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Tropical hibiscus and Kokiʻo ʻula: growing conditions and wildlife benefits.

COMMON CHOICE Tropical hibiscus Hibiscus rosa-sinensis	NATIVE ALTERNATIVE Kokiʻo ʻula Hibiscus kokio
	GO NATIVE
Native range
Asia	Hawaiian native range: Kauaʻi, Oʻahu, Molokaʻi, Maui, Hawaiʻi.See state guides
Sunlight
Full sun to part shade	Full sun
Soil moisture
Moist, well-drained soil	Dry soil
Mature height
4–10 ft	2–30+ ft, by form
Mature spread
5–8 ft	Spread not specified
USDA hardiness zones
9–11	Choose by island, elevation, and rainfall.
Season of interest
Spring–fall	Year-round flowers
Garden & wildlife value
Flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies.	Native red hibiscus keeps the bold tropical flowers while restoring a Hawaiian species.
Growing notes
An evergreen tropical shrub. In colder climates it needs a container and frost-free winter protection.	Ask for a nursery-propagated, island-appropriate form; mature size varies greatly, and more sun improves flowering.
Growing information	Growing information

Sizes describe the species; individual cultivars can differ.