What soil does Rose of Sharon grow in?

It tolerates these soils: average garden soil, clay, sandy, calcareous.

Is Rose of Sharon hardy?

Hardy down to -29 °C (USDA zone 4, RHS H7). It gets through winter in every part of the country.

Is Rose of Sharon toxic to dogs?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to dogs.

Is Rose of Sharon toxic to cats?

No. Reliable sources list it as non-toxic to cats.

How far from the house should Rose of Sharon be planted?

Plant it at least 1.5 m from buildings. Keep it at least 0.5 m from paving.

How far apart should Rose of Sharon be planted?

Planted on its own, it needs 1.5 m between plants. For a hedge, allow 2 plants per metre.

When does Rose of Sharon flower?

Flowering: July–September, white, pink, red, purple, blue.

How much water does Rose of Sharon need?

Water need: medium. Drought tolerance: medium.

How much does Rose of Sharon cost?

It sells for roughly €5.90 to €80 in local shops, depending on size.

Rose of Sharon

Hibiscus syriacus

Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a shrub. Light: full sun, part shade. Hardy down to -29 °C. Drought tolerance: medium. Non-toxic to dogs and cats. Sold in local shops from about €5.90.

Illustration of Rose of Sharon — An illustration of the typical shape of the mature plant, not a photo.

What it's good for, and what it isn't

An upright, vase-shaped deciduous shrub that carries large, hollyhock-like flowers from midsummer into autumn, when most shrubs have finished. It copes well with summer heat and city air, flowers best in sun and also works as a flowering hedge. It leafs out late in spring, so do not worry if it stays bare for a long time, and expect plenty of seedlings around its base.

Watch out for

It sets a lot of seed and self-seeds heavily in good conditions: seedlings can come up in large numbers around the plant and in nearby beds. If you want to avoid that, cut off the seed capsules in autumn or choose a double-flowered, low-seed cultivar. Aphids are common on shoot tips and buds, and it can drop buds in hot, dry spells.

Key facts

Light: Full sun, Part shade
Water need: Medium
Care: Low
Size after 10 years: 2.5 m × 2 m
Hardiness: down to -29 °C
Foliage: Deciduous
Flowering: J F M A M J J A S O N D July–September, white, pink, red, purple, blue

Group	Shrub
Light	Full sun, Part shade
Size after 10 years	2.5 m × 2 m
Ultimate size	2.4–4 m × 1.8–4 m
Hardiness	down to -29 °C (USDA 4, RHS H7)
Soil	Average garden soil, Clay, Sandy, Calcareous
Foliage	Deciduous
Flowering	July–September, white, pink, red, purple, blue
Water need	Medium
Drought tolerance	Medium
Maintenance	Low
Root aggressiveness	Low
Suckering	no
Spreading	High
Distance from buildings	at least 1.5 m
Distance from paving	at least 0.5 m
Litter	not typical
Planting distance	150 cm
For dogs	Non-toxic
For cats	Non-toxic
For children	Non-toxic (uncertain)
Typical price	from about €5.90

Toxicity data is for information only. If your pet or child has eaten a plant, contact a vet or a doctor.

Sizes and prices available

The same plant is sold as a small pot and as a specimen several metres tall, and the price follows. Prices are rounded and for guidance only.

Size	Typical price
30-40 cm	approx. €11
30-50 cm	approx. €18
40-60 cm	approx. €11
40-50 cm	approx. €15
80-110 cm	approx. €30
120+ cm	approx. €80
size not stated	approx. €5.90 – €32

Frequently asked questions

Data updated: October 13, 2026 · How our data is made

Appears in these lists

Shrubs for part shade Plants that are non-toxic to dogs Plants that are non-toxic to cats Hedge plants Plants for screening Shrubs for pollinators Low-maintenance shrubs Plants for a Mediterranean garden Flowering shrubs

Guide on the topic

Fast-growing hedges: how much each grows in a year The fastest hedge plant is the Leyland cypress, growing about 90 cm a year, followed by cherry laurel 'Novita', firethorn and western red cedar at about 50 cm a year, then privet at 40 cm. How long a 180 cm hedge takes to screen depends more on the size of plant you buy: several years from small plants, one or two summers from large ones, but at many times the price per metre. The tables use the current shop prices in your country.

Looks good next to it

Photinia 'Red Robin'

Photinia × fraseri 'Red Robin'

Evergreen candytuft

Iberis sempervirens

Cottage pink

Dianthus plumarius