10 Tips on How to Care for Hibiscus Plants

1.- About Hibiscus Plants

Tropical hibiscus plants are known for their stunning, bright blossoms. The 3 to 8-inch trumpet-shaped blooms with projecting stamens are eye-catching and vibrant. These plants produce flowers regularly, but each flower lasts only one day. However, under optimum conditions, the shrub can grow 24 inches each year and reach 15 feet tall.

As a result, you may enjoy a hibiscus plant year-round no matter where you reside. In warmer climates, tropical hibiscus bushes are employed as hedges and screens. In colder climes, they’re commonly grown in patio or deck planters. The plants will fill your garden and house with beautiful blooms with dozens of flower hues to pick from.

Consequently, growing hibiscus is a great idea for anyone who wants to add a touch of beauty and color to their home or yard. Additionally, research has shown that having plants in your house will have amazing benefits for you! Visit our article Amazing Psychological Effects of Nature in Pet-Friendly Interiors to find out more!

2.- Selecting the Best soil for my Hibiscus Plant

If you’re looking to grow healthy hibiscus plants, it’s important to start with the right kind of soil. For plants in containers, select a potting mix that drains well and contains organic matter. For outdoor plants, look for soil that is rich in organic matter and drains well.

Good drainage is essential to prevent root rot, a common problem in hibiscus plants. If you can find a potting mix or soil specifically designed for tropical plants, that’s even better; just remember to keep the soil moist. With the right kind of soil, you’ll be on your way to growing healthy, beautiful hibiscus plants.

Pure Garden 48 Inch Hibiscus Tree with Flowers

3.- The Best light for my Hibiscus Plant

The hibiscus is a tropical plant that is commonly associated with direct sunlight. However, it is important to note that the ideal growing conditions for a hibiscus plant vary depending on the region in which it is located. For example,they grown in northern areas will typically thrive in full light. In contrast, those grown in regions with greater amounts of heat and dryness should be positioned in an area that receives partial shade.

If your hibiscus plant continuously produces flowers, it is an indication that it is thriving. Therefore, you should maintain the same level of care and attention you have given it. In some cases, it may be necessary to relocate your plant to a location that receives more sunlight if you find that it is not developing buds and blossoms.

4.- How to Water my Hibiscus Plant

Because the tropical hibiscus is such a thirsty plant, the only way for it to flourish and produce flowers is if it receives enough amount of water. It is possible that your plant will require watering once a day or even twice a day if the conditions are severely dry.

The frequency of watering will depend on the temperature, wind speed, and relative humidity of the surrounding environment. In general, they do best when given an amount of water equal to one to two inches each week.

Pure Garden 48 Inch Hibiscus Tree with Flowers

5.- How to Fertilize my Hibiscus Plant

Hibiscus is a vibrant and tropical flowering plant that adds color and life to any space. They are typically purchased in pots, and, as a result, the soil already contains a slow-release fertilizer. This means that the plant will not need any further feeding for at least the first few months after purchase.

The plant will continue to bloom robustly if it is regularly fertilized with a fish emulsion fertilizer that has been diluted. For best results, fertilize hibiscus every two weeks during the blooming season and slightly less often during the fall and winter months. With proper care, a hibiscus can bloom for many years. So go ahead and bring the tropics home with a potted hibiscus today!

6.- Best Temperature and Humidity for my Hibiscus Plant

These plants are truly stunning with their large, brightly-colored flowers. They’re a popular choice for home gardens, but their tropical origins mean that they need warm weather to thrive. The ideal temperature range for it is between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

Even a few nights with temperatures below 50 degrees Fahrenheit can be fatal to the plant. Therefore, it’s important to take action if cold weather is in the forecast. One option is to bring the plant indoors and place it in a bright spot near a window. Another option is to build a makeshift greenhouse around the plant using clear plastic sheeting.

Orange Hibiscus Tree – Live Plant in a 3 Gallon Pot

7.- How to Propagate my Hibiscus Plant

Propagating tropical hibiscus from cuttings is an easy way to produce clones of your favorite plant. To take cuttings, wait until the plant has started growing for the season, then choose a 4-to-6-inch greenish stem. Cut the stem with a sterile, sharp instrument, and remove the stem’s lower leaves.

Trim the stem below the leaf node and soak it in the rooting hormone. Plant the clipping in well-draining potting soil and perlite, wet the soil, and insert the cutting in a hole. Cover the plant with a clear plastic bag, but avoid the foliage.

The cutting retains moisture and heat while bagged. When the cuttings are actively growing, repot them in a larger container. With just a little effort, you can create new plants that are identical to your favorite hibiscus.

8.- Hibiscus Plants – Common Pests and Diseases

As any gardener knows, maintaining a healthy plant requires more than just providing water and sunlight. Pests and diseases can quickly ruin months of work, and even the most carefully tended plants are not immune. Tropical hibiscus is one type of plant that is particularly vulnerable to infection, especially to spider mites.

Bacterial infections can cause leaf wilt, dwarfing, stem rot, and leaf deformation, all of which can lead to the death of the plant. While there are many potential causes of these infections, insects are one of the most common transmitters. Rain and fog can also spread the bacteria, making it difficult to prevent infections from developing.

As a result, it is important to be vigilant in monitoring your tropical hibiscus for signs of distress. If you notice any yellowing leaves or other unusual symptoms, take immediate action to investigate the cause. By taking steps to prevent or treat infections early on, you can help ensure that your tropical hibiscus stays healthy and vibrant for years to come.

Orange Hibiscus Tree – Live Plant in a 3 Gallon Pot

9.- When should I repot my Hibiscus Plant?

Repotting your hibiscus on a regular basis is necessary to maintain the health of the plant. Depending on the size of the hibiscus, you will likely need to repot it every one to two years. When repotting, it is important to use a pot that is not too deep. Deep pots force plants to focus their energy on root development rather than on flower production.

The ideal pot for hibiscus is broad but has a shallow depth. The perfect container will be made of unfired clay and feature a number of holes for water drainage (not just one). Clay pots that have not been glazed are porous, so they allow water and air to freely circulate through the plant.

This circulation is essential for the health of the hibiscus. By repotting your hibiscus on a regular basis, you can ensure that it receives the proper amount of nutrition and care.

10.- Overwintering

Bring the party indoors! No, seriously, with a little care, you can overwinter hibiscus indoors (even if you live in a northern area) and enjoy its blooms all winter long. All you need is two to three hours of direct sunlight per day for your hibiscus to thrive indoors.

And, contrary to what you might think, you don’t even have to bring the plant inside at night. Just make sure it has access to plenty of sunlight during the day. Watering needs are decreased in winter, but keep in mind that dry interior heat can be tough on tropical plants. Water often, but only in very shallow amounts.

Also, don’t forget to mist your hibiscus daily (if the air is dry). As new buds form, pluck them off immediately. You don’t want your plant expending energy on flowers throughout the winter.

Finally, it’s time to move your hibiscus back outside when nighttime temperatures consistently rise above 50 degrees Fahrenheit in spring. Trim it back first, then enjoy its beauty all season long!

11.- How to prune my Hibiscus Plant

The fall season is an ideal time to perform any necessary pruning on tropical hibiscus plants. Pruning will help keep your plant flower as buds form on the new growth that has been promoted by the pruning. Removing some branches will also allow for some much-needed light to enter the plant.

Before bringing your plants inside for the winter, give them a thorough pruning to remove any dead or diseased branches. Doing this will help to ensure that your hibiscus is healthy and vigorous when they are brought back outside in the spring.

Orange Hibiscus Tree – Live Plant in a 3 Gallon Pot

Final Thoughts and Facts

Indoor hibiscus trees have several advantages compared to other houseplants, including a low maintenance routine, bright flower colors, and a long blooming period. To avoid mistakes with your plants, it’s important to provide proper care: check for plant toxicity before bringing it in, make sure it has enough light and water, fertilize during the growing season, or use humidifiers to maintain humidity levels.

You can research where to buy affordable houseplants and houseplant trends for hanging gardens and pet-friendly indoor trees. Talk to your houseplant and use natural light when possible or artificial lights like grow lights in darker areas.

1. Hibiscus buds and flowers are delicious, have a lemony taste, and are rich in beneficial Vitamin C! They can be used to craft yummy chutneys, soups, salads, curries, jams, and jellies. Dried hibiscus is also great for brewing herbal tea.
2. The Chinese hibiscus is proudly honored as the floral emblem of both Haiti and Malaysia!
3. Hibiscus flowers will stay open throughout the day without needing to be placed in water – making them an ideal decoration that looks beautiful for up to 24 hours!
4. Rubbing hibiscus blooms on shoes restores their natural luster – earning them the nickname’ shoe plant’ or ‘shoeblack plant’ in India.
5. The Chinese Hibiscus is widely used in traditional medicine across China and many other countries of Asia for its medicinal benefits!
6. In former times Polynesian women would wear a hibiscus flower on their hair as a wonderful way of indicating if they were single or taken!
7. Easily determine the pH of liquids with a hibiscus flower that turns dark pink or magenta in acidic solutions and green when exposed to an alkaline environment!
8. Colorful hibiscus flowers make great natural dyes for fabrics and textiles – adding a gorgeous vibrance that complements any design aesthetic!
9. Hindus traditionally offer up hibiscus flowers as offerings on the Ganges, representing preservation, transformation, and destruction according to Hindu beliefs!
10. Variegated varieties such as H. rosa–Sinensis ‘Cooperi’ featuring beautiful white or white-pink foliage are caused by a virus but don’t pose any harm making owning these types extra desirable!

Hibiscus Plants Care – FAQ

Is there a difference between tropical hibiscus and hardy hibiscus?

Hardy hibiscus plants are very different from the fussy, tropical hothouse plants available in floral shops and grown indoors. Hardy hibiscus is a non-tropical plant that tolerates punishing winters as far north as the USDA plant hardiness zone.

Is growing hibiscus indoors difficult?

No, they are not difficult to grow indoors if you can provide them with the right environment. They need a sunny spot, high humidity, and well-drained soil. 

What colors do hibiscus flowers have?

Hibiscus produces colorful blooms that can be white, yellow, pink, red or any color except blue. The flowers can be single or double and may have a different color on the inside than the outside.

Do hibiscus flowers attract hummingbirds and butterflies?

By growing hibiscus, you’ll have colorful blooms that will attract hummingbirds and butterflies to your garden.

Are there different types of hibiscus?

Yes, they are Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Bonjour’ blooms red and pink flowers continually. It’s 4-6 feet tall, Hibiscus sinensis ‘Magic Moment’ has 10-inch peach, orange, pink, and light purple flowers on 8-foot bushes, and Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Cajun Cocktail’ boasts variegated 6-inch blooms with no two blooms similar.