Description

General aspect and origins - Gossypium herbaceum is one of the cultivated cotton species. This short-lived and fast growing perennial shrub can grow up to about 5 ft (1.5 m) tall. It has trilobed or palmate leaves and yellow hibiscus-like flowers. It produces capsules that split open when ripe and that display a loose tuft of white filaments, that constitute the cotton.
Leaves - This species has evergreen and relatively deeply lobed leaves, which are 3 to 5-lobed. The leaf stem is long and green-red.
Flowers - Flowers are yellow and appear in late summer under temperate climates. They often turn yellow-pink when older. The flower is very similar to that of some Hibiscus species, which are close relatives.
Fruits - The fruit is a green-brown capsule that splits open when ripe and that reveals seeds and white fibers, the cotton.

Culture

This plant likes a long, hot growing season to correctly grow and produce good fibers. Moreover, it is very cold tender and should be grown in frost free climates. Elsewhere, it can be grown as an annual plant.
Soil - This shrub can grow on a large range of soils, provided they are well-drained.

Propagation

This plant can be propagated by seeds or cuttings. Fresh seeds can sprout in a week or even less in good conditions.