Hibiscus rosa-sinensis isrna bushy, evergreen shrub or small tree growing 2.5–5 m (8–16 ft) tall and 1.5–3 mrn(5–10 ft) wide, with glossy leaves and solitary, brilliant red flowers inrnsummer and autumn. The five-petaled flowers are 10 cm (4 in) inrndiameter, with prominent orange-tipped red anthers. Cultivars andrnhybrids have flowers in a variety of colors as well as red: white to pink,rnorange, peach, yellow and purple. Some have double flowers. 

The flower isrnadditionally used in hair care as a preparation. It is also used to shine shoesrnin certain parts of India. It can also be used as a pH indicator. When used, the flowerrnturns acidic solutions to a dark pink or magenta color and basic solutions torngreen. 

The leaves are often lobed and may bernsmooth or covered in trichomes (plant hairs). The flowers can be borne singly or inrnclusters, and the flowers of many species last only a single day. An epicalyxrn(whorl of leaflike bracts that surrounds the sepals) is particularly common,rnand the stamens are typically fused into arntube. Members of the genus characteristically have spiny pollen, and their fruits are capsules.

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Thernshrub is fast-growing and can add up to 24 inches per year, eventually reachingrnheights of up 15 feet when growing under the ideal conditions.