Hibiscus: care and how to grow it at home

Hibiscus is one of the members of the Malvaceae family. There are several hundred species worldwide in numerous colors and flower shapes. Depending on the type, the hibiscus has a different shape and size. Not only is it an exuberant plant with very beautiful flowers, but it is also very friendly to bees and other pollinating insects. It is also a medicinal plant.

In our latitudes, the hibiscus is very popular as an indoor or garden plant. Annual species grow mainly shrubby and herbaceous, while perennial varieties can grow to the size of small trees. All species of hibiscus originally come from Asia where they thrive in the wild in subtropical areas.

varieties of hibiscus

Depending on the species, the hibiscus is annual or perennial and cold hardy or not. Among the varieties of hibiscus, those with simple flowers have proven to be more prolific in flowering and hardy than those with half or double the petals.

the rose of syria (Hibiscus syriacus ‘Helen’), for example, has simple, beautiful white flowers with a red dot in the middle that tapers into a star shape.

Depending on the amount of space you have available, we recommend vigorous varieties such as Lady Stanley or weak-growing varieties like Red Heart.

The blue hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus ‘Blue Bird’) has proven to be very hardy and is therefore also suitable for colder regions.

A rarity is the variety Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Cooperi’. Its red flowers are relatively small, but its greenish-white leaves make this hibiscus a very special eye-catcher on any balcony or terrace, but it needs a relatively high level of humidity.

Location and care of your hibiscus plants

garden hibiscus

the hibiscus of garden prefers a place sheltered from the wind with direct sunlight. A spot on a warm, south-facing wall in the garden or on the balcony is also ideal.

Regardless of whether you plant your hibiscus directly outdoors or in a pot, use a well-drained soil, not too dry and with a high nutrient content. The more nutrients your hibiscus soil contains, the more abundant its flowers will be. Muddy-sandy soil is ideal for this plant.

In summer you have to water your hibiscus regularly, without waiting for the earth to dry, so that the flowers do not fall off. However, you must make sure that no waterlogging forms because the roots can become moldy.

indoor hibiscus

For your indoor hibiscus, choose a location that is also bright and sunny. However, you should avoid the blazing midday sun in the height of summer; a window sill facing east or west is ideal.

Water your hibiscus daily during the summer months. and avoid waterlogging. Chinese hibiscus does well at normal room temperature. In winter it likes a slightly cooler temperature.

Planting and fertilizing hibiscus: tips for the garden and pot

garden hibiscus

Ideally, you should plant a garden hibiscus outdoors in spring. It doesn’t matter if it’s in a pot or in the ground. This gives it time to form enough roots before its first winter.

Dig a hole twice the size of the root ball. and cover the bottom with nutrient-rich compost. After planting, gently press down on the soil so as not to damage the roots. A final layer of mulch over the root area provides additional protection for your hibiscus.Water your hibiscus sufficiently in the first few days, This way you prevent the buds that have already emerged from falling off.Fertilize it during the summer months. You can use organic flower fertilizer for this or make your own fertilizer. In winter you do not need to use fertilizer.

indoor hibiscus

You should fertilize your indoor hibiscus weekly during the growth phase. in spring and summer.During the winter months, it is enough to fertilize every two or three weeks.If your indoor hibiscus has grown too large during the summer months, it is best to transplant it into a larger pot in spring.

Cut back the hibiscus for a denser growth

Both garden hibiscus and indoor hibiscus can be reduced in size a bit in spring if they need to. You must completely remove any old or dead shoots. All others can be cut back to around five leaf nodes per branch to make them stronger. This is how you shape the plant, allow for dense growth, and prepare it for subsequent sprouting.

Note that Hibiscus is a slow growing plant. A drastic pruning is good for the plant from time to time, but it will take time for it to return to its former size.

Hibiscus in winter: cool location with light and sun

garden hibiscus

Most types of garden hibiscus they are hardy and survive normal winters well in our latitudes. However, you must protect the young plants, particularly during the winter outdoors.

Place a thick layer of fall foliage and brush mulch over the root area of ​​the plant. Layered fir branches are also suitable as protection against the cold.

If your garden hibiscus is outdoors in a pot, make sure it is well protected from the wind during the cold season. You protect it from the cold ground by placing the pot on an insulating wooden board.

indoor hibiscus

Your indoor hibiscus can remain in its usual spot during the winter months, as long as it’s not in the immediate vicinity of a heater. Also you can move it to a room with moderate heating in winter.

your hibiscus it feels more comfortable in winter at temperatures between 16 and 18 ºC. Don’t forget to water it regularly and don’t let the root ball dry out.

For all kinds of hibiscus, plenty of sunlight is a must, even in winter. A slight loss of leaves during the winter is usually normal. However, yesIf there is a lot of leaf drop, you should check the plant for pests and verify their location.

How to reproduce hibiscus with cuttings

Hibiscus reproduction is best done with cuttings and the suitable season is from May to July.

Choose a suitable branch. Keep in mind that it should be healthy and strong. It’s better to pick a fairly new branch. At bestflowers or buds should not be still present. If so, remove them. Cut a cutting about 12 centimeters long at an oblique angle (about 45 degrees). You can cut one or several cuttings. Use a sharp knife or clean pruning shears.remove the lower leaves of the cut cutting. use the cuttings immediately after to cut them.

There is two ways to grow roots on the cutting and thus propagate the hibiscus.

1. Root development in water

For the first possibility of propagating the hibiscus, you can root the cutting in water.

Fill a container (a large glass or a vase) about two inches tall with water and place the freshly cut cutting in it. If you have multiple cuttings, place each one individually in separate containers. Put the jar in a bright place but you should avoid direct sun.Cover the cutting with a translucent material. It can be a bowl, a larger glass or an old plastic bag that you already have at home.Spray the cutting with water every day to allow moisture to collect under the cover.Change the water every two or three days. It is better to use rainwater or still tap water.After several weeks, the roots will have reached 3 to 5 centimeters in length and you can plant the cutting in the ground.Prepare a small pot with soil and compost and plant the cutting in it.Keep the soil well moist for a few days and do not expose the plant to direct sun.

2. Plant it in the ground

To propagate hibiscus, you can also plant the cutting directly in the ground.

Prepare a small pot with compost. You can also use potting soil and a growing pot.Moisturize the soil well.Plant the freshly cut cutting about two inches deep in the ground.Place a glass jar or an old plastic bag on the cutting as described in the variant. If you have a mini greenhouse, you can place the pot there.Always keep the soil slightly moist. Remove the cover from time to time to prevent mold from forming.Place the pot in a bright place, but avoid direct sunlight.After about two or three months roots will have formed. You can then put the hibiscus cuttings in a larger pot. During the first year the plant is best kept indoors. Spring is a good time to go outside.