίσκος ο συριακός[4]
Hungarian
  • szíriai mályvacserje[4]
Italian
Japanese
Korean
Lithuanian
  • Sirinė kinrožė[4]
Polish
  • ketmia syryjska[4]
Portuguese
Russian
  • Гибискус сирийский[4]
Serbian
  • Sibirski hibiskus[4]
  • Сиријски хибискус[4]
Slovak
  • ibištek krovitý[4]
Spanish
Swedish
  • frilandshibiskus[4]
Thai
  • ชบาจีน[4]
Tseltal
Turkish
  • ağaç hatmi[4]
Ukrainian
  • Гібіск сирійський[4]
Sources & name notes (4)

Names recorded in our plant catalogue and botanical sources, grouped by language. Usage can vary by region.

Numbered references identify names recorded by an external source. Other names are from our plant catalogue.

[1] Hibiscus syriacus — Plant Toolbox common names ↗

NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox; English common names in a United States horticultural reference.

Source records
  • Rose of Sharon — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(3); heading: Common Name(s):; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Shrub Althea — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(5); heading: Common Name(s):; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Hibiscus — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(1); heading: Common Name(s):; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Rose of China — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(2); heading: Common Name(s):; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Rose-of-Sharon — ul#common_names > li:nth-of-type(4); heading: Common Name(s):; Hibiscus syriacus.
[2] Hibiscus syriacus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy. This is a common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Rose of Sharon — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Altheastruik — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Tuinhibiscus — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Althéa — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Garten-Hibiskus — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Gartenhibiskus — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Straucheibisch — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Syrischer Roseneibisch — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • common hibiscus — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Altea — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • rosa de Siria — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • tulipán chino — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Ibisco cinese — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Ibisco siriaco — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Rosa-da-Síria — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
[3] Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20 — Hibiscus syriacus ↗

Common names from World Plants, version 26.05, reproduced in Catalogue of Life 2026-08-20. License: CC BY.

Source records
  • Rose of Sharon (EN); Freiland-Roseneibisch (DE) — VernacularName.tsv, line 164052; taxon 3LKBM.
[4] Hibiscus syriacus — iNaturalist taxon names ↗

Community-curated iNaturalist taxonomy; common-name attestation, not an independent botanical determination.

Source records
  • Rose of Sharon — results[0].names[34]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Altheastruik — results[0].names[28]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Tuinhibiscus — results[0].names[29]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Althéa — results[0].names[2]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Garten-Hibiskus — results[0].names[17]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Gartenhibiskus — results[0].names[18]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Straucheibisch — results[0].names[14]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Syrischer Roseneibisch — results[0].names[19]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • common hibiscus — results[0].names[1]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Altea — results[0].names[40]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • rosa de Siria — results[0].names[6]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • tulipán chino — results[0].names[4]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Ibisco cinese — results[0].names[24]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Ibisco siriaco — results[0].names[23]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Rosa-da-Síria — results[0].names[13]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Tulipán — results[0].names[3]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • ムクゲ — results[0].names[5]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • ibišek syrský — results[0].names[7]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • 木槿 — results[0].names[8]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • 무궁화 — results[0].names[9]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • süüria hibisk — results[0].names[10]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Гибискус сирийский — results[0].names[11]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Syrisk Rose — results[0].names[12]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Ιβίσκος ο συριακός — results[0].names[15]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Αλθαία — results[0].names[16]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • frilandshibiskus — results[0].names[20]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • 木槿 — results[0].names[21]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • ağaç hatmi — results[0].names[22]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Sirinė kinrožė — results[0].names[25]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • ชบาจีน — results[0].names[26]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • ketmia syryjska — results[0].names[27]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • خطمي سوري — results[0].names[30]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • خطمية شجرية — results[0].names[31]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Дървовидна ружа — results[0].names[32]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Гібіск сирійський — results[0].names[33]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • szíriai mályvacserje — results[0].names[35]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Сиријски хибискус — results[0].names[36]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Sibirski hibiskus — results[0].names[37]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Malva reial — results[0].names[38]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Hibisc de Síria — results[0].names[39]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • ibištek krovitý — results[0].names[41]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • sinihibiskus — results[0].names[42]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
  • Siriako arrosa — results[0].names[43]; taxon id 126585; Hibiscus syriacus.
Plant references

Source-backed information

Published observations for this plant. Each reference supports the information beside it.

Taxonomy
Hibiscus syriacus is an accepted species in Catalogue of Life.

Taxonomic treatment in the August 2026 release; the catalogue record name is preserved.

Sources [1]
Botanical family
Malvaceae

Family in the cited taxonomic treatment.

Sources [1]
Mature height
2.44–3.66 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Mature spread
1.83–3.05 m

NC State Extension profile. Converted from the source range in feet and inches; mature size varies with growing conditions.

Sources [2]
Plant habit
Erect; Multi-stemmed

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Growth rate
Rapid

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Foliage
Deciduous

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Light
Full sun (6 or more hours of direct sunlight a day); Partial Shade (Direct sunlight only part of the day, 2-6 hours)

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Moisture and drainage
Good Drainage; Moist; Occasionally Dry; Occasionally Wet

NC State Extension profile.

Sources [2]
Flowering season
Spring; Summer

NC State Extension profile. Seasons reflect the source region and do not verify the catalogue’s exact flowering months.

Sources [2]
Reported wildlife attraction
Listed as attracting: butterflies, hummingbirds, pollinators, specialized bees.

NC State Extension profile. Broad wildlife categories; this does not establish flower visits by a named bee species or quantify nectar and pollen.

Sources [2]
Native range
S. China, Taiwan.

Explicit native locality records in Kew WCVP v16; introduced and doubtful distributions excluded. Continent conversion follows the documented geographic mapping.

Sources [3]
Catalogue ratings

Who this plant supports

Honey bees

Low suitability
Nectar value Low
Pollen value Low
Agroforestry database

Complete plant information

Open full plant profile

Structure

Vegetation layer
Shrub
Size
Medium
Dimensions
3.00 m high × 2.00 m wide
Growth rate
Moderate
Lifecycle
Perennial
Foliage
Evergreen

Site conditions

USDA hardiness
5-9
Moisture
Moist
Soil
Sandy, Loamy, Clay
pH
Acid, Neutral, Alkaline
Light
Partial shade, Sun

Uses

Edible parts
Flowers, Leaves, Oil, Root, Tea
Edibility
4 out of 5
Medicinal value
2 out of 5

Young leaves can be eaten both raw and cooked. They have a mild flavor, though they are somewhat tough, but they make a great addition to salads. Tea can be made from the leaves and flowers. Flowers are also suitable for eating raw or cooked; they have a mild flavor and a soft, slimy texture, which makes them appealing in salads. The roots are edible but fibrous and have a rather bland taste, more on the slimy side.

Sources and references

References for the information marked with source numbers on this page.

Sources checked
  1. Catalogue of Life Hibiscus syriacus — Catalogue of Life COL26.8

    COL26.8 (2026-08-20). Contributing checklist: Synonymic Checklists of the Vascular Plants of the World. This is taxonomic evidence, not an independent ecological study.

    Supports: TaxonomyBotanical family
    Relevant sections
    • Taxonomy: NameUsage.tsv line 366165; ID 3LKBM; rank species; status accepted
    • Botanical family: NameUsage.tsv line 366165; ID 3LKBM; rank species; status accepted

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 4.0.

  2. NC State Extension Hibiscus syriacus — Plant Toolbox

    NC State Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox. Growing conditions and seasons reflect its United States horticultural context.

    Supports: Mature heightMature spreadPlant habitGrowth rateFoliageLightMoisture and drainageFlowering seasonReported wildlife attraction
    Relevant sections
    • Mature height: Dimensions / Height
    • Mature spread: Dimensions / Width
    • Plant habit: Habit/Form
    • Growth rate: Growth Rate
    • Foliage: Woody Plant Leaf Characteristics
    • Light: Light
    • Moisture and drainage: Soil Drainage
    • Flowering season: Flower Bloom Time
    • Reported wildlife attraction: Attracts

    Source checked on .

  3. Royal Botanic Gardens, Kew Hibiscus syriacus — Kew WCVP native distribution

    Native distribution and taxonomic treatment from the official WCVP v16 export (4 June 2026). The link opens the corresponding POWO taxon. Source rows are retained in the native-range audit archive.

    Supports: Native range
    Relevant sections
    • Native range: WCVP v16; wcvp_names.csv lines 1409506; wcvp_distribution.csv native locality lines 1436810, 1436811, 1436814

    Source checked on .

    Source data licence: CC BY 3.0.