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Shipping nationwide across the continental U.S.! 🌱
📦 Shipping to California has officially resumed!!
🌺 Red Cranberry Hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella) – 1-Gallon Tropical Edible Beauty 🌿
Add a burst of red foliage and zesty flavor to your landscape with our 1-gallon Red Cranberry Hibiscus. Larger and more established than our 4” starter size, this vibrant edible hibiscus is ready to make an instant impact in your garden. Perfect for hedges, edible landscapes, and pollinator beds, it’s both a feast for the eyes and a flavorful treat for the kitchen.
🌿 Quick Facts
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Botanical Name | Hibiscus acetosella |
| Plant Type | Edible perennial sub-shrub (grown as warm-season annual where frosty) |
| Sale Size (Ships) | 1-gallon pot (well-established starter shrub) |
| Mature Height & Width | 3–6+ ft tall, 2–3 ft wide with pruning; 3–5 ft × ~2.5 ft typical in one season |
| USDA Zones | 8–11 (dies back or grown as annual in colder zones) |
| Sun Requirements | Full sun to light shade (best color & density in full sun) |
| Cold Hardiness | Tender below ~40°F; freeze kills top growth |
| Growth Habit | Upright, bushy; pinch or prune for dense foliage |
| Spacing | 3–5 ft apart for hedges or mixed beds |
🍃 Flavor & Edible Details
- Flavor profile: Young leaves have a crisp, lemony, cranberry-like tang with a refreshing tartness.
- Kitchen uses: Adds zing to salads, wraps, and drinks; leaves can be brewed for herbal teas similar to roselle.
- Nutritional notes: Packed with anthocyanins and antioxidants that lend the leaves their deep burgundy hue.
Harvest window: In Florida and other warm regions, pick fresh leaves year-round. In cooler areas, harvest during the growing season before frost.
🌱 Top Benefits & Uses
- Culinary Star: Brightens dishes and herbal teas with a citrusy twist.
- Nutritional Powerhouse: High in antioxidants and vitamin C.
- Ornamental Charm: Deep crimson foliage adds drama and contrast in edible gardens.
- Cultural Heritage: Also known as African rosemallow or false roselle, this plant has long been cherished in African and Caribbean cuisines.
- Pollinator Friendly: Late-season blooms support butterflies and bees.
🪴 Ornamental & Container Appeal
- Landscape Uses: Perfect for colorful borders, hedges, and food forest understories. Adds tropical appeal and pairs beautifully with bright greens and yellows.
- Containers: Thrives in 5–10 gallon pots when given full sun and consistent moisture.
- Indoor Growing: Can be overwintered indoors near a sunny window; prune lightly and water sparingly.
🌿 Best Practices for Planting & Care
Where to plant: Choose a sunny to lightly shaded area with fertile, well-drained soil. Avoid low, soggy areas.
Planting method:
- Dig a hole just as wide as the pot and at the same depth.
- Set the plant “High & Tight”—slightly above soil level with firm backfill.
- Amend with compost and minerals before watering deeply.
- Watch our High & Tight planting demo for best results:👉 https://youtu.be/RRQFY30qdA8?si=rRIcsbLlVAVYotfI
Watering: Water daily for the first week, then 2–3 times weekly as the plant establishes. Increase frequency during heat or drought.
Mulching: Apply 2–3" of hardwood mulch to retain moisture, keeping mulch several inches away from the stem.
Pruning:
- Pinch tips regularly for bushier growth and tender new leaves.
- Perform heavier pruning in spring; avoid heavy cutting midsummer if blooms are desired.
Winter care (Florida & similar climates):
- Zones 8–9: Protect from frost using fabric or move containers indoors.
- Zones 10–11: Semi-evergreen; prune to shape and refresh growth.
🌾 Companion & Support Guild Ideas
- Fertility boosters: Mexican Sunflower (Tithonia diversifolia), Pigeon Pea (Cajanus cajan), Vetiver (Chrysopogon zizanioides).
- Pollinator allies: Firebush (Hamelia patens), Blue Porterweed (Stachytarpheta jamaicensis), African Blue Basil.
- Aesthetic complements: Lime-green or variegated plants for contrast—try Pineapple Sage or Variegated Cuban Oregano.
- Container companions: Thai Basil, Lemongrass, and Marigolds enhance both beauty and pest control.
⚠️ Cautions
- Cold sensitivity: Protect from frost—dies back below 32°F.
- Edibility note: Contains oxalic acid (like sorrel or spinach); safe in moderation and when cooked.
- Watering note: Avoid standing water to prevent root rot.
🌟 Is This Plant Right for You?
✅ Ideal for:
Gardeners seeking a fast, colorful edible shrub that’s easy to grow and packed with flavor. Perfect for Florida and other warm, humid climates.
❌ Not ideal for:
Colder zones without protection or gardeners unable to provide consistent sunlight and watering.
❓ FAQ (SEO-Focused)
Q: What’s the difference between Cranberry Hibiscus and Roselle?
A: Cranberry Hibiscus (Hibiscus acetosella) is grown for its tart, colorful leaves, while Roselle (H. sabdariffa) is grown for its fleshy red calyces used in teas and jams.
Q: How fast will my 1-gallon plant grow?
A: Very fast! Expect up to 3–5 ft of growth in one season with regular watering and sun exposure.
Q: Can I keep it in a container year-round?
A: Yes, in a 5–10 gallon pot. Move indoors before frost and prune back lightly for compact growth.
Q: When can I start harvesting?
A: You can begin picking leaves within a few weeks of planting. Frequent harvesting encourages new, tender growth.
🌿 Troubleshooting Guide
- Pale or yellow leaves: Overwatering or nutrient deficiency. Improve drainage and feed with compost or organic fertilizer.
- Leggy growth: Not enough sun or pruning. Relocate to full sun and pinch regularly.
- Pests (aphids, mites, whiteflies): Spray with neem or insecticidal soap; encourage ladybugs.
- Leaf scorch: Heat stress—add mulch and maintain watering schedule.
📦 Shipping & Handling
- Ships in a 1-gallon container. Ideal for Florida, the Southeast, and Texas.
- Nationwide shipping available via UPS Ground on Mondays from Florida.
- Weather disclaimer: Buyer discretion advised during peak heat or cold. Plants shipped to northern or western regions may need recovery time upon arrival.
🏡 Local Pickup
GreenDreams Nursery & Farm
18709 US Hwy. 41, Spring Hill, FL 34610
Tues–Fri 9AM–5PM | Sat 8AM–3PM
🌿 Come see what’s fresh and flourishing in person!
🌟 Bring Color & Flavor to Your Garden
Want a faster start and instant impact? Choose our 1-gallon Red Cranberry Hibiscus and watch your landscape explode with tropical color and edible beauty. Order today and enjoy harvests within weeks! 🌺🌱
🌿 Beyond the Plant: GreenDreams Services
At GreenDreams, we do more than grow plants — we design, build, and restore ecosystems across Florida.
- 🌳 Onsite consultations & edible landscape design
- 🏗️ Installation & project management
- 🚚 Bulk delivery of compost, mulch, biochar, and soil materials
- 🌾 Wholesale & large-scale regenerative solutions
Let our team help you create your own thriving edible paradise — starting with Red Cranberry Hibiscus! 🌿
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.
