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Growing Hibiscus
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Perennial Hibiscus
How to Plant, Grow, and Care for Perennial Hibiscus
The hardy perennial hibiscus, also called rose mallow or swamp rose, adds the beauty of a tropical hibiscus to the garden, but can withstand cold winter temperatures that kill the actual tropical varieties. Here’s how to grow hibiscus in your garden!
This hibiscus has big, disc-shaped, hollyhock-like flowers that can be 6 to 12 inches across. The perennial hibiscus is the result of hybridizing native wild hibiscus species.
Planting
- Plants can be purchased from nurseries or started from seed.
- Seeds can be sown indoors 12 weeks before the last spring frost. See local frost dates.
- Soak seeds in warm water for one hour before sowing.
- Seeds can also be sown outdoors after the last expected frost date.
- Plant the hibiscus where it is not exposed to strong winds to avoid breaking of the long stems.
- Space plants 2 to 3 feet apart.
- Mature plants can be divided in the spring.
Care
- Mulch around the plant to retain moisture and to provide protection for the roots.
- Water plants deeply and thoroughly.
- To encourage re-bloom, remove old flowers before they form seed heads or prune plants back by one third after a flush of bloom is finished.
- In early spring, remove dead stems from established plants and apply a balanced fertilizer.
Pests/Diseases
Recommended Varieties
- Scarlet Swamp Hibiscus (H. coccineus): This plant, commonly known as Texas Star, has brilliant red flowers.
There are many wonderful hybrids available. Here are just a few:
- ‘Lord Baltimore’: Red flowers.
- ‘Sweet Caroline’: Pink flowers with dark centers.
- ‘Blue River II’: Beautiful white flowers.
- ‘Kopper King’: Huge pink blossoms with red centers. It’s named for its dramatic copper-colored foliage.
Wit & Wisdom
- The plant has been used to soothe headaches, aching limbs, coughs, and inflammations.
- In Victorian times, giving a hibiscus blossom to a person meant that the giver was acknowledging the receiver’s delicate beauty. Learn about more about the language of flowers.
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Reader Comments
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HIBISCUS
I HAVE PLANTED THIS PLANT OUT DOOR.
HOW TO TAKE CARE IN WINTER?
Hibiscus not continuing to bloom.
My red Hibiscus leaves look as if something is eating them as the leaves have almost a mesh like appearance over the past month. What's up?
Hibiscus Damage
There are a few pests that could be causing this sort of damage. The most common is undoubtedly the Japanese beetle, though their population tends to peak in early to mid-summer. They are tough to beat, but they should begin dying off as fall approaches. In any case, look into purchasing a horticultural oil or neem oil, both of which will be effective against most insect pests. Follow the instructions on the packaging; you will likely need to reapply the oils every few days.
hibiscus lowers
I received a potted Hibiscus a few months ago. it had one flower in it, and it has not flowered
since. What do I do wrong. Please give me some advice
potted hibiscus not flowering
There are several reasons why a potted hibiscus might not be flowering. First, the plant needs to be in full Sun, no shade. Also, container plants need some supplemental fertilizer (food) because watering a container plant washes out nutrients. But do NOT overfertilize with nitrogen (which causes lush leafy foliage but at the expense of blooms).
Growing Hibiscus
I order hibiscus roots in December. Received the roots in May. I pot planted them end of May due to the amount of heavy rain we had. The leaves had holes so I removed some leaves. I put plant food to help them bloom. To date flowers have not bloomed. Can you tell me what I am doing wrong Thank you.
Hibiscus
Are the seeds in the pod after the flower
hibiscus seeds
Yes. Leave the flowers to die back. After the flowers are spent for the season, a brown pod will form at the end of the stem in the same place. The seed pod is quite large and obvious. When it starts to brown and break open at one end, collect the small brown seeds. Make sure to place them in a plastic baggie and seal it.
YELLOW FLOWERS,
Please, list yellow flowers, prenuptial please. Spring & summer flowers. Thank You.
yellow perennials
Hi Glenda, If you’re looking for yellow perennials, there are hundreds of choices. Examples of flowers that come in yellow: Rudbeckia Goldsturm, Baptisia, and Coreopsis. We would suggest you Google a garden nursery to browse which plants fit your growing zone! Here is an example: www.bluestoneperennials.com