Turk's-cap Care

Malvaviscus arboreus is a species of flowering plant in the hibiscus family, Malvaceae, that is native to the Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central, and South America. The specific name, arboreus, refers to the tree-like appearance of a plant.

Wax mallow is a beautiful flowering shrub and a member of the Hibiscus family. The scientific name is Malvaviscus arboreus, but the plant is usually called by one of its many evocative common names, including Turk’s cap, wax mallow and Scotchman’s purse. Wax mallow shrub grows in the wild in the Southeastern United States, Mexico, Central America and South America. It often stays around 4 feet tall, but can grow to 10 feet tall with an equal spread. You’ll find that wax mallow plant care won’t take much of your time. The stems of the wax mallow are woody toward the plant’s base, but fuzzier and greener toward the branch tips. Leaves can be up to 5 inches across, but the plant is generally grown for its gorgeous scarlet flowers, which resemble unopened Hibiscus blossoms.