Growing Hibiscus Plants

Article: Growing Hibiscus

EllenB
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 858 Posts

March 15, 2006

Botanical Name:

Hibiscus

Life Cycle:

perennial

Planting Time:

spring or summer

Height:

4' to 10'

Exposure:

full sun to very light shade

Soil:

rich well-drained soil

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Hardiness:

zones 5-11 depending on variety

Bloom Time:

summer

Flower:

a dazzling variety of solid, variegated and striped colors; blooms ranging from 6 to 10 inches across

Foliage:

shrub-sized plants with green leaves and woody roots

Propagation:

seeds, cuttings, or purchase hybrids in pots

Suggested Use:

borders, beds, along walls or fences, accent plants

Growing Hints:

Tropical hibiscus needs a frost-free climate, while hardy hibiscus can grow in zones 5-11. If you have the patience, sow seeds indoors in late winter and transplant seedlings after your last frost date in the spring. For first year blooms, purchase plants from a nursery in the spring. Plants generally don't need dividing, but new plants can be started from cuttings taken in late summer and rooted indoors over winter. Space plants 3 feet apart with root crowns set 3 to 4 inches beneath the soil.

Pruning Tips:

Regular pruning keeps plants shapely and invigorated. New growth starts below any cuts made, so plan accordingly when stepping back to assess the plants overall shape. A good rule of thumb is to cut 1/3 of the branches back by 1/3 over the course of several years. Always use a sharp sheers so bark does not get stripped from the stem. Always leave at least 2-3 nodes or "eyes" (bumps on the stems where leaves used to grow) on each branch and leave about 1/2 inch between the eye and the cut.

Some Plants Require Patience

likekinds
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts

October 21, 2016

Last spring, I bought a hibiscus at a reduced price. It really looked bad. Its stems had the most unusual appearance. Well, for 2 dollars, why not?

Hibiscus Moscheutos

likekinds
Gold Post Medal for All Time! 523 Posts

July 5, 2017

I found these this morning in a neglected corner of my back yard, an area I seldom visit. This plant has been in a pot for several years.

Hibiscus Flower Photos

The hibiscus is a large genus of flowering plants that are native to temperate, subtropical, and tropical climates. Winter protection allows you to enjoy them in colder area gardens. This is a page about hibiscus flower photos.

Removing White Flies from Hibiscus

To rid your hibiscus plant of white flies spray with a mixture of 1 gallon warm water that has 1 cup sour milk and 1 Tbsp. flour added. Spray both sides of the leaves. This is a page about removing white flies from hibiscus.

Buds Falling Off Hibiscus Plant?

Determining the cause of bud drop, will be rather like sleuthing. There are a number of reasons this could happen and you will need to discover the cause through planned trial and error.

Hibiscus Losing Leaves

If your hibiscus is losing leaves, it may be stressed from disease or parasites. This is a page about hibiscus losing leaves.

Hibiscus Not Growing?

The hibiscus is a deciduous shrub that can provide lots of garden color during the summer. This page is about hibiscus not growing.

Hibiscus Damaged By Cold Weather

Know what to do to when a shrub has been damaged by a hard winter. This page is about hibiscus damaged by cold weather.

Pruning a Hibiscus

This is a page about pruning a hibiscus. Knowing the best time to prune your flowering shrubs can not only improve their shape, but will not disrupt their blooming.

Hibiscus Leaves Turning Yellow

This is a page about hibiscus leaves turning yellow. Yellowing leaves on a plant can indicate a number of issues. Identifying the cause will allow you to treat your plant.