Hollywood Hibiscus™ Rico Suave™ Tropical Hibiscus

Light Needs

Part Sun to Full Sun

(5+ Hours Direct Sun)

Mature Height

4-5 Feet

Mature Spread

3-4 Feet

Growing Zones

9 to 11

Hollywood Hibiscus™ Rico Suave™ Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'JBG AH-21') displays golden petals accented by a bold red and burgundy center from late spring into autumn. This cultivar reaches about 3 to 4 feet tall and maintain a neat, upright form. Its repeat flower cycles bring reliable doses of color to sunny spaces. It was selected for enduring performance and ease of care in both landscapes and containers.

Its compact habit and glossy foliage stay appealing throughout the growing season, even when no blooms are open. This tropical shrub originates from warm regions and typically handles short dry spells once roots are established. It can serve as a lively hedge, brighten a border, or thrive in patio pots where a pop of color is desired. Our growers appreciate its low-maintenance requirements and general resistance to common pests.

Hollywood Hibiscus™ Rico Suave™ Tropical Hibiscus Care

Give it a location that enjoys full sun or at least six hours of direct light, and amend the planting area with well-draining, organic-rich soil. Water consistently, keeping the soil evenly moist but not waterlogged, and use a balanced fertilizer every two to four weeks for ongoing blooms. A slightly acidic to neutral soil pH supports strong root development. In areas with colder weather, plant it in a container and move it indoors when temperatures dip below 50°F.

Clip away old flower heads to maintain a tidy look, and trim back any leggy stems for a more compact shape. Inspect for damaged or diseased branches and remove them as needed. In regions with harsh winters, overwintering in a sheltered indoor spot helps the plant stay healthy; water sparingly to avoid soggy roots. Container-grown specimens benefit from high-quality potting mix and may need re-potting if roots become cramped.

Hollywood Hibiscus™ Rico Suave™ Tropical Hibiscus Spacing

We recommend about 48 inches of space between shrubs in rows or mass plantings to encourage a full form. Closer spacing can be used to create a hedge, but more frequent pruning will be required. A container at least 18 inches wide accommodates young plants, giving them room to extend roots comfortably. 

 

Find the Right Variety

Compare Hollywood Hibiscus™

Compare flower color, bloom pattern, and the features that set each Hollywood Hibiscus™ variety apart.

Variety	Main Color	Flower Look	Why Choose It
Hollywood Hibiscus™ Earth Angel™	White	Solid white petals with yellow stamens	Cleanest, brightest white flower in the series
Hollywood Hibiscus™ First Lady™	Pink	Solid pink flowers	Best choice for a simple, uniform pink bloom
Hollywood Hibiscus™ Talk of the Town™	Pink	Light and medium pink with a magenta center	Layered pink color with a strong tropical center
Hollywood Hibiscus™ America's Sweetheart™	Pink	Pale pink edges, medium pink petals & deep magenta throat	Most detailed tonal-pink flower
Hollywood Hibiscus™ First to Arrive™	Red	Solid red petals with yellow anthers	Clear red coloring with an early-starting display
Hollywood Hibiscus™ Hot Shot™	Red	Large, bright red flowers	Strong straightforward bright-red choice
Hollywood Hibiscus™ Sunset Boulevard™	Orange	Bright orange with a very dark burgundy center	Bold orange-and-burgundy contrast
Hollywood Hibiscus™ Golden Globe™	Lemon yellow	Lemon-yellow petals with a red-burgundy center	Bright yellow flowers with crisp center contrast
Hollywood Hibiscus™ Rico Suave™	Yellow	Lemon yellow with bright red and burgundy center	Bullseye-style center against yellow petals
Hollywood Hibiscus™ Social Butterfly™	Yellow & pink	Yellow petals, blush pink center & deep magenta eye	Soft yellow-to-pink transition
Hollywood Hibiscus™ Disco Diva™	Orange & magenta	Creamsicle orange with ruby-magenta tones	High-contrast orange and magenta combination
Hollywood Hibiscus™ Rico Suave™ Tropical Hibiscus Plant Facts Growing Conditions Hardiness ZonesGrowing Zones USDA Zones 9 to 11 (perennial); grown as an annual elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown indoors elsewhere (outdoors year-round); grown in containers elsewhere (grown as a seasonal crop) Sun Exposure Part Sun to Full Sun (5+ Hours Direct Sun) Mature Height 4-5 Feet Mature Spread 3-4 Feet Growth Rate Fast Growth Habit , Mounded, Upright Water Needs Consistently Moist Flowers & Foliage Flower Colors , Pink Flower Description Yellow with burgundy centers Bloom Time Late Spring to Frost Blooms On New Wood ? "Blooms on" tells you which stems produce flowers, which decides when it's safe to prune. New Wood: Flowers form on stems that grow this season. Prune in late winter or early spring without losing blooms. Old Wood: Flower buds form on last year's stems. Prune right after flowering. Pruning in fall or early spring removes next year's blooms. Both New and Old Wood: Blooms on last year's stems and again on new growth, so it flowers even after a hard winter or a mistimed pruning. Prune lightly after the first flush of blooms. When to Prune Late winter to early spring, before new growth starts Foliage Color , Green Foliage Description Dark green, glossy Foliage Type , Semi-Evergreen, Deciduous Seasonal Interest , Spring Flowering, Summer Flowering, Fall Flowering, Fall Interest, 3 Season Interest Garden Benefits AttractsBees Birds Butterflies Hummingbirds ResistsRabbit Pests & Insects ToleratesHeat SafetyKid Safe Pet Safe FeaturesAttracts Pollinators Cut Flowers Deadheading Not Needed Low Maintenance Great ForBorders Combinations Containers Edging Hedges & Privacy Mass Planting Specimen or Focal Point Wildlife Gardens Container RoleThriller Plant Overview Common Name Hollywood Hibiscus Rico Suave Tropical Hibiscus Also Known As Rico Suave Botanical Name Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'JBG AH-21' USPP 32,773 Plant Type Annual Simple Plant Spacing Calculator Planting Shape Rectangle Circle Known Area Length (ft) Width (ft) Diameter (ft) Or enter radius below Radius (ft) Known Area (sq ft) Plant Spacing On-Center (in) Pattern Square (grid) Triangular (staggered) Fill edge gaps (max plants) Enter area to see results. Visual Preview Print / Save PDF Powered by SKU: HHRSHOLLY-GC Container Sizes Please Note: The pictures below are to give a general representation of the different container sizes. The actual size/ages of plants are estimates and will vary based on type of plant, time of year, last pruning & many other factors. Quart Pot Also Known As: Quart Plant Age: ~ 6 months - 1 year Plant Size: ~ 4"-8" Pot Size: ~ 4.75"H x 4.5"W Volume: 1.50 quarts 2.5 Quart Also Known As: 2.5 Quart Pot Plant Age: ~ 1 - 2 years old Plant Size: ~ 8"-12" Pot Size: ~ 6.5"H x 6.5"W Volume: 2.20-2.30 quarts #1 Pot Also Known As: #1 Container 1 Gallon Plant Age: ~ 1 - 2 years old Plant Size: ~ 10"-14" Pot Size: ~ 7"H x 7.75"W Volume: 2.26-3.73 quarts #2 Pot Also Known As: #2 Container 2 Gallon Plant Age: ~ 1.5 - 3 years old Plant Size: ~ 12"-18" Pot Size: ~ 9.5"H x 9.5"W Volume: 1.19-1.76 gallons #3 Pot Also Known As: #3 Container 3 Gallon Plant Age: ~ 2 - 4 years old Plant Size: ~ 12"-30" Pot Size: ~9.5"H x 11"W Volume: 2.32-2.76 gallons #5 Pot Also Known As: #5 Container 5 Gallon Plant Age: ~3-4 years old Plant Size: ~ 20" - 60" Pot Size: ~11" H x 10 1/2” W Volume: 3.5 - 4 gallons Learn more about container sizes. Best in Class Warranty We stand behind our plants with industry-leading guarantees to give you peace of mind. Arrival Guarantee We want your plants to arrive in great condition! If you notice any issues upon delivery, contact us within 3 days. Free 1-Year Plant Warranty Starting January 1, 2026 all bushes, perennials & trees purchased come with an extended 1-year warranty for added confidence. If your plant dies due to a health issue within a year, we’ll make it right. Learn more about our warranty Plants Shipping Now Plants that are currently in stock typically ship within 2-7 business days after your order is placed. Shipping Destinations Plant Addicts ships to the lower 48 states within the U.S. Unfortunately, we do not currently ship to Alaska, Hawaii, or internationally. This plant cannot be shipped to the following states: AK, HI. These restrictions apply only to this specific plant due to agricultural regulations or other limitations. Other plants may still be available for shipping to these states. If you have any questions about shipping restrictions, feel free to reach out to our team! Close × Hollywood Hibiscus™ Rico Suave™ Tropical Hibiscus Related Categories ❮ ❯ Close × ! OK Cancel