How to grow 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.
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 US, plant hibiscus in full sun. In the southern US, 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.
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
Hardy hibiscus grows in cool, temperate climates. It thrives in temperatures between 60°F to 90°F and tolerates temperatures as low as -30°F.1
Temperatures below 50°F cause cold-sensitive and tropical varieties to drop their leaves and temperatures below freezing kill the plants. 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 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.
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.
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 US, plant hibiscus in full sun. In the southern US, 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.
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
Hardy hibiscus grows in cool, temperate climates. It thrives in temperatures between 60°F to 90°F and tolerates temperatures as low as -30°F.1
Temperatures below 50°F cause cold-sensitive and tropical varieties to drop their leaves and temperatures below freezing kill the plants. 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 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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Deadheading spent flowers keeps the plant tidy and encourages it to produce more 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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. Deadheading spent flowers keeps the plant tidy and encourages it to produce more 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.
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.
