Overview

Gossypium arboreum is a plant with a shrub habit in the genus Gossypium, part of the Malvaceae family, with deciduous foliage. Gossypium arboreum grows best in full sun, and tolerates loam soils and neutral pH. Its UK hardiness is rated H4. Suggested uses include ornamental.

About

Gossypium arboreum, commonly called tree cotton, is a species of cotton native to India and Sri Lanka. There is evidence of its cultivation as long ago as the Indus Valley Civilisation of the Indus River for the production of cotton textiles. The shrub was included in Linnaeus's Species Plantarum published in 1753. The holotype was also supplied by him, which is now in the Linnean Herbarium in the Swedish Museum of Natural History. Grow it in full sun and loam soil. In UK gardens it is hardy through an average UK winter (RHS H4). It works well for ornamental. It tolerates neutral soils, well-drained conditions and south-facing aspects. Plant in well-drained soil in a suitable position. Water during establishment.

Wikipedia contributors, CC BY-SA 4.0 — Gossypium arboreum

About the genus

Gossypium is a genus of flowering plants in the tribe Gossypieae of the mallow family, Malvaceae, from which cotton is harvested. It is native to tropical and subtropical regions of the Old and New Worlds. There are about 50 Gossypium species, making it the largest genus in the tribe Gossypieae, and new species continue to be discovered.

Wikipedia contributors, "Gossypium", CC BY-SA 4.0 — Gossypium

Growing conditions

Best soil and position for Gossypium

Sunlight

Full sun

Soil type

Loam

Soil pH

Neutral

Soil moisture

Well-drained

Aspect

South-facing

Exposure

Sheltered

UK hardiness

H4

Plant details

Gossypium arboreum size, habit and characteristics

Habit

Shrub

Foliage

Deciduous

Suggested uses

Ornamental

Care notes

Pruning and caring for Gossypium arboreum

Propagation

Seed

Pest resistance

Susceptible to aphids

Disease resistance

Susceptible to verticillium wilt

Frequently asked questions