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🚚 Shipping Update:
We’re now shipping nationwide across the continental U.S. again! 🌱
📦 Please note: Shipping to California remains paused due to agricultural regulations.
🌺 Red Cranberry Hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella) – Tropical Edible Beauty 🌿
Take your garden to the next level with our 1-gallon Red Cranberry Hibiscus — a more established plant that’s ready to explode with color and flavor. This edible hibiscus offers a bold combination of ornamental beauty and culinary delight, perfect for Florida landscapes, edible gardens, and container growing.
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Hibiscus acetosella |
| Plant Type | Edible perennial shrub |
| Size at Sale | Ships in a 1-gallon pot |
| Mature Height & Width | 3–6 ft tall, 2–3 ft wide when pruned |
| USDA Zones | 8–11 (annual in colder zones) |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to light shade |
| Cold Hardiness | Sensitive below 40°F |
| Growth Habit | Upright, bushy shrub with striking foliage |
| Spacing Requirements | 3–5 ft apart for hedges or beds |
🍃 Flavor & Edible Details
- Flavor Profile: Crisp, lemony, cranberry-like leaves with a tart finish.
- Best Use: Fresh in salads, wraps, or teas — its vibrant flavor shines raw or steeped.
- Harvest Season: Leaf harvest is continuous during warm months; most productive spring–fall in Florida and subtropics.
- Fruiting Habits: Leaves are the primary edible part; occasional hibiscus flowers appear in fall.
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
- Culinary Delight: Adds tangy zest to salads, teas, and tropical-inspired recipes.
- Nutrient-Rich: High in vitamin C and antioxidants, supporting overall wellness.
- Ornamental Value: Dark red foliage contrasts beautifully in gardens and food forests.
- Cultural Legacy: Widely used in African and Caribbean cuisines and herbal traditions, often brewed into refreshing teas.
- Pollinator Friendly: Flowers (when present) draw bees, butterflies, and beneficial insects.
🌼 Ornamental & Container Appeal
- Landscape Use: Bold foliage makes it ideal as a colorful hedge, edible border, or accent plant.
- Container Growing: Performs beautifully in 5–15 gallon pots. Larger pots = bigger, bushier plants.
- Indoor Growing: Can thrive indoors near a sunny window; rotate pots for balanced growth.
🌿 Best Practices for Planting & Care
Where to Plant:
Sunny to lightly shaded areas with rich, well-draining soil. Perfect for edible landscapes, raised beds, or decorative containers.
Planting Tips:
- Dig a hole the same depth as the pot, slightly wider.
- Backfill with compost and native soil.
- Plant “high & tight” — don’t bury the stem.
- See our High & Tight Planting Method Video.
Watering:
- Keep soil evenly moist — water daily at first, then 2–3 times per week as established.
- Increase frequency in hot or dry weather.
Mulching:
- Apply 2–3” hardwood mulch to retain moisture.
- Keep mulch a few inches away from the stem.
Pruning:
- Pinch or trim tips regularly to encourage bushiness.
- Annual cutbacks help maintain vigor.
Winter Care:
- Protect from frost in Zones 8–9 with frost cloths or move containers indoors.
- Grows as an annual in colder climates but can reseed naturally.
⚠️ Cautions
- Frost-sensitive; dies back below 32°F.
- Overwatering can cause root rot — ensure good drainage.
- Leaves are safe to eat but best enjoyed in moderation due to mild diuretic effect.
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal For:
- Home gardeners wanting a fast, established start
- Food forest designers and permaculture growers
- Culinary enthusiasts who love experimenting with tropical flavors
❌ Not Ideal For:
- Gardeners in cold zones without frost protection
- Growers unable to provide consistent watering
❓ FAQ
Q: How big will the 1-gallon plant get compared to the 4”?
A: The 1-gallon Red Cranberry Hibiscus is more established, often faster to establish in-ground or in containers, with quicker access to harvestable leaves.
Q: Can it survive frost?
A: No, it’s frost-sensitive. Protect in Zones 8–9 or grow as an annual in colder regions.
Q: Can I grow it indoors year-round?
A: Yes, if provided bright light and consistent watering. Great for sunny kitchens or sunrooms.
Q: How often should I prune?
A: Light pruning throughout the season encourages branching and leaf production.
📦 Shipping & Handling
- Ships in a 1-gallon container, a sturdier, faster-growing option than the 4”.
- Best suited for shipping to Florida, the Southeast, and Texas.
- Nationwide shipping available, but northern/western regions may experience transit stress. Recovery period may be needed.
- Heat/Cold Advisory: Buyer discretion recommended during extreme seasonal temperatures.
- We ship every Monday via UPS Ground from Florida.
🏡 Local Pickup
📍 Available for pickup at:
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
🌱 Come explore our collection in person!
🌟 Start Strong with a 1-Gallon Plant
Give your garden a head start with the 1-gallon Red Cranberry Hibiscus. Order now and enjoy zesty, edible leaves sooner from a more established plant! 🌺🌿
🪴 Size: Ships in a convenient 1 gallon pot, ready to flourish in your garden or indoor space.
🌞 Growing Zones: Thrives in hardiness zones 8-11, but it's suitable for patio or indoor cultivation wherever you are!
🌱 Growth Habits: This tall, upright perennial shrub boasts brightly colored edible leaves with a slightly tart-sweet lemony or cranberry flavor. A single plant can transform into a luscious edible bush, spanning up to 3 feet in width when pruned. It's a low-maintenance delight, with its primary need being consistent hydration. Add a touch of the tropics to your home or office, especially if you're in cooler climates! The Red Cranberry Hibiscus is not just beautiful; it's a conversation piece no home should be without.
🌿 Flavorful Foliage: Picture yourself savoring crisp leaves with a delightful lemony or cranberry twist. Ideal for salads or snacking in your garden oasis! 🥗🌱
🍽️ Culinary Delights: Elevate your culinary adventures with the Red Cranberry Hibiscus. These delectable leaves make a unique addition to salads, sandwiches, and more. Get creative with your kitchen creations! 🍴🍋
🌱 Fruiting Habits: While this hibiscus may not produce traditional fruits, its edible leaves are a year-round treat. Harvest as needed for your culinary escapades.
🌡️ Medicinal Uses & Applications: Traditionally, hibiscus leaves are known for their potential health benefits, including their role in herbal teas. They're rich in antioxidants and may support overall well-being.
🌺 Historical Roots: Hibiscus acetosella, also known as False Roselle and African Rosemallow, has a storied history in various cultures. Explore its significance and folklore as you cultivate this captivating plant.
🌿 Appeal of the Plant: The Red Cranberry Hibiscus boasts vibrant leaves that stand out in any garden or indoor setting. Its tall, upright form and textured foliage add visual interest to your space.
🌱 Ornamental Beauty: Beyond its edible allure, this hibiscus is an excellent ornamental addition to your landscaping. Its vibrant foliage adds a pop of color and texture to your outdoor oasis.
🌱 Best Practices: Plant in well-drained soil and provide full sun to light shade. Keep the soil consistently moist, as the Red Cranberry Hibiscus prefers not to dry out for extended periods.
🌿 Transplant Tips: When transplanting, ensure you don't plant too deep, and pack the soil carefully around the root ball to ensure proper growth.
🌿 Care Guide: Maintain organic practices, including heavy mulching with hardwood species, to promote a healthy and thriving Red Cranberry Hibiscus.
🏡 Indoor Gardening: While primarily an outdoor plant, you can bring a touch of tropical paradise indoors, provided it receives ample sunlight.
🌱 Ideal for:
- Gardening Enthusiasts seeking a unique, flavorful addition.
- Culinary Explorers looking to elevate their dishes.
- Those in hardiness zones 8-11 or anyone seeking a visually striking plant for their space.
🚫 Not Ideal for:
- Gardeners in extremely cold climates.
- Individuals with limited space, as it can grow to a height of 3-6 feet.
🌍 Join the GreenDreams Family: At GreenDreams, we're your trusted source for organic nursery plants, including the Red Cranberry Hibiscus. We ship anywhere in the continental US, bringing you the world's botanical treasures. 🌎🌿
🪴 Ready to elevate your garden with the Red Cranberry Hibiscus? Order yours today and embark on a flavorful journey right in your backyard or indoor oasis! 🌺🪴
IMPORTANT INFORMATION BEFORE PURCHASING LIVE PLANTS:
*Please be advised that our online store selections are NOT available for pickup at our retail location in Spring Hill, Florida.
Inventory for our online store is located at a separate facility and are priced and handled exclusively for packaging & shipping.
Click here to learn more about our Spring Hill, FL retail nursery location, including countless more nursery selections ready for pickup - larger sizes and wider variety of plants not suitable for nationwide delivery.
1. Shipping Stress: Transportation can be stressful for plants, particularly when they spend several days in a confined, dark environment. It’s common for plants to experience leaf drop during this period. Rest assured, most plants typically recover quickly and thrive with minimal aftercare. However, some may need extra attention, love, and care, requiring appropriate watering and exposure to gentle light post-unboxing.
2. Potential Physical Damage: Despite our dedicated efforts to ensure that your plants are securely packaged, they may incur damage during shipping and handling by UPS. Rest assured, our shipping team is committed to packing your selections with utmost care and precision to minimize any potential harm.
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For significant box damage, please reach out to UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
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For minor damages, such as a broken branch or stem, we advise allowing the plant time to recover and regenerate with proper care and attention.
3. Long-Distance Shipping Considerations: Orders shipped over long distances, particularly to the western US, may take 3 - 5 business days to arrive due to various factors, including agricultural inspections in Arizona, California, and Texas. Such extended transit times can be particularly challenging for tender, young plants, affecting their quality due to prolonged confinement.
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We take additional measures during packaging to facilitate a swift recovery of the plants upon unboxing.
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Initial extra care and attention might be required over the first few weeks post-transport.
For further guidance, kindly review our detailed policies on returns and refunds, as well as our comprehensive plant care guide. We appreciate your understanding and patience in nurturing your new plants.
🌿 Important Shipping Information
Please take a moment to review our shipping protocols designed to ensure your plants arrive in optimal condition.
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Countdown Clock: At the top of our online store, you'll notice a countdown clock. This tool helps communicate our weekly shipping schedule, providing clarity on when you can expect your orders to be dispatched.
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Shipping Schedule: Our nursery, located in the heart of Central Florida, ships orders once weekly, every Monday. This is a strategic decision to prevent packages from being stationary over the weekends, ensuring that our plants travel as swiftly as possible across the country, even reaching as far as California.
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Shipping Method: At present, we offer ground shipping rates to meet various needs while maintaining the well-being of our plants during transit.
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Our Dedicated Team: We are a boutique nursery with a passionate team. Our members wear many hats, contributing to shipping, nursery operations, and engaging in valuable local projects. As we blossom and expand, rest assured that enhancing and streamlining our processes remains a priority to serve you better
Terms and Conditions for Purchasing Live Plants
1. Understanding of Shipping Stress
By purchasing live plants from our store, the customer acknowledges that transportation can be stressful for plants. It is common for plants to undergo leaf drop or experience other temporary issues during shipping. However, it is understood that most plants recover quickly with adequate care and attention post-shipping.
2. Awareness of Potential Physical Damage
Customers acknowledge that despite our best efforts in packaging, there may be occurrences of damage during shipping and handling. For substantial damages to the package, customers agree to contact UPS within 30 days to initiate a claim.
3. Acknowledgement of Long-Distance Shipping Considerations
Customers recognize that shipments, especially those directed to the western US, may be subjected to longer shipping durations of 3-5 business days. Customers agree to provide necessary care to the plants, recognizing that the quality of the plants may be affected due to prolonged shipping times.
4. Agreement with Shipping Information and Schedule
Customers, by making a purchase, have reviewed and agreed upon our shipping protocols and schedules. They acknowledge the presence of a countdown clock on the website and our once-weekly shipping policy every Monday, recognizing the rationale behind avoiding weekend layovers for the plants.
5.Extreme Weather Conditions
Customers acknowledge that our store is not responsible for damage or loss of live plants due to extreme weather conditions during transit and delivery. This includes exposure to cold or freezing temperatures during the winter months and extreme heat during the summer. We provide tracking information when orders are processed every Monday to ensure customers are aware of the delivery schedule. It is the customer's responsibility to prevent packages from being left outside in conditions that may cause damage. Our store does not accept responsibility for any adverse effects caused by weather conditions beyond our control.
6. No Refund Policy
Customers agree that refunds are only processed under exceptional circumstances. Our store will not be held responsible for poor plant choices relative to location suitability, extreme conditions during and/or post-shipment, and improper post-purchase plant care.
7. Responsibility of Care
Upon purchase, customers agree to assume full responsibility for the ongoing care of the plants. This includes, but is not limited to, appropriate watering, exposure to suitable light, and adherence to specific care instructions pertinent to each plant type.
8. Consent
By proceeding with this purchase, customers consent to all the terms and conditions stated above, confirming understanding and agreement to all stipulations mentioned.
These terms and conditions aim to ensure clarity, mutual understanding, and agreement between the seller and the customer to facilitate a smooth transaction and foster a positive customer experience.
