Abelmoschus manihot ‘Auntie Lilli’s’

Abelmoschus manihot ‘Auntie Lilli’s’ is an intriguing subtropical mallow relative with beautiful and edible tricoloured, variegated foliage and edible hibiscus-like flowers that are multi-coloured in pink and yellow. Said to be high in antioxidants, protein and vitamins A and K. Use the leaves and flowers raw in salads or cook the leaves like spinach. Commonly called the south sea salad bele tree and long used as a leafy vegetable in Fiji, you can literally have your salad and eat it too! Plants generally reach 3-4 feet high in northern climates but can grow taller. Enjoy in outdoor containers in part sun to part shade during the growing season and then bring indoors to overwinter. Note that stems naturally produce pearl bodies that look like shiny insect eggs but they are a natural part of the plant.