Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Chinese Hibiscus, Tropical Hibiscus, China Rose, Hawaiian Hibiscus

Colour

red, pink, orange, yellow, white, and multicolored varieties

Varieties

Message of the Flower

Agni

The Mother’s Comment

The flame of purification which ought to precede all contact with the invisible worlds.

Colour

Light salmon pink, red

Message of the Flower

Ananda

The Mother’s Comment

Calm, tranquil, equal, smiling, and very sweet in its truly simple austerity.

Colour

Cream, pure white

Message of the Flower

Ananda in the Physical

The Mother’s Comment

May it be welcome, even if it manifests itself rarely.

Colour

Cream, deep red, pure white

Message of the Flower

Individual Power

The Mother’s Comment

Limited in its capacity and action.

Colour

Magenta

Message of the Flower

Enlightened Individual Power

The Mother’s Comment

Limited in its action, but of a very high capacity.

Colour

Coral pink, intense red, cream

Message of the Flower

Power of the Psychic Consciousness

The Mother’s Comment

Psychic power organises the activities of the nature to make them progress.

Colour

Bright rose-pink, deep red

Message of the Flower

Psychic Power in Existence

The Mother’s Comment

Manifold, imperious, irresistible in its understanding sweetness.

Colour

Light pink to lilac pink, deep red

Message of the Flower

Mentalised Power

The Mother’s Comment

Power becomes utilisable.

Colour

Lemon-yellow, bright red or maroon

Message of the Flower

Power in the Converted Mind

The Mother’s Comment

When the mind turns towards the Divine it becomes a powerful instrument.

Colour

Bright ochre yellow

Message of the Flower

Sweetness of Power Surrendered to the Divine (Sweetness of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

Sweetness itself becomes powerful when it is at the service of the Divine.

Colour

Light gold to apricot yellow, white to light pink

Message of the Flower

Light of the Purified Power

The Mother’s Comment

Irresistibly simple in its power consecrated solely to the Divine.

Colour

Milk white, bright orange

Message of the Flower

Power of Integral Purity

The Mother’s Comment

The power of accepting only the Divine influence.

Colour

White, bright red or vermilion

Message of the Flower

Power of Harmony

The Mother’s Comment

Simple, noble, dignified, powerful, and charming.

Colour

Bright golden-yellow or light yellow, and pink, light or deep red, or light orange

Message of the Flower

Aesthetic Power

The Mother’s Comment

Beauty is a great power.

Colour

Reddish-pink, dark red, white

Message of the Flower

Dynamic Power

The Mother’s Comment

Indispensable for progress.

Colour

Light to medium red

Message of the Flower

Controlled Power

Colour

Grey lavender

Message of the Flower

Power of Action

The Mother’s Comment

The power resulting from true surrender to the Divine.

Colour

Bright cardinal red, reddish-purple

Message of the Flower

Power of Consciousness

The Mother’s Comment

All the powers of controlling and governing the lower movements of inconscient nature.

Colour

Raspberry pink to crimson

Message of the Flower

Power of Perseverance (Continued Perseverance and Action)

The Mother’s Comment

The perseverance that overcomes all obstacles.

Colour

Orange to red orange, rose, deep red

Message of the Flower

Power of Effort (Effort of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

Efforts well-directed break down all obstacles.

Colour

Grey lavender to deep lavender, magenta purple

Message of the Flower

Power of Progress

The Mother’s Comment

Power is the sign of the Divine influence in creation.

Colour

Pink to light red or reddish-orange, crimson pink, white to lavender pink

Message of the Flower

Power to Progress

The Mother’s Comment

Precious because it is rare, it must be cultivated with care.

Colour

Cream white, deep pink, orange

Message of the Flower

Power of Success (Success of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

The power of those who know how to continue their effort.

Colour

Cream white, deep rose pink or magenta

Message of the Flower

Power of Realisation

The Mother’s Comment

With realisation all obstacles will be overcome.

Colour

Bright orange red, yellow orange, grey lavender

Message of the Flower

Power of the Future

The Mother’s Comment

To be capable of working for the future.

Colour

Deep red or deep magenta

Message of the Flower

Power in Service of the Future

The Mother’s Comment

Without haste, but sure of its success.

Colour

Bright magenta

Message of the Flower

Power of the Supramental Consciousness

The Mother’s Comment

Organising and active, irresistible in its influence.

Colour

Deep gold to apricot, red or deep orange

Message of the Flower

Effective Power of the Supermind

The Mother’s Comment

All-powerful, it imposes itself on all in the certitude of its knowledge.

Colour

Deep pink to light orange

Message of the Flower

Manifold Power of the New Creation (Manifold Power of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

The new creation will be rich in possibilities.

Colour

Bright red or orange red, white, cream yellow to light gold

Message of the Flower

Power of Spiritual Beauty (Spiritual Beauty of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

Spiritual beauty has a contagious power.

Colour

Salmon orange to golden yellow, deep magenta, silver white

Message of the Flower

Faith

The Mother’s Comment

You flame up and triumph.

Colour

Red, white

Message of the Flower

Supramental Beauty in the Physical

The Mother’s Comment

Its promise is charming.

Colour

Light golden orange, deep red, or deep salmon pink to cream yellow

Message of the Flower

Beauty of Supramental Love (Flower of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

It invites us to live at its height

Colour

Salmon pink, pink, yellow

Message of the Flower

Beauty of Supramental Youth

The Mother’s Comment

Exquisite in its freshness, powerful in its undeniable beauty.

Colour

Salmon orange, pale yellow, red

Message of the Flower

Beauty of the New Creation (Beauty of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

The new creation strives to better manifest the Divine.

Colour

Crimson pink to pale pink, dark red

Message of the Flower

Beauty of Tomorrow

The Mother’s Comment

The beauty that will express Divine Power.

Colour

Light or bright orange shades

Message of the Flower

Beauty of Tomorrow Manifesting the Divine

The Mother’s Comment

A beauty that exists only by and for the Divine.

Colour

White, pale pink, shades of orange

Message of the Flower

Victorious Beauty

The Mother’s Comment

When it has removed the ugliness of life.

Colour

Golden ochre to mustard, deep red or vermilion, silver grey or pale lavender

Message of the Flower

Blossoming of the New Creation (Blossoming of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

The more we concentrate on the goal, the more it blossoms forth and becomes precise.

Colour

Bright orange or bright yellow, fire red

Message of the Flower

Charm of the New Creation (Charm of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

The New Creation is attractive to all those who want to progress.

Colour

Light pink, white to dark pink

Message of the Flower

Concentration of the New Creation (Concentration of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

Concentration on a precise goal is helpful to development.

Colour

Yellow, orange, red orange, light yellow

Message of the Flower

Firmness of the New Creation (Firmness of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

The new creation wants to be steadfast in its manifestation.

Colour

Yellow, orange, yellow, deep red or bright pink, or bright red to grey lavender

Message of the Flower

Ideal of the New Creation (Ideal of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

The ideal should be progressive so that it can be realised in the future.

Colour

Violet, mauve, white

Message of the Flower

Progress of the New Creation (Progress of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

Each must find the activity favourable to his progress.

Colour

Yellow, reddish-orange

Message of the Flower

Realisation of the New Creation (Realisation of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

It is for this that we must prepare.

Colour

Lemon or bright yellow, white, pink

Message of the Flower

Usefulness of the New Creation (Usefulness of Auroville)

The Mother’s Comment

A creation which aims at teaching men to surpass themselves.

Colour

Deep pink, reddish-pink

Message of the Flower

Consciousness One with the Divine Consciousness

The Mother’s Comment

Smiling and happy, it no longer knows any shadows.

Colour

Light to deep pink, dark red, cream

Message of the Flower

Supramental Consciousness

The Mother’s Comment

Gloriously awake and powerful. Luminous, sure of itself, infallible in its movements.

Colour

Bright yellow or golden yellow, red

Message of the Flower

Will in the Course of Uniting itself with the Divine Will

The Mother’s Comment

On the way to perfection.

Colour

Cream white

Message of the Flower

Godhead

The Mother’s Comment

Pure and perfect, puts forth its force in the world.

Colour

Shell white or pale yellow gold, pink, golden

Family

Malvaceae

Cultivars

Numerous, including 'Brilliant', 'Double Red', 'Snow Queen', and many others with various flower colors and forms

Person who named the flower

Carl Linnaeus

Flower Size

Large, typically 4-6 inches in diameter

Flower Texture

Smooth and sometimes slightly ruffled

Number of Petals

Five is common in single varieties; double varieties have numerous overlapping petals

Floral Symmetry

Radially symmetrical

Fragrance of Flower

Some varieties are fragrant; others have little to no scent

Leaf Texture

Glossy and smooth

Leaf Arrangement

Alternate

Leaf Color

Dark green

Structural Variation (Shrub or Tree)

Bushy shrub; can be trained as a small tree

Life Cycle

Perennial in tropical climates; often grown as an annual in temperate zones

Blooming Period

Repeated blooming throughout the year in tropical climates; summer in temperate areas

Climate

Prefers tropical to subtropical climates; sensitive to frost

Water Requirements

Moderate; requires well-drained soil

Soil Type

Prefers fertile, well-drained soils

Temperature Ranges

Best in warm to hot conditions

Sun or Shade

Full sun for optimal flowering; can tolerate partial shade

Susceptibility to Insects and Diseases

Susceptible to pests like aphids and spider mites; prone to fungal diseases in humid conditions

Pollinators

Attracts bees, butterflies, and hummingbirds

Habitat

Native to East Asia; widely cultivated in tropical and subtropical regions worldwide

Role in the Ecosystem

Ornamental use; provides nectar for pollinators

Ornamental

Highly valued for its large, colorful flowers and lush foliage

Uses in Other Aspects of Life

Primarily ornamental; some traditional medicinal uses

Endangered Status

Not endangered; widely cultivated