Chinese Lantern Hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus): Fringed Petals & Pendulous Blooms

Hibiscus schizopetalus, known as Chinese Lanterns, Japanese Lanterns, or Fringed Rosemallow, is a unique hibiscus species with deeply cut, reflexed, red petals that hang like lanterns from long, arching pedicels. It's a graceful, weeping shrub.

Botanical Profile

Culture & Elegance

Native to tropical East Africa (Kenya, Tanzania), this shrub grows 6–10 feet tall with slender, arching branches. The leaves are small, ovate. The flowers are 2–3 inches long, with petals deeply incised and curled backward, hanging downward—resembling Japanese lanterns. Color is typically red, but pink and white forms exist.

It prefers full sun to part shade, well-drained soil, and regular moisture. Hardy in zones 10–11; in cooler zones, a container plant for overwintering. Prune to maintain shape. A distinctive, elegant hibiscus for tropical and subtropical gardens, offering a different silhouette than the standard hibiscus.