Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus) Hibiscus brackenridgei
Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus) (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is an evergreen perennial shrub in the Malvaceae family, native to Hawaiian Islands (dry forest and shrubland; endemic). It grows 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) tall and 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) wide, wants full sun and low water, and is hardy to about 4 °C (39 °F). Space plants about 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart.
Plan Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus) in your garden →
Free. Draw your beds, then watch it grow through the year in 2D and 3D.
Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus) at a glance
| Type | Perennial shrub, evergreen |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Mature height | 1–3 m (3.3–10 ft) |
| Mature spread | 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) |
| Spacing | 1.5 m (4.9 ft) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 6 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Low; drought tolerance high, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 6–8 |
| Cold hardiness | About 4 °C (39 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 10) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 36 °C (97 °F) |
| Flowering | from about March for 17–34 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones) |
| Wind tolerance | Moderate |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Not grown as food |
| Native to | Hawaiian Islands (dry forest and shrubland; endemic) |
| Common in gardens of | 🇺🇸 United States |
Is Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
Hibiscus is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and low water.
See Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus) in a botanical garden
It grows in this sample garden, which you can walk through in 3D:
- Na ʻĀina Kai Botanical Gardens (5 plants)
Questions about Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus)
- How far apart should I plant Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus)?
- About 1.5 m (4.9 ft) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft).
- Does Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 6 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus) need?
- Low water. Drought tolerance is high and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus)?
- It tolerates about 4 °C (39 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 10.
- When does Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus) flower?
- From about March for 17–34 weeks (northern hemisphere; later in cold climates, earlier in warm ones).
- Is Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. Hibiscus is listed as non-toxic to cats and dogs.
- What grows well with Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Maʻo hau hele (Hawaiian yellow hibiscus). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (low).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade B (B: extension service or peer-reviewed).
- Plant database and Hawaiian native plants, National Tropical Botanical Garden (Kauaʻi)
- IUCN Red List of Threatened Species, IUCN
Notes and assumptions
- Tropical: outdoors only where frost never occurs; elsewhere under heated glass.
- Hawaii's state flower; Endangered in the wild but common in cultivation.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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