How to grow and care for Hibiscus
If you love show-stopping flowers in every colour of the rainbow, Hibiscus plants won’t disappoint. These big, bold, trumpet-shaped blooms instantly transform any garden or indoor space into an exotic, tropical wonderland.
Top 4 tips for growing Hibiscus
- Pick a bright sunny spot. Your Hibiscus will thank you with an abundance of stunning blooms.
- Hibiscus hate soggy feet. Make sure soil drains well and that pots have drainage holes!
- Hibiscus plants are hungry little things in spring. Keep them well fed with a fertiliser high in potassium – think rose food.
- Repot your potted Hibiscus every couple of years to give them room to grow
Hibiscus types
While there are many species of Hibiscus, you’ll generally come across two main types:
- Hardy varieties: These deciduous shrubs thrive in cool to temperate climates and are easy to please!
- Tropical varieties: These evergreen stunners flower from spring to late summer. They require a little bit of TLC to keep them flowering year after year.
How to grow Hibiscus
Planting Hibiscus outdoors
Hibiscus plants are sun-seekers! Find them a cozy spot, tucked away from strong winds and pop them in well-draining soil. To keep them happy:
- Sunshine and good drainage is essential.
- Water well when it’s hot.
- If you’re planting in pots, always use a quality potting mix and make sure your pot has drainage holes.
Growing Hibiscus in pots
Tropical Hibiscus love the sun as much as their outdoor brothers and sisters but keep them out of scorching hot direct sunlight in summer, which can burn their leaves. Bright, indirect light is the way to go. These plants also love humidity, so give them the occasional spritz with a spray bottle. Other tips:
- Keep them warm – never let the room temperature drop below 10°C.
- Use a well-draining potting mix. One that stays moist, but never soggy!
- Repot them every couple of years (or when you start to see roots bursting out of the pot).
- When summer rolls round, pop them in a shaded spot, and remember to give them plenty of shelter from cold winds when things start to get chilly.
Hibiscus: Where to plant
Hibiscus plants aren’t fussy. They’re great for:
- Garden beds: Perfect for a tropical look.
- Patios and containers: They absolutely thrive in pots, so pop them on the patio or balcony.
- City and courtyard gardens: Great for adding colour to smaller urban gardens.
- Indoor spaces: Never-ending flowers brighten up any room.
- Screening: Taller types of Hibiscus trees are great for creating privacy screens or hedges. No more nosy neighbours!
How to care for Hibiscus
Caring for Hibiscus in the garden
Once they’re settled, these low-maintenance stunners don’t ask for much. To keep them thriving:
- Feed them in spring with a high-potassium fertiliser like rose food to keep them healthy.
- Mulch to keep the roots cools and the weeds away (especially when it gets warm).
Prune lightly in late winter or early spring to get rid of any damaged, diseased, or crossing stems.
Caring for potted Hibiscus
These Hibiscus needs a little more TLC:
Water well, especially in spring and summer, but let the top of the soil dry out a little between waterings.
- Feed with a liquid fertiliser high in potash or potassium every 10 to 14 days, especially when they’re flowering as they can get pretty hungry!
- Prune once a year in late September to keep your Hibiscus compact and bushy.
Additional care tips for Hibiscus
Flowering and foliage seasons
Hibiscus plants burst into colour in spring and autumn. While the deciduous Hibiscuses drop their leaves in winter, the tropical types stay green all year!
Soil preferences
Hibiscus aren’t too picky when it comes to soil (chalky, clay, loamy, or sandy), but they do want it to drain well and be a little bit acidic.
Repotting Hibiscus
Potted Hibiscus like to be re-homed every couple of years. Give them a slightly bigger pot and fresh potting mix and they’ll be happy as a clam. If your plant’s in a larger pot, you can just scoop off the top layer of soil and replace it with fresh compost.
When to cut back Hibiscus
The best time to prune Hibiscus is in late winter or early spring before the plant really starts growing. If it’s cold in your area, wait until frosty days and nights are well behind you.
How to grow Hibiscus cuttings
To grow Hibiscus from cuttings, snip a leafy stem that hasn’t yet flowered, remove the leaves from the bottom of the stem, and pop it into a cup of water and place it in a spot that gets indirect sunlight until roots start to form. Then, plant your cutting in a pot with drainage holes and pop in a spot with indirect sunlight. After about two weeks, it’s ready for the garden!
Key facts about Hibiscus
- Size: Outdoors, Hibiscus can reach up to 1.8m tall and 1.2m wide.
- Growing time: Hibiscus typically reaches full size within six to ten years.
- Temperature: Tropical Hibiscus like it warm – nothing below 10°C!
With just a little bit of TLC, Hibiscus plants will reward you with stunning blooms and lush leaves, brining tropical vibes to your home and garden!
