Effects of industrial effluents on germination, growth, protein content and metal accumulation patterns in Hibiscus esculentus L. were studied. Effluent from two factories in the industrial belt of Cochin, Kerala were used to soak the seeds for germination and to irrigate the seedlings in the field after physico-chemical analysis. Results showed a greater inhibition on germination rate by Carbon Factory effluent. Even though there was no notable change in the vegetative growth, reproductive growth, yield and protein content, a greater bioaccumulation of heavy metals were observed in different plant parts.