Tropical Hibiscus
Growing Tropical Hibiscus
A popular plant sold at box stores and nurseries is the Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa- sinensis).This well-known species is hardy along the Gulf Coast, California, Florida and Hawaii but can be set outdoors for the summer in any part of the country. There are hundreds of cultivars that come in various shaped flowers as well as in almost every color and are sold as container plants in bush or topiary form.

Care:
Hibiscus need, well-drained slightly acid soil, direct sun and some protection (filtered shade) when temperatures are in the 90 degrees. When you bring it out for the first time you need to acclimate it to the intense heat and sun. They also like a lot of water. Fertilize lightly and often with a diluted 10-10-10 or 20-20-20 during the active growing season.
The disk like flowers will usually last a day or two and come in single five petals, crested single, double and cup saucer double. Hibiscus has active periods of bloom that are followed by a rest, indoors and out. So if your plant stopped blooming for a while, it may be just resting.
Over wintering
When the night temperatures drop below 50 degrees bring your hibiscus indoors for the winter. To help endure the long season, keep it in a cool (60-65), sunny room away from direct heat. Water less but provide humidity such as a pebble tray filled with water or a humidifier. Check for pests such as aphids, whitefly and spider mites and treat with insecticidal soap if infestation occurs.
Pruning
If your plant has grown leggy and out of control you can prune it 1/3-1/2 in early spring to reshape and keep it bushy. Pruning the roots in the fall also helps slow down branch growth.
In cooler climates, hibiscus can be enjoyed as a houseplant indoors in the winter and brought outdoors for the summer. With a little care you can enjoy these tropical flowers on and off all year long.
A common occurrence is yellowing leaves and leaf drop; which can be caused by overwatering or underwatering. How do you determine which one? Look at the root ball. Is it potbound? Meaning are the roots so tight that they are growing in a circular pattern with little soil left? Do water everyday and the plant still looks dry? If this is happening chances are you are ‘underwatering’. There is not enough soil to retain any water and nutrients. Instead of soaking in, the water and nutrients are flowing right through the drain holes leaving your plant thirsty and hungry. It’s time to repot into a larger container. The best time to repot is in the spring but if that can not wait add more soil to your container to help with water absorption and water slowly. For additional info go to http://www.hibiscusworld.com
Here you can buy this:
Bookmark this thread on Tropical Hibiscus
previous post: Gerbera Daisy
next post: Mandevilla
Tropical HibiscusPLEASE TELL ME MORE ABOUT GROWING, WATERING, FERTILIZING, SUN EXPOSURE, AND MAINTAING THE HIBISCUS PLANT…..THANK YOU VERY MUCH AND HAVE A NICE DAY!
Comment by Alexis — 7/2/2005 @ 12:48 pm
I have a hibiscus, bought in Hawaii, that is just a stick with what appears to be roots. How do I plant it?
Comment by Becky — 7/2/2005 @ 12:50 pm
I am new at Gardening can you tell me how to get seeds from the Hibiscus plant so i can replant more..
Thanks So much
Comment by Sharon — 7/7/2005 @ 5:14 pm
i need help with my plant i bought a hibiscus and now all my leaves are falling off and it still blooms what can i do with it
Comment by vicki stuckless — 8/19/2005 @ 3:55 am
I was given a Tropical Hibiscus in a hanging basket. It’s only about 2′ tall now and has given lots of flowers this year, plus lots of seeds, too, but the seed pods didn’t take months to open. They opened two or three weeks after the flower dried up and fell off. Can I plant the seeds now to grow more? Can I keep this plant over the winter, too?
Comment by Jan Humphrey — 8/23/2005 @ 12:11 pm
I didn’t leave the comment, but I too have these little bugs and yes, they are as you describe. The plant doesn’t seem too terribly bothered by them, however, I have noticed some dark blotches on some of the lower leaves. They are about to bloom again, so I’d like to take some of the stress off of them if possible.
Comment by Lacretta — 8/26/2005 @ 7:50 pm
I have a rose mallow hibiscus indoors. The plant looks perfectly healthy but the flowers have all fallen off before blooming. What’s causing this and will they grow back this season?
Comment by Sarah — 8/28/2005 @ 4:51 pm
We planted 24 hibiscus early this summer , alternated pink and yellow. They bloomed wonderfully for about a month and now we only have a few blooms on a few of the pink plants ONLY. The yellow have stopped blooming completely. Can you advise. We live in sunny central Florida and the plants are in full sun. The bushes are doing great but we really enjoy the blooms.
Comment by Billie — 9/6/2005 @ 8:52 am
We are also having problems with bud drop along the east-central coast of Florida. Can you identify possible reasons? Too much rain and high temps?
We have quite a few (all outdoor) hibiscus.
Comment by Joanne Kunz — 9/6/2005 @ 10:51 am
I have two tropical hibiscus planted outside. I have tryed bringing them in for the winter, but they always die. Is there any way I can leave them outside and cover them good?
Please advise. J. Detzer
Comment by j. DETZER — 10/19/2005 @ 7:27 pm
I have a white dust over the branches of the plant not on the leaves themselves and I tried a spray mixture which did nothing. I am hesitant on bringing it in for the winter until I am able to rid the plant of whatever this is!
Comment by heidi davenport — 11/6/2005 @ 6:26 am
how to get starts from a tropical hibiscus plant
Comment by vickie deubner — 11/6/2005 @ 3:21 pm
I have a 1 year old hibiscus plant (put in its outdoor spot January last year when the climate was similar to now) that has suddenly turned quite yellow and the rest looks to be dying. I have reduced it’s watering, but only by 1 minute daily (from 1 min. twice…to 1 minute once). Temperatures have been sub 40F at night. Is it less water…or the cold?
Comment by Rick French — 12/16/2005 @ 12:30 am
i have a question about my indoor hibiscus, purchased last summer. it has grown about a foot in that time (now about 5 1/2 ‘ tall( and hasn’t stopped flowering since i got it - currently 6 blooms and about 25 buds. i can’t spot any aphids on it, but i get some dark, small spots on the backs of some leaves that appear sticky and a gel-like sticky substance at the base of some of the leaves. the spotted ones eventually turn yellow and drop ( or i remove) and it seems to be worse during a heavy bloom. it’s been a great plant and a delight…i need to know how to keep it happy. thank you for any advice you can give.
Comment by susan — 4/4/2006 @ 5:01 am
I have a Hibiscus plant that I have grown from a 3″ plant and is now about 3′ tall. The plant needs to be cut back but I am afraid to cut it and the plant has not bloomed. I always keep the plant indoors and the plant is very healthy. Any advise on making the plant bloom and how far should I cut the plant without sending it into shock?
Comment by Bess — 4/6/2006 @ 2:11 pm
I have a tropical hibiscus tree and I brought it in for the winter and put it in a dark room and stopped watering it for the winter. Since the warmer weather has finally arrived, I put it out on my patio. Currently, it looks dead as a door nail. Did I kill this by ignoring it for the winter or will it come back?
Comment by melissa — 4/20/2006 @ 12:17 pm
Hello! I have a hibiscus that is 6 years old. It is an indoor plant. When I first bought the plant I had several flowers. In the last two years I have not had one flower. What can I do to get this plant to flower again?
Comment by renee — 4/28/2006 @ 1:00 pm
Tropical Hibiscus I live in the Chicago area. I bought three hibiscus rosa-sinensis last summer and placed them on my patio. They bloomed and looked great. When autumn came, I move them to my heated garbage that had a large window. At the coldest, the garbage dropped to 45 degrees and got up to the high 50s. 2 of the 3 plants lost all their leaves. In February, I moved all three into the house near a window. 1 plant has grown back its leaves and is blooming. The other two have no leaves but when I scratch their banches, it is still green. From February to May, these two plants have had no leaves, but when scratched I see green. Will these two plants come back yet?
Comment by Frank Orto — 5/13/2006 @ 11:50 am
why do my seed pods fall right after the flower falls off? thank you! michael
Comment by michael — 5/20/2006 @ 1:31 pm
Are there flowers/plants that don’t ‘get along’ well with a Hibiscus? I’ve heard that certain flower/plants can cause problems when placed near them.
Comment by Karen H — 6/3/2006 @ 1:13 pm
Would like more info on yellowing leaves on a hibiscus. Live in Costa Rica, lots of sun, water (rainy season) and blooms, but leaves yellow and fall. Tried diluted fertilizer and it got worse! Put slow release low fertilizer for evergreens and worse still
Comment by Deborah Fox — 6/16/2006 @ 10:54 am
I live in Phoenix and just planted 3 hibiscus plants. The smallest one seems to be doing well, the 2 larger ones seemed to start wilting and dying before I could even get them in the ground. They both have lots of leaves turning yeloow and the other leaves have started to kind of dry up. They seem to perk up in the eveining and early morning, then by midafternoon they are very droopy. Is this transplant shock? How often do I need to water them in 105 degree weather? I appreciate your help!!
Comment by Geri Chase — 7/9/2006 @ 8:23 am
Hi, I live in Scottsdale AZ and we planted 3 Lipstick Hibiscus last year in full sun. There were a couple of nights last winter when we had frost and I forgot to cover them. They looked terrible but recovered and grew all new leaves. This summer, 2 are gorgeous and one is not. The sick one wilted and died on just half of the plant a month ago. Now the good side is wilted, too. What could be happening? Thank you.
Comment by Gina C — 8/29/2006 @ 1:16 am
what month should hibiscus seeds be planted. early spring, late spring.early summer, late summer, or should you pot them first and then transplant.
I havent been able to find out any info.
thank you.
Comment by Naomi — 8/30/2006 @ 1:30 am
I have a plant I want to bring in for the winter. My question is: I have a cat and dog in the house too. The cat is prone to chewing on plants that are in the house. Can you tell me if the hibiscius plant is poisonous in anyway to the cat? Please answer cause cool weather is getting close. Thanks
Comment by dave phelps — 9/10/2006 @ 8:56 am
have a hibiscus that i keep on my belcony in a pot i have brought it in for the winter as it gets VERY cold and it would freeze, do i cut it back? it is only 2ft high, i love it and want to keep it for next summer.
Comment by Kris — 9/19/2006 @ 5:35 am
When is the best time to prune a rose of sharon plant? Is it true that flowers bloom only on new growths of a rose of sharon plant?
Comment by Helen Taylor — 9/24/2006 @ 11:44 am
I have 2 of the Hibiscus plants. The first is the Hibiscus bush (plant) and it is inside all year long. It is going crazy but no flowers lately. We are into fall here and even though my plants are indoor plants, will they stop flowering? It is really leggy!! All over the place and I am pruning as we speak. Hopefully that was ok. I was checking to make sure I was doing this right. The other plant is the braided tree and it happens to have 2 different colored flowers. They appear to be double flowers also. Any tips for that plant? It was a fall special and it will be an indoor plant but the cold season is approaching. Less sunlight and cooler temps will seep through the windows. Dryer in the house. What should I do to help them out?? Thanks so much!!
Comment by Stephanie — 9/27/2006 @ 2:52 am
Can a hardy hibiscus, about 6 feet tall and now 6 feet wide be divided? If so, when is a good time to do so? The flowers are about the size of a large dinner plate and are so beautiful! Should this plant be cut down to the ground before winter too? Please help. Thank you
Tropical HibiscusComment by Christine S. — 12/4/2006 @ 2:23 pm
I live in Palm Springs CA. Have a yellow hibiscus about 3 yrs old. This last year it finally started filling out and has always been a wonderful flower producer. This last week we had a freeze and it looks so sad.
.Do I remove all dead leaves or let the plant take care of it? Thank you
Comment by Dianne — 1/15/2007 @ 6:45 pm
I live in Illinois and I just bought a Hibiscus tree about a month ago. Over the last week, a lot of the leaves are turning yellow. Everytime I go outside to water it, it looks like it is really dry so I’ve been watering it everyday. I thought it might help if I put mulch on the top of the soil to keep it from drying out so quickly. Is that a bad idea? From the other postings on here, it sounds like I might need to re-pot it. Any suggestions?
Comment by Chasity — 6/10/2007 @ 10:31 am
I have 2 hibiscus in containers,had them a year, this year they only bloomed once but not very many, only one in two months. need to know what can i do to get them to bloom ofte? their in plenty of sunlight i live in lower Alabama they get the morning sun until midday then the shade from the house cover them , they are in 90 degree heat after direct sunlight move over, they leaves are kinda wilty when the sun is on them after sun moves the leaves are firm and erect but still no blooms please help..THANX
Comment by sarah — 6/27/2007 @ 4:47 am
Hibiscus. what can you do to make humidity for the plant when it is brought indoors for the winter month. I know it likes 3-4 hrs sun. but I put my plant in a spare bedroom.. can you help me out ???
thanks, Betty, Edwardsville, Pa
Comment by Betty Lamoreaux — 7/5/2007 @ 2:01 pm
Hello we live in Ontario Canada and have planted our plants out in the ground this summer. We were told that in we keep them outside all year roound. They said just cut them back in the sping the weather here normally ranges from -15 to -45 on occaision. Is this true and if so how much do we cut them back.
Comment by Nicole Bond — 8/17/2007 @ 5:45 pm
Hello,
I have a few Tropical hibiscus plants (30) and a few of them are looking rather weird. This is affecting the Rum Runner Hybrids mostly, When I first bought them the leaves were nice and full, now they are smaller and cup upwards. This change began to take place only a few weeks after I put them in the ground, They receive full sunlight and are watered sufficiently. I started fertilizing about a month ago and still no change, other than big HUGE Blooms. I thought I had read someplace it was some sort of deficiency but I cannot remember of what… ANy thoughts?
Thank You
Comment by ERIN — 9/16/2007 @ 3:52 pm
I was in Wash. DC recently and saw a rather large tropical hibiscus (4″ trunk) about 5-6′ tall. I wouldn’t think that a plant this large would be moved indoors for the winter and then replanted in the spring. I live in Georgia and have three beautiful Yellow hibiscus planted outside and would like to leave them out for the winter. Winters here are about 25-45F. Would this be possible if the plants are mulched around heavily?
Comment by Steve — 10/3/2007 @ 12:05 pm
I brought my Hibiscus tree in for the winter and i have a new kitten who decided ‘hugging’ the tree would be fun. Anyway, upon further inspection, i noticed a ton of claw marks all up & down the tree. I have since cut some soda bottles & put it around the bark, but my leaves are turning yellow & falling off. I am hoping it is just from overwatering, but i want to know if there might be a treatment i should do for the claw marks. Maybe some type of a wrap? i dont know. Please help. Thanks.
Comment by Rowena — 10/24/2007 @ 5:00 pm
I HAVE A HIBISCUS THAT IS PLANTED OUTSIDE.ITS NOW NOVEMBER14. IS IT TO LATE TO PRUNE? I DID IT LAST YEAR ABOUT THIS TIME AND IT IS JUST NOW STARTING TO BLOOM.
What kind of hibiscus is it?
Comment by KAYE — 11/14/2007 @ 9:13 am
I live in Baton Rouge, LA and I have a few hibiscus plants. I know that you can take cuttings and root them, but my question is, when would be a good time to do this and how much should I cut?
Comment by Michele — 11/19/2007 @ 12:55 pm
Help! I just recently moved to MS zone 8. Bought two beautiful Hibiscus late last summer and planted outside. Didn’t ask if they were hardy (silly me, I moved from FL) and it appears they are not as they are now black and wilted after a recent frost. One of the locals said to just cut it back even with the ground and next Spring all will be well! Is this possible?? They are well mulched and seemed to love their location responding beautifully after the transplant from pot to ground.
Comment by Leslie Myers — 12/19/2007 @ 7:35 am
I was just going to cut back my Hibsicus for the spring, and now notice a few flowers and buds growing. I should have cut them back earlier. Is it too late to trim them way back for the summer months, or should I wait until the buds are finished flowering?
Comment by Barbara Semeiks — 3/18/2008 @ 10:44 am
i live in ohio and i have an outdoor hardy hibiscus-i cut it back last fall and now, so far, it looks dead-will it come around or did i kill it?
Comment by melissa russell — 4/21/2008 @ 6:15 am
I have over-wintered my tropical hibiscus very successfully until now. It is blooming again, but at the same time one or more branches starts wilting. What is happening? HELP! I have pruned those that wilted so far, but seems to be getting worse. It’s still too cold to move outdoors.
Comment by Mary — 5/1/2008 @ 10:44 am