How to Grow and Care for Hibiscus

Although many people associate hibiscus with tropical or subtropical regions, it also grows in temperate climates throughout the world. The large Hibiscus genus of over 200 species and many more cultivars includes annuals, perennials, shrubs, and small trees. The large, trumpet-shaped flowers of up to 12 inches in diameter are common to all hibiscus; they are the main attraction of this popular ornamental. The flowers come in a kaleidoscope of bright colors from white to pink, red, blue, orange, peach, yellow, and purple. All hibiscus flowers are very attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. 

The care and growing requirements vary from species to species so make sure you familiarize yourself with the specifics of the type of hibiscus you have.

Hibiscus Care

The care you provide your hibiscus will vary depending on whether it is a hardy or tropical variety and whether it is grown indoors or outdoors. Here are the main care requirements for growing hibiscus:

• In northern locations, plant hibiscus in full sun. In the south, filtered sunlight is preferable.
• The soil should be fertile and loamy. All hibiscus needs consistently moist soil with good drainage. Keep the soil moist and water as needed.
• Select varieties that tolerate the temperatures in your location year-round. Alternatively, grow hibiscus in pots and overwinter it indoors.
• Fertilize the plant regularly during the growing season.
• Prune hibiscus in the spring when the weather warms up.

Light

Hibiscus loves bright conditions. In northern climes, full sun is best, but in the intense sunlight of southern locations, filtered sunlight is better.

Indoors, hibiscus needs a bright spot near a sunny window. However, keep it away from strong, direct sunlight. If you move the plant outdoors for the summer, gradually acclimate it to the brighter light conditions.

Soil

All hibiscus do best in well-drained, fertile, moist, loamy soil. The hardy varieties are wetland natives and are a good choice for sites that are too wet for other plants. Most hibiscus prefer a slightly acidic soil pH.

Water

All hibiscus are thirsty plants that need to be kept moist. Unless they are planted in consistently moist soil, water them regularly. Mulching around the plant base helps with moisture retention.

For container-grown plants, wait until the top inch of the potting mix fully dries out before watering. In hot summer weather, you might need to water your potted hibiscus as often as daily.

Indoor tropical hibiscus benefits from regular watering from spring to early autumn during the growing season. Significantly reduce watering during the dormant period in the winter.

Temperature and Humidity

The temperature tolerance depends on the species.

Hardy hibiscus grows in cool, temperate climates. It thrives in temperatures between 60 to 90 degrees F and tolerates temperatures as low as minus 30 degrees F.

Temperatures below 50 degrees F cause cold-sensitive and tropical varieties to drop their leaves and temperatures below freezing kill the plants. Make sure to bring container-grown tropical hibiscus indoors when weather cools.

All hibiscus thrive in high humidity; they aren't suitable for hot, arid climates. The high humidity found in a bathroom is a good place for an indoor hibiscus.

Fertilizer

To encourage abundant, healthy blooms with vibrant colors, hibiscus benefits from light yet regular fertilization. There is specially formulated hibiscus fertilizer, but any other fertilizer that is moderate in nitrogen, low in phosphorus, and high in potassium such as 10-4-12 or 12-4-18 will also work.

Use a diluted water-soluble fertilizer once a week for hardy or tropical hibiscus. Granular slow-release fertilizer should be applied on hardy hibiscus three times a year, including early spring, after the first round of blooming, and midsummer, and tropical hibiscus monthly during the growing season from spring to fall.

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Types of Hibiscus

There are hundreds of hibiscus species, including tropical and hardy hibiscus, plus many hybrids and cultivars. The four most popular species are:

• Tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis): Also known as Chinese hibiscus, tropical hibiscus plants produce large and showy blooms from spring through fall as long as they get plenty of sunlight. In colder climates, plant tropical hibiscus in a container and overwinter it indoors. There are many different varieties, including the popular 'Fiesta' with glossy dark green foliage and bright orange flowers that have crinkled edges. USDA Hardiness Zone 7-11
• Hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos): This is the hibiscus for a cooler climate. Native to North America, the oversized flowers feature tissue-thin, ruffled petals in shades of pink, lilac, red, magenta, and white. 'Perfect Storm' is a hardy, compact hybrid cultivar that blooms late in the season. USDA Hardiness Zone 4-9
• Swamp hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus): Native to the southeastern United States, this unusual hibiscus species has large, bright red, pinwheel-like flowers in the summer. USDA Hardiness Zone 6-9
• Cotton rose (Hibiscus mutabilis): The show-stopping flowers of this tropical shrub start as a white or light pink color and within one to three days, change to a magenta pink and then a dark pink to red. USDA Hardiness Zone 7-11
  

Pruning

Pruning hibiscus annually stimulates new growth with flower buds. The timing depends on the type of hibiscus you have but generally, pruning should be done as soon as the weather warms up in the spring. Hardy hibiscus mostly dies back to the ground in winter so you will only have to remove the dead stems before the new growth emerges. Dead, damaged, or diseased stems should be pruned at any time as soon as you notice them.

Propagating Hibiscus

Some hibiscus types are best propagated from stem cuttings and others can be propagated from seed. Follow the step-by-step propagation instructions for the type of hibiscus you have.

How to Grow Hibiscus From Seed

Growing hibiscus from seeds is usually only recommended for swamp hibiscus and roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa), the hibiscus species whose flowers are used for tea. For all other hibiscus types, propagation from seed is not only challenging, but it may also lead to disappointing results because hibiscus cultivars and hybrids propagated from seed won’t produce a plant that is true to the parent.

Potting and Repotting Hibiscus

Nutrient-loving potted hibiscus will benefit from being repotted every couple of years in early spring. Avoid deep pots, otherwise the plant will spend a lot of its energy on root development instead of flower production. The ideal pot shape is quite wide but relatively shallow.

Repot a plant that has outgrown its container into a pot one size larger and filled with fresh potting mix. Water well to establish the settle in its new home.

Overwintering

Tropical hibiscus is only hardy to USDA Zone 9 so it needs to be overwintered indoors in a warm spot where it gets plenty of indirect sunlight daily.

Before you move the plant inside, cut it back by one-third and spray it thoroughly with a garden hose to remove any pests that may be present on the plant.

Let the soil almost fully dry out between waterings and stop fertilizing. Leaf drop during the dormancy is normal; the plant will start regrowth in the spring.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Hibiscus is not bothered by many pests or diseases, but red spider mites become a problem when humidity levels are not high enough. Another potential pest is aphids. Keep them at bay with regular cleaning or insecticidal soaps.

The appeal of hibiscus to deer depends on the species.

How to Get Hibiscus to Bloom

Bloom Months

Depending on the type, hibiscus blooms from June to early fall.

How Long Does Hibiscus Bloom?

Individual flowers of most varieties only last for one day before they close and eventually fall off the plant. The payoff is a very long bloom period. Hardy hibiscus blooms from mid- to late summer until the first frost and tropical hibiscus blooms from spring through late fall and into winter in frost-free climates.

What Do Hibiscus Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Hibiscus flowers range in size from 2 to 12 inches. They come in a kaleidoscope of colors and shades and the flowers are single or double trumpet-shape blooms. The flowers have no scent.

How to Encourage More Blooms

Failure to bloom is very often the result of shady conditions or a lack of fertilizer. Weekly feeding with a diluted liquid fertilizer may prompt your plant to produce plentiful flowers.

Caring for Hibiscus After It Blooms

Cutting perennial hibiscus back by one-third after the first bloom encourages a second flush of summer blooms.

Deadheading Hibiscus Flowers

Deadheading the spent flowers keeps the plant tidy and encourages it to produce more flowers.

Common Problems With Hibiscus

Hibiscus is not difficult to grow however, there are some common problems to watch out for.

Yellow Foliage

If you see your plant's leaves turning yellow, it could be that you are subjecting it to sudden changes in weather conditions, not watering correctly, or not fertilizing often enough. Expect a little yellowing during the transitional seasons of spring and fall, but anything extreme merits further investigation.

Dropping of Buds

Extremes in temperature, insufficient light or humidity, and overwatering or underwatering can cause bud drop.