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Hollywood Hibiscus™ Heartthrob™

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Heartthrob'

  • Hardy outdoors in zones 9-11, or grow as a stunning patio container plant and overwinter indoors in colder climates
  • Huge 6-8 inch red blooms with a dramatic darker eye appear continuously from late spring through fall in warm conditions
  • Proven Winners® Hollywood Hibiscus™ series is bred for exceptional flower power, compact branching, and improved heat tolerance
  • Fast-growing tropical shrub reaches 4-6 ft tall and attracts hummingbirds, butterflies, and bees to the garden or patio
Regular price $9020
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Plant Size

Planting & Care

Where to Plant

Sunlight: Provide at least 6 hours of direct sun daily for the best flowering. Plants tolerate light afternoon shade in hot climates, but too much shade results in leggy growth and fewer blooms.

Soil: Use a rich, well-draining potting mix for containers. In-ground plantings (zones 9-11) thrive in fertile garden soil amended with compost. Avoid heavy clay that stays waterlogged.

Watering Requirements

Keep soil consistently moist but never soggy during the growing season. Water when the top inch of soil feels dry, typically every 2-3 days in hot weather for containers. Reduce watering in winter when growth slows, but never let the root ball dry out completely.

Pruning Tips

Prune in early spring before new growth begins to shape the plant and encourage bushier growth. Hibiscus blooms on new wood, so regular tip pruning throughout the growing season promotes more flowering branches. Remove any dead, crossing, or leggy stems to maintain an attractive form.

Fertilizer Needs

Feed every 2 weeks during the growing season with a balanced water-soluble fertilizer or use a slow-release tropical plant formula in spring. Reduce feeding in fall and stop entirely in winter. Avoid high-nitrogen fertilizers, which push foliage growth at the expense of flowers.

Delivery and Shipping

Preorder Shipping Schedule

We ship your plants when it's safe to transport them to your zone. Dates are estimated and subject to weather delays.

Zone 3-4 Week of March 30th
Zone 5 Week of March 16th
Zone 6 Week of March 2nd
Zone 7 Week of February 23rd
Zone 8-12 Week of February 15th


Shipping Rates

Ships in 3-4 business days • Tracking provided • Weather protected

Under $50 $9.99
$50 - $99.99 $14.99
$100 - $149.99 $16.99
$150 - $198.99 $24.99
$199+ FREE

✓ Zone-specific timing • ✓ Professional packaging • ✓ Health guarantee

Photo courtesy of Proven Winners - www.provenwinners.com

Hollywood Hibiscus™ Heartthrob™ (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) brings the drama of the tropics to your garden or patio with dinner-plate-sized red blooms that stop people in their tracks. This Proven Winners® selection produces an endless parade of 6-8 inch flowers featuring rich red petals that deepen to a darker burgundy eye at the center, creating an almost velvety, romantic appearance that inspired its name.

A Tropical Showstopper That Keeps Blooming

Unlike older hibiscus varieties that drop buds at the slightest stress, Heartthrob is bred for continuous performance. The Hollywood Hibiscus™ series was developed specifically for improved bud retention, meaning you get reliable flowering even when temperatures fluctuate or the plant gets moved around. Each bloom lasts just a day, but new buds open constantly from late spring through fall whenever temperatures stay above 60°F.

Versatile Growing Options

In zones 9-11, plant Heartthrob directly in the landscape where it develops into a lush shrub reaching 4-6 feet tall with glossy dark green foliage. Zone 9 gardeners should mulch heavily in winter and be prepared to protect plants if hard freezes threaten. For gardeners in cooler climates, this hibiscus makes an exceptional container plant for sunny patios, decks, and poolside plantings. Grow it outdoors during warm months and bring it inside before temperatures drop below 50°F. A bright, sunny window keeps it happy through winter, and some gardeners even enjoy sporadic winter blooms indoors.

Wildlife Value and Landscape Uses

Hummingbirds find the large red flowers irresistible, and you will often spot them hovering at the blooms throughout the day. Butterflies and bees also visit regularly, making Heartthrob a solid choice for pollinator-friendly gardens. Use it as a focal point in mixed containers, plant a row along a fence for tropical screening, or let a single specimen anchor a sunny border.

Why Heartthrob Belongs in Your Collection

The combination of bold color, massive flower size, and reliable performance makes this hibiscus hard to beat. Whether you are a tropical plant enthusiast looking to expand your collection or a gardener who wants that vacation vibe without leaving home, Hollywood Hibiscus™ Heartthrob™ delivers season-long impact with surprisingly easy care.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can Hollywood Hibiscus Heartthrob survive winter outdoors?

  • Yes, in zones 9-11. Zone 9 gardeners should provide winter protection with heavy mulch and cover plants during hard freezes. In colder areas, grow it in a container and bring indoors before frost. It overwinters well in a bright room kept above 50°F.

Why are the buds falling off my Hollywood Hibiscus?

  • Bud drop usually results from inconsistent watering, sudden temperature changes, or moving the plant while buds are forming. Keep soil evenly moist and avoid relocating the plant once buds appear. The Hollywood Hibiscus™ series is bred for improved bud retention compared to standard tropical hibiscus.

How big do Hollywood Hibiscus plants get in containers?

  • Container-grown plants typically reach 3-4 feet tall depending on pot size and pruning. Annual spring pruning keeps them compact and bushy. In the ground in zones 9-11, expect 4-6 feet tall and 3-4 feet wide at maturity.

Is Hollywood Hibiscus Heartthrob the same as hardy hibiscus?

  • No. Heartthrob is a tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) that cannot tolerate hard freezes without protection. Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) dies to the ground in winter and returns from the roots in zones 4-9. Tropical hibiscus has glossy evergreen leaves and a shrubby growth habit.

How often should I fertilize Hollywood Hibiscus?

  • Feed every 2 weeks during the active growing season (spring through early fall) with a balanced fertilizer. Stop fertilizing in late fall and winter when growth naturally slows. Resume feeding when you see new growth in spring.

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