Grow Hibiscus Plants for Dark Green Glossy Leaves and Lush Blooms

Hibiscus is a tropical woody plant with dark green glossy leaves and lush blooms. The blooms can be single and double and come in a variety of shades. It is a long lived shrub in its native habitat and it enjoys warm days and bright sunshine. Hibiscus can be grown successfully in U.S. zones 5 and above. Growing in the lower zones will take a little more care than when grown in the higher zones but it can be done, mainly by growing the plant in pots whereby the plants can be enjoyed outdoors during the summer months and moved indoors for overwintering in the fall. Hibiscus can also be successfully grown as an indoor plant and given the right conditions will survive for years. Hibiscus can be pronounced ‚”Haibiscus or Hebiscus – the choice is personal and always correct.

Where to Grow Hibiscus

Hibiscus plants are easy to grow and easy to care for. Once established they require the minimum of commonsense maintenance, nevertheless a few points of note for outdoor planting are:

• Plant in the sun. Being tropical in nature these plants enjoy plenty of sunshine and a warm site.

• In cooler zones plant in the most sheltered sunny site available.

• Avoid frost at all times; although a mature hibiscus plant will survive a night or two of frost it will be all the better without any.

• Water daily during the blooming season. During the more dormant fall/winter season water only when the soil is dry but not parched.

• Fertilize with a general fertilizer at the beginning of the growing season.

Growing Hibiscus in Tubs

The ideal temperature for Hibiscus success is anywhere between 60 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit and as this is not always possible in an open garden the most successful results can be achieved by planting in tubs.

• Plant in a small tub or pot to start with and let the roots become a little bit pot-bound before transplanting to a marginally larger pot.

• Hibiscus plants will bloom better in cramped conditions.

• Keep the medium moist but never allow the root-ball to become water-logged. Always provide ample drainage.

• As hibiscus plants like the sun and constant warmth place the pot in the optimum position.

• Always remember that hibiscus plants, unless grown in naturally tropical conditions will have to be moved indoors during the colder months so always choose a manageable sized pot.

Pruning and Propagating Hibiscus Plants

• Hibiscus need very little pruning except to keep the plant in check. Pruning can be as severe or as gentle as the situation demands. Severe pruning means cutting back the stems to just above a leaf node. Make the cut with a sharp knife and leave no dangling slivers of stem skin. Gentle pruning can be a mild as only pinching out some tips to encourage a more bushy growth.

• Propagating of Hibiscus plants can be carried out at almost any time of the year and the most common and successful method is stem propagation although the grafting method is gaining some popularity as it can reduce ‘ground to stem’ diseases. Stem propagation can be done in the spring by taking soft stem tips and after dipping these in rooting compound plant in a moist growing medium.

• Hardwood stem propagation is best done at the recognized pruning time of the year, very late winter or early spring. Dip the cutting in rooting powder and plant in perlite mixed with peat. Other medium recipes are equally successful. Plant the cuttings en masse and once they show signs of growth separate them into individual pots on their way to becoming individual plants.

Growing Hibiscus as Houseplants

A Hibiscus plant received as a young bride’s gift can be enjoyed on the ruby wedding anniversary forty years later provided a little care is employed.

• Place the plant where it will receive the most natural light and warmth.

• Failing the availability of natural light fluorescent is the next best option.

• Keep the plant moist but do not allow the pot to sit in water.

• Fertilize the plant on a weekly basis during the flowering season.

• Spray the plant with room temperature water regularly.

Caring for Hibiscus is the same for indoors and outdoors. Yellow leaves indicate a drought. Dropping buds may indicate drought or an attack by spider-mites. In the case of mites spray the entire plant with a systemic insecticide. This is best done outdoors if possible. While the plant is drying-off clean the site with a water-diluted solution of insecticide. Wear plastic gloves for this task.

Tropical Hibiscus plants are long-lasting plants with magnificent blooms, which are ideal for single color garden themes. Use Hibiscus Albo as a pink flowering plant and Hibiscus Columbine as a yellow flowering plant for all year round garden sunshine. Hibiscus plants are also available in deep red, off-white and salmon.