The tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is a gorgeous flowering evergreen shrub that produces enormous, beautiful blossoms. The blooms of these tropical plants may be up to 10″ (25 cm) in diameter, and they are also known as Chinese hibiscus, Hawaiian hibiscus, or shoeblack plant. Pinks, whites, purples, yellows, oranges, and red are some of the hibiscus flower colors. Tropic hibiscus blooms are frequently funnel-shaped and have a dark center color.
Growing tropical hibiscus plants or tiny trees in your yard is covered in this article. You’ll find out about some of the greatest tropical hibiscus cultivars to cultivate in the ground or pots towards the conclusion of the piece.
How to Care for Tropical Hibiscus
Grow tropical hibiscus in full sun and well-draining soil that is always moist to tend to Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. During the summer, especially in hot weather, you should water Hawaiian hibiscus plants frequently. In the spring and summer, fertilize every two weeks with a high-nitrogen fertilizer. Encourage healthy foliage and blooming by pruning in late fall.
Tropical Hibiscus Facts
The species Hibiscus rosa-sinensis belongs to the Malvaceae family, and most tropical hibiscus plants are cultivars of this species. Hibiscus plants from Hawaii are also known as Hawaiian hibiscus plants, since they belong to the same genus as tropical hibiscus.
Only tropical or subtropical climates allow Hibiscus rosa-sinensis to grow. Between 8 and 16 feet (2.5 to 5 meters) tall and broad, the huge evergreen shrubs USDA zones 9 through 12 are the only places where tropical hibiscus grows outdoors.
Other species, such as Hibiscus grandiflorus (swamp rose mallow), Hibiscus arnottianus (Hawaiian hibiscus), and Hibiscus mutabilis (Confederate rose) may be found growing in gardens between zones 7 and 9. Hibiscus plants produce thick, leafy leaves and unusual flowers that are perfect for flowering hedges. You can grow tropical hibiscus in pots and overwinter them indoors if you live in temperate regions with freezing winters.
Tropical Hibiscus Flowers
Tropical hibiscus blooms come in a variety of colors, including single and double blooms, and may be found throughout the year. Large papery petals with a ruffled look make up the dramatic blooms. Red, crimson, pink, white, orange, yellow, and purple hues may be found in the colors of tropical Hibiscus.
Multicolored hibiscus flowers are among the most stunning. Just a day or two after the exotic tropical hibiscus blooms. The flowering shrubs, on the other hand, continually blossom with their glossy green leaves. Hibiscus flowers blossom across the summer, filling your front or backyard with gorgeous trumpet-shaped blooms that can be seen for miles.
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Tree
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, a big shrub often sold in pots, is a braided hibiscus tree. Braided Hibiscus Trees are slender twisted and intertwined trunks that make stunning decorative plants. Hibiscus trees with twisted stems typically reach a height of 5 to 6 feet (1.5 to 1.8 meters). Large funnel flowers are produced by the blossoming trees, which may be seen all year.
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Care Guide
Let’s explore how to cultivate tropical hibiscus bushes and tiny trees in your front or backyard in further depth.
Where to Plant Tropical Hibiscus Shrubs and Trees
In the brightest part of your garden, grow hibiscus plants on the ground. The tropical hibiscus prefers bright sunlight and requires at least six hours of exposure each day to thrive. The hibiscus bushes bloom continuously throughout the year due to the abundance of sunlight.
Hibiscus may also be cultivated in partial shade, although it won’t flower as much. Hibiscus plants need some shade in hot climates. Some foliage may be burned by the heat and brightness. Planting hibiscus in partial sun is recommended if you get bright, hot summers.
The Best Soil for Hawaiian Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Porous soil that retains moisture but allows for excellent drainage is required for tropical hibiscus growing in the ground or containers. To offer nutrients and remain moist, the optimum hibiscus soil composition has a reasonable quantity of organic matter.
Mulching the root zone may help retain moisture and boost soil fertility. For tropical hibiscus, the best garden soil should be mildly acidic. Aim for a pH of 6.5 to 6.8 if possible. To raise the pH level, add lime, or to lower it, add sulfur. The soil should remain moist but not waterlogged, however, the most essential requirement for hibiscus plants is that.
How to Water Tropical Hibiscus Plants
During warm weather, water-tropical hibiscus is watered every day. Tropical hibiscus plants are typically thirsty and need consistent moisture. The weather, on the other hand, determines watering frequency. You may have to water hibiscus twice a day in the summer. Yellow leaves near the bottom or center of the plant are signs of overwatering in Chinese hibiscus. The rich, glossy green leaves may turn yellow and drop if the earth is dry.
Top care tip for watering hibiscus shrubs and trees: Never allow the hibiscus roots to sit in damp soil. For growing hibiscus in the ground or pots, this is critical.
Temperature Requirements for Growing Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Temperatures of at least 50°F (10°C) are required for tropical hibiscus cultivars. The best hibiscus growth and blooming occurs between 55°F to 85°F (12°C to 30°C). Hibiscus plants may grow poorly if temperatures rise above 100°F (37°C), despite their tropical origin.
The cold intolerance of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and other tropical hibiscus cultivars is limited. Even a brief dip below 35°F (1.5°C) can harm the plant. Hibiscus plants that are growing in the ground or in pots must be protected from frost at all costs.
Consider the numerous rose of Sharon cultivars (Hibiscus syriacus) if you want to have tropical-looking flowers in your gardens but have chilly winters. USDA zones 4 through 9 are suitable for these cold-hardy hibiscus varieties.
How Much Humidity Tropical Hibiscus Needs
A Chinese hibiscus thrives in warm, humid conditions in the garden. You’ll need to water the plant more frequently if the weather is particularly hot and dry. In addition, to avoid situations like powdery mildew, make sure there is adequate air circulation around the foliage.
How to Fertilize Tropical Hibiscus
Fertilization is beneficial for exotic hibiscus plants growing in tropical conditions. To encourage plenty of blooms, apply a potassium-rich fertilizer diluted once a week throughout the summer. You should only water hibiscus occasionally during warm winters, since fertilizing hibiscus might encourage growth.
Select a fertilizer best suited for blooming tropical plants to choose the right sort. For example, a fertilizer that has an NPK ratio of 9-3-13 or 10-4-12 is ideal. The plant thrives because of the high potassium and nitrogen levels, as well as the low phosphorus. In the spring, you can also add organic compost to the soil to supply nutrients for optimum development.
Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Pruning
In the fall, prune tropical hibiscus plants that are growing in the ground or in a pot. Pruning dead limbs encourages fresh growth and ensures that your plant produces a variety of foreign flowers throughout the season. To allow more light and air to reach the plant, pruning tropical hibiscus thinns out the foliage.
For tropical hibiscus plants, pruning is an important care technique. It is necessary to clean the plant’s growth once a year because the heat-loving plant does not die back. Regular pruning will result in even more hibiscus blooms since the spectacular tropical blooms bloom on new growth.
Propagating Tropical Hibiscus
Stem cuttings in the spring or early summer are the best ways to propagate tropical hibiscus. Just beneath a node, remove approximately 4″ to 6″ (10–15 cm) of fresh growth. Apart from the top set of leaves, remove all foliage. You may use rooting hormone to dip the stem’s severed end. Plant the cutting in a combination of potting soil and perlite that is roughly equal. To increase humidity, mist the soil with a plastic bag.
It’s also important to keep the bag away from the leaves. Keep the soil moist by misting it regularly in a warm, bright location. After about eight weeks, roots should develop, and the tropical hibiscus should be moved to a larger pot. The hibiscus can be planted in your garden after a full season.
Top tip for growing tropical hibiscus: Increase your odds of success by taking a few stem cuttings to root, since tropical hibiscus is difficult to propagate.
Transplanting Tropical Hibiscus
To relocate a tropical Hibiscus to a brighter or shadier area of your garden, you may need to transplant it. In the spring is the optimum time to transplant Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. It’s important to prepare the hole before transferring the sun-loving plant to a new spot. Plant the shrub at the same height as it was when previously planted.
Pests Affecting Tropical Hibiscus Growth
Some garden pests may affect Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and other tropical hibiscus varieties. The plant’s development might be impacted by aphids, mealybugs, spider mites, and scale insects. These insects suck the sap of plants by piercing their delicate foliage. Hibiscus growth may be harmed by a substantial pest problem.
Using a neem oil spray to get rid of pests on hibiscus. Add 2 tsp. of sugar to the mixture. 1 tsp. of neem oil For every quart (1 l) of water, use liquid dish soap. Spray the solution generously onto the leaves, making sure to cover the undersides of the leaves with the natural pesticide. For the best results, treat weekly.
Diseases Affecting Tropical Hibiscus Growth
Tropical hibiscus plants are seldom infected by diseases. Tropical hibiscus roots, on the other hand, can undergo root rot if they are placed in saturated soil. If root rot has set in, you may notice that buds don’t open or leaves yellow and wilt. Never water an exotic plant too much to avoid rotting roots.
Tropical hibiscus plants can also be affected by powdery mildew. Mixing 6 fl. oz. of water with 1 tsp. of dish soap may help control powdery mildew. 14 fl. oz. (360 ml) milk Spray the leaves with a quart (400 ml) of water. Powdery mildew is a fungus that can make the leaves and branches on plants look sick.
By providing adequate air circulation around the plant and the shrub receives enough sunlight, you may prevent this unsightly mold.
Growing Tropical Hibiscus in Pots
In containers, several tropical hibiscus cultivars flourish. In the tropics or year-long container plants in temperate climates, potted hibiscus plants are ideal backyard plants for warm summers. In loose, well-draining soil, grow the hibiscus shrub. Only water the soil when the top layer is dry, and ensure that the heat-loving plant gets at least six hours of sunlight daily.
FAQs About Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Care
How to winterize tropical hibiscus
In zones 9 through 12, tropical hibiscus does not succumb to the winter. When the temperature drops below 50°F (10°C), though, if you grow blooming Hibiscus plants in containers, you’ll need to bring them indoors. When the top layer of soil dries, pour water into the hibiscus pot in your brightest area of the house.
Should you cut back tropical hibiscus?
In USDA zones 9 through 12, tropical hibiscus plants grow all year. As a result, you don’t have to dig up your tropical plants. In order to encourage new growth, cut back tropical hibiscus by around one-third in the spring.
How can you tell if your hibiscus is hardy or tropical?
Hardy hibiscus cultivars are deciduous, while tropical hibiscus is an evergreen shrub that blooms for most of the year. In addition, glossier leaves and fewer flowers are characteristic of tropical hibiscus plants. Yet, variants with huge blossoms may be found in both tropical and hardy hibiscus cultivars.
Do you deadhead tropical hibiscus?
Tropical hibiscus plants don’t need to be deadheaded. Tropical hibiscus blooms are usually self-cleaning, which means that they fall off on their own. The act of cutting flowers after they have bloomed is known as deadheading. Just one to three days after planting, hibiscus plants bloom.
Types of Tropical Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Several Hawaiian hibiscus cultivars are included in this gallery of tropical Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.
Tropical hibiscus ‘Brilliant’ (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Brilliant’)
Bright red ruffled blossoms with big red and yellow stamen emerge from the funnel-shaped blooms of the superb tropical hibiscus, which is known as the Brilliant. The glossy, oval leaves and thick foliage of the hibiscus ‘Brilliant’ Hibiscus rosa-sinensis grows to be between 8 and 10 feet (2.4 and 3 meters) tall and broad.
Brackenridge’s rosemallow (Hibiscus brackenridgei)
This bold flowering shrub with large, yellow oval disc-shaped ruffled blooms up to 6″ (15 cm) across is a native Hawaiian hibiscus. The shrub has a tropical feel of the Hawaiian islands thanks to its stunning flowers, which feature a yellow stamen protruding from the funnel center. This tropical hibiscus may reach a height of 3 to 15 feet (1 to 4.5 meters) and is also known as Ma’o Hau Hele.
Topical hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Erin Rachel’
The trumpet-shaped blooms of the tropical hibiscus ‘Erin Rachel’ are delicate pastel hues of pink and orange with crinkled petals. Hibiscus ‘Erin Rachel’ may be grown as an annual or in pots in colder climes. It grows to be 10 feet (3 meters) broad.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Madonna’
Large saucer-like white flowers with a red to dark burgundy center adorn the tropical hibiscus ‘Madonna.’ USDA zones 9 and 10 are ideal for the long-blooming shrub. Between 6 and 8 feet (1.8 and 2.4 meters) is normal for a tropical shrub to grow.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Harry Boris’
Hibiscus ‘Harry Boris boasts beautiful bright orange to chocolate hibiscus with a dark red core. The petal edges of the lovely five-petalled bloom are wavy, and the flower has whitish veins. Grow it in full sun and regularly watered so that the shrub blooms for the majority of the year, as with most tropical hibiscus plants. (1.5 meters) tall
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Waimea Pink’
White flowers resembling a star bloom on the tropical Hawaiian hibiscus known as Waimea Pink. When they bloom in the morning, the elongated rounded petals are brilliant white, and by evening, they’ve turned pink. Hibiscus waimeae is a rose mallow species that is native to Hawaii and is known as koki’o kea. Between 20 and 33 feet (6 and 10 meters) tall, this little hibiscus tree.
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Rainbow Sherbet’
Because of its massive yellow funnel-like blooms with crimson centers, Hibiscus ‘Rainbow Sherbet’ is a dazzling example of a tropical hibiscus. The spectacular blooms are 7 to 9 inches (17 to 22 cm) long. The Hibiscus rosa-sinensis grows to be 4 to 6 feet (1.2 to 1.8 meters) tall and has a bright scarlet color.