Shrub
Turk's Cap
Malvaviscus arboreus
Varieties We Carry
StandardMalvaviscus arboreus
Sizes & Pricing
3 galFrom$14.95
Fresh this week. Last restocked Mar 11.
LightFull Sun, Part Sun, Part Shade
WaterModerate
Mature size5-10 feet × 5-10 feet
About Turk's Cap
Turk's Cap (Malvaviscus arboreus) is a fast-growing, shade-tolerant tropical shrub producing distinctive red flowers whose petals never fully open — resembling a Turkish turban — from spring through fall. It is evergreen in NE Florida's zone 9b, extremely adaptable to sun, shade, and various soils, and is a top hummingbird and butterfly plant for Florida landscapes. Starting at $14.95.
Plant details
- Bloom Season
- Spring, Summer, Fall
- Flower Color
- Red, Pink, White
- Growth Rate
- Fast
- Foliage
- Evergreen
- Soil
- Sandy, Loam, Clay, Well-drained
Best planting months
Recommended forZone 9b · St. Augustine, FL
J
F
M
A
M
JNow
J
A
S
O
N
D
This monthGood windowOther months
Seasonal care
Good planting window.
Bloom season. Handles summer heat well once established.
Bloom season. Ideal planting window.
May lose some foliage in cold snaps.
Care essentials
Light
Extremely adaptable — grows in full sun, part sun, or part shade in NE Florida. Flowering is best in full sun to dappled light; dense shade reduces blooms. It is one of the most shade-tolerant flowering shrubs available for Florida landscapes.
Water
Drought-tolerant once established in NE Florida's sandy soils; water regularly the first season, then reduce to occasional deep watering during dry spells. It tolerates brief flooding and moist conditions, making it well-suited to Florida's variable rainfall.
Soil & Fertilizer
Unfussy about soil — performs in sandy, loamy, or clay soils with good to moderate drainage. Fertilize lightly with a balanced slow-release fertilizer in spring; excessive fertilization promotes lush foliage at the expense of flowers. Prune back hard in late winter to maintain size and encourage vigorous new flowering growth.
Similar needs
Chinese Snowball
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $64.95Same conditions
Saltbush
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $19.95Same conditions
Sweetshrub
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $24.95Same conditions
Virginia Sweetspire
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $26.95Same conditions
Ligustrum
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $14.95Same conditions
Rose of Sharon
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
From $9.95Same conditions
You may also like
Common questions
Is Turk's Cap a good plant for St. Augustine?
Turk's Cap is a shrub for Zone 9b coastal Florida gardens, reaching 5-10 feet × 5-10 feet.
Care information verified from
Last reviewed March 2026. Our care guidance comes from trusted horticulture sources and decades of helping St. Augustine gardeners. Conditions here can vary dramatically from one area to the next, so come ask us and we'll tailor it to your yard.