Turk's Cap
Malvaviscus arboreus
Varieties We Bring In
Last received Mar 11, 2026.
We bring this in seasonally, so what is on the lot changes week to week. A received date shows when it last came in, not that it is here today.
Call (904) 471-0440 to confirm this plant and size before you make the trip.
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
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
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.
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.
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.
Saltbush
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Sweetshrub
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Virginia Sweetspire
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, loam, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Ligustrum
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
Rose of Sharon
Shares 5 of the same needs: full sun, moderate water, sandy, zone 9a hardiness, and pollinator-friendly.
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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.