A Guide To 7 Flowers That Look Like Hibiscus

The hibiscus flower is a popular symbol of tropical beauty in Singapore, admired for its bold colours and distinctive trumpet-shaped petals. While it’s a familiar favourite, gardeners seeking variety can choose from many similar-looking flowers within the Malvaceae family, which share the hibiscus’s key features. 

This guide introduces these hibiscus-like plants, highlighting their unique colours, shapes, and growth habits. Practical advice is included to help you cultivate these alternatives successfully in Singapore’s tropical climate. Whether gardening in an HDB balcony or larger garden, you can easily achieve the hibiscus’s tropical elegance through these equally stunning botanical relatives.

Popular Hibiscus-Like Flowers

Embarking on a journey to find hibiscus-like flowers is a rewarding endeavour for any plant lover. It’s about expanding your horticultural repertoire and adding layers of texture, colour, and form to your green space. 

These alternatives are not mere substitutes; they are stunning plants in their own right, each with a story to tell. From hardy shrubs to towering perennials, these botanical beauties are ready to bring that coveted, sophisticated tropical feel to your home.

1. Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus)

One of the most common and often mistaken hibiscus look-alikes is, rather confusingly, a hibiscus itself. The Rose of Sharon, or Hibiscus syriacus, is a temperate cousin to our familiar tropical Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. Native to parts of Asia, it has become a beloved garden plant worldwide for its resilience and prolific blooming.

While sharing the classic hibiscus form, the flowers of the Rose of Sharon are typically more modest in size, usually measuring between 2 to 4 inches across. What they may lack in sheer scale, they more than make up for in number and colour variety. The blooms appear in a breathtakingly beautiful and sophisticated palette that you don’t often see in their tropical counterparts. 

Many varieties feature a captivating, contrasting eye in a deep burgundy or rich red, adding depth and focus to the flower. Some cultivars even boast double, ruffled blooms that look like miniature peonies, offering a wonderfully romantic and textured appearance. The foliage is also distinct, with smaller, lobed leaves that give these shrubs with hibiscus-like flowers a finer, more delicate texture.

Despite its reputation as a "hardy" plant suited for cooler climates, the Rose of Sharon can perform admirably in Singapore. It is, after all, a sun and heat-loving plant.

• Sunlight: Plant it in a location that receives at least six hours of direct morning or full-day sun. The intense Singaporean afternoon sun is generally well-tolerated, but consistent moisture is key.
• Soil and Watering: It demands well-draining soil. For container gardening on a balcony or patio, a high-quality potting mix amended with perlite or sand is ideal to prevent waterlogging, a common issue in our humid climate. Water it thoroughly when the top inch of soil feels dry, ensuring you don't let the pot sit in a saucer of water, which can lead to root rot.
• Pruning and Care: Pruning is best done in the early part of the year to shape the shrub and encourage vigorous new growth, which is where the flowers will form. A balanced, slow-release fertiliser applied every few months will provide the necessary nutrients for a spectacular floral display.

2. Hardy Hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) & Rose Mallow

If your philosophy is "go big or go home," then the Hardy Hibiscus is the plant for you. Also known as Rose Mallow or Swamp Mallow, this North American native produces some of the most jaw-droppingly large tropical flowers that look like hibiscus. These are true showstoppers that command attention.

The defining feature of Hibiscus moscheutos is its colossal blooms. We are talking about flowers that can easily span 8 to 12 inches in diameter – the size of a dinner plate. When one of these unfurls, it is a genuine garden event. The petals are often thin and delicate, giving the enormous flower a surprisingly graceful quality.

The colour range includes pristine whites, soft to vibrant pinks, and deep, velvety reds. Almost all varieties feature a striking, contrasting eye in a shade of crimson or burgundy, creating a dramatic bullseye effect. These are perennials that look like hibiscus, meaning the plant will die back in cooler climates but will shoot up again from the roots. In Singapore's evergreen climate, it will likely remain a leafy shrub year-round.

This plant's love for heat and humidity makes it a surprisingly good fit for our climate. Its common name, "Swamp Mallow," gives a clue to its primary need: moisture.

• Location and Water: It thrives in full sun but absolutely requires consistently moist to wet soil. This makes it a perfect candidate for planting near a water feature, in a low-lying area of your garden that retains moisture, or in a large container with a self-watering system. Do not let this plant dry out, especially during hot, dry spells.
• Space and Feeding: Given its potential size and vigorous growth, give it plenty of room to flourish. It's a hungry plant, so enriching the soil with plenty of compost and applying a fertiliser high in potassium during its growing season will fuel those magnificent blooms. Due to its large, soft leaves, be watchful for common garden pests like mealybugs and spider mites.

3. Hollyhock (Alcea rosea)

For a touch of rustic, old-world charm, the Hollyhock is an unparalleled choice. It offers the familiar hibiscus flower shape but presents it in a completely different and dramatic fashion, adding a much-needed vertical element to garden designs.

Unlike the bushy form of a hibiscus, Hollyhocks are stately, towering plants. They send up tall, impressive spikes that can reach heights of 5 to 8 feet, lined with large, round flowers. The blooms themselves are classic Malvaceae family members, with a hibiscus-like structure, and come in an incredibly diverse and romantic colour palette. 

You can find them in shades of deep maroon so dark it's almost black, buttery yellows, apricot, pure white, and every shade of pink and red imaginable. The large, heart-shaped, slightly fuzzy leaves that clasp the base of the stalk add to its rustic appeal.

Growing Hollyhocks in our tropical climate can be a bit of a challenge, but it is certainly achievable for the dedicated gardener.

• Air Circulation is Key: The primary challenge is our high humidity, which can make Hollyhocks susceptible to fungal diseases like rust. To combat this, ensure you plant them in a location with excellent air circulation. Avoid overcrowding them.
• Sun and Soil: They need full sun to thrive and produce strong stems. The soil must be rich in organic matter but, crucially, very well-draining. Amending your soil with compost and some sand can help achieve the right balance.
• Support: Due to their height, the flower spikes will likely need staking to protect them from strong winds and rain, preventing them from snapping. Growing them against a wall or fence can provide natural support.

4. Abutilon (Flowering Maple) 

If you desire a more delicate, whimsical take on the hibiscus form, the Abutilon is a truly enchanting choice. Known as Flowering Maple for its lovely maple-shaped leaves, or Chinese Lantern for its pendulous flowers, this plant exudes elegance and grace.

The charm of the Abutilon lies in its bell-shaped, nodding flowers that hang gracefully from slender stems. These papery, delicate blooms are like little lanterns lighting up the foliage. They are undeniably flowers that resemble hibiscus in their basic five-petal structure, but their downward-facing, lantern-like posture gives them a unique personality. 

They bloom in a delightful range of colours, including soft yellows, warm oranges, salmon pinks, and vibrant reds. Many varieties, like the popular 'Tiger Eye', feature exquisite veining in a darker, contrasting colour, making the petals look like stained glass.

• Light Requirements: It prefers a spot with bright, indirect light or gentle morning sun. The harsh, direct afternoon sun can sometimes scorch its leaves, so a location with some afternoon shade is often ideal.
• Container Gardening: It is an exceptional plant for pots and hanging baskets, where its weeping, pendulous flowers can be admired from below. This makes it a perfect choice for adding a touch of elegance to an HDB or condo balcony.
• Care: It appreciates consistently moist but well-draining soil. Regular pruning will keep the plant looking full and tidy and will encourage a continuous display of its charming lantern-like flowers.

5. Confederate Rose (Hibiscus mutabilis)

For a daily dose of botanical theatre, the Confederate Rose is a must-have. This is another true hibiscus species, but its unique, colour-changing blooms set it far apart from the common garden variety, offering a captivating spectacle.

The magic of Hibiscus mutabilis lies in its large, showy flowers that transform in colour throughout the day. A bloom will typically open in the morning as a pure, pristine white or a very pale pink. As the day progresses and the sun interacts with its pigments, it will gradually deepen to a rich, clear pink. 

This fast-growing, large shrub absolutely thrives in the heat and humidity of Singapore, making it a very rewarding and low-maintenance choice.

• Sun and Water: To get the most dramatic colour transformation, plant it in a location that receives full, direct sunlight. It is also quite a thirsty plant, especially given its large leaves and prolific flowering, so ensure it receives ample and consistent water.
• Space: This is not a small plant. It can easily grow into a large, multi-stemmed shrub reaching 10-15 feet in height and width. Ensure you give it enough space to reach its full, glorious potential. It makes a fantastic feature plant or a beautiful, informal flowering hedge.

6. Mallow (Malva)

The term "Mallow" is a broad common name for many plants within the Malvaceae family. Exploring the various Mallows, like the Common Mallow (Malva sylvestris), gives us a glimpse into the wider family of hibiscus-like flowers and their shared ancestry.

Mallow flowers are typically smaller and more delicate than hibiscus blooms, but the family resemblance is unmistakable. They have the same five-petaled, cup-like shape. 

Malva sylvestris, for instance, produces lovely 1-2 inch flowers in shades of pink and lilac, beautifully accentuated with darker purple veining, a characteristic trait seen in many Malvaceae members. They have a more wildflower, cottage-garden feel compared to the bold, tropical statement of a hibiscus.

Many mallow species are quite adaptable and can be grown here. They often self-seed readily, so once you have them established, you may find them popping up in other parts of your garden.

• Conditions: They generally prefer full sun and well-drained soil. They are not overly demanding and can tolerate a range of soil conditions.
• Usage: They are perfect for creating a softer, more naturalistic look in a garden bed. Their charming, less imposing nature allows them to mingle beautifully with other perennials and annuals, filling in gaps with delightful splashes of colour.

7. Okra Flower (Abelmoschus esculentus) 

Here is a choice that will appeal to the practical, eco-conscious gardener. Whilst we primarily cultivate okra for its edible green pods (ladies' fingers), we often overlook the fact that its plant produces stunningly beautiful flowers that are textbook hibiscus look alikes.

The okra flower is a picture of simple elegance. It has a classic hibiscus structure, with five soft, creamy-yellow or pale-white petals that form a perfect cup shape. 

At its centre is a deep, rich burgundy or crimson eye that provides a dramatic and beautiful contrast. The bloom is ephemeral, often lasting only a day before it gives way to the developing okra pod, but its beauty is undeniable.

Okra is a popular choice for vegetable gardens across Singapore, as it adores our climate.

• Growing: It is exceptionally easy to grow from seed. Plant it in a spot that receives full, direct sun and in soil that has been enriched with compost. Keep it well-watered, and in a matter of weeks, you will be rewarded with both beautiful flowers and a harvest of delicious vegetables.
• A Dual-Purpose Plant: Choosing to grow okra is a wonderful lesson in functional beauty. It demonstrates how even our food-producing plants can contribute immense ornamental value to our gardens, proving that practicality and aesthetics can go hand-in-hand.

Conclusion On Flowers That Look Like Hibiscus

Whilst the traditional hibiscus will forever remain a beloved icon of tropical horticulture, the world of gardening is infinitely richer when we embrace diversity. Exploring its equally stunning look-alikes opens up a new realm of possibilities for your garden or balcony space in Singapore. 

By understanding their unique personalities and specific care needs, you can cultivate these magnificent plants with confidence. These hibiscus doppelgängers do more than just mimic a familiar form; they introduce exciting new textures, sophisticated colour palettes, and dynamic growth habits. 

If you are looking for the perfect blooms, visit our website at Singapore Florist and find an endless selection of premium flowers for your next occasion.

Contact us today!

Frequently Asked Questions About Flowers That Look Like Hibiscus

What Flower Is Often Mistaken For Hibiscus?

The flower most frequently mistaken for a tropical hibiscus is the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus). This is perfectly understandable as it is a species within the same Hibiscus genus. It shares the classic flower shape but typically has smaller blooms and is known for its hardiness and colour range that includes blues and lavenders.

Are Hollyhocks And Hibiscus Related?

Yes, hollyhocks (Alcea rosea) and hibiscus are indeed related. They both belong to the extensive Malvaceae family, often called the mallow family. This shared botanical heritage is the reason their flowers have such a similar and recognisable structure, despite the hollyhock's tall, spike-like growth habit.

Is Rose Of Sharon A Type Of Hibiscus?

Yes, absolutely. The name can be confusing, but Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a true species of hibiscus. It is often categorised as a "hardy hibiscus" because it can survive freezing temperatures, unlike its tropical cousin, Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, which is more common in Singapore.

What Is The Difference Between A Hibiscus And A Mallow?

This can be a point of confusion. "Mallow" is a common name that refers to many plants in the Malvaceae family, which is the family that hibiscus belongs to. Therefore, all hibiscus plants are technically a type of mallow. However, when people use the term "mallow," they are often referring to other members of the family, like Malva or Alcea, which may have smaller or differently presented flowers.

What Is A Hardy Hibiscus?

A hardy hibiscus is a hibiscus variety that is perennial and can tolerate colder climates, often dying back to the ground in winter and re-sprouting in spring. The two most famous examples are the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus), a woody shrub, and the Rose Mallow (Hibiscus moscheutos), a herbaceous perennial known for its gigantic, dinner-plate-sized flowers.

How Can You Tell A Real Hibiscus?

A quintessential hibiscus flower is defined by a few key features: five broad, often overlapping petals that form a funnel or trumpet shape, and a very distinctive, long central column (the staminal column) which has the pollen-bearing stamens along its length and the stigma pads at its very tip.