Hibiscus Plant
Hibiscus trionum
Flower of the Hour Plant
Hibiscus plants are found outdoors in tropical and sub-tropical areas throughout the world. They also do well as indoor plants in warm, temperate climates. There are hundreds of varieties of Hibiscus and all bloom indoors when given the right conditions, though the flowers may be smaller than if it had been grown outdoors. Many of the new varieties of Hibiscus are hybrids grown from tissue cultures in greenhouses. Hibiscus plants, upright, woody bushes with dark glossy maple-leaf shaped foliage, bear beautiful flowers in hundreds of color combinations such as orange, red, yellow, pink, and white. The size of the blooms may be as small as 2” or as large as 10”-12.” A Hibiscus bush can be 1′-15′ in height depending on whether it’s growing in a pot or planted outside in the ground. These plants can also make beautiful topiaries and Bonsai PlantsLearn how to grow bonsai plants, and which plants make the best bonsai plants at Houseplant411.com.
Light
Hibiscus require very bright lightVery few houseplants should be placed in direct sun. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants. An area that is too hot and dry encourages Spider Mites and causes blooms to quickly fade. A northern exposure really doesn't provide enough light for high light plants. These plants need to be placed directly in front of an east-facing window, within 1-3 feet of a west-facing window, and within 5 ft. of a south facing window. A high light area has over 300 ft. candles of light. and several hours of direct sun in order to bloom as indoor plants.
Water
During the spring and summer, when a Hibiscus is actively growing, keep the soil moist but never soggy. In the fall and winter, allow the top 2” to dry out before watering.
Fertilizer
Hibiscus need a great deal of plant food. Fertilize every two weeks in the spring and summer and monthly the rest of the year with a basic houseplant food diluted to 1/2 the recommended strength.
Temperature
Hibiscus Plants do well in temperatures between 65°-85°F (18.3°-29.4°C). If the temperature goes below 40°F (4.4°C) for a prolonged period of time, the new growth is ruined.
Humidity
Hibiscus grow better and produce more flowers in high humidity.
Flowering
Although Hibiscus plants produce large beautiful flowers, the blooms usually last for a day. Cool themperatures help the blooms last longer.
Pests
Hibiscus attract AphidsSee a picture, learn to identify, and read about Aphid houseplant pests in the Glossary of Houseplant411.com., thripThrip are tiny winged brown insects that feed on the surfaces of plant leaves, flowers, and buds. They leave silver spots around their feeding areas and dark dots of excrement. Thrip not only weaken plant growth and distort buds and flowers, they transmit viruses from plant to plant as they fly around. The Green Solution, Neem Oil, and Yellow Sticky Cards all are effective in eliminating thrip.s, whitefliesLearn how to identify and treat the plant pest called Whitefly at https://www.houseplant411.com/glossary/whitefly-plant-pests, and spider mitesLearn how to identify and treat Spider Mites on plants. This sucking plant pest causes yellow blotchy leaves with a red haze and a gritty feel to them.. Spray frequently with a mild solution of warm soapy water to prevent insect and disease problems.
Diseases
Leaf Spot and several other types of fungi may cause brown or black circular or irregular shaped spots on the leaves of Hibiscus plants.
Soil
Use a rich organic soil that holds the water but still drainsquickly. Hibiscus plants grow better if the soil is a little acidic so try adding a teaspoon of vinegar to your water once a month or watering with leftover tea.
Pruning
Aggressively pinch and prune Hibiscus plants especially when they are small. By pruning one branch that’s blooming, you’ll be rewarded with three branches that bloom as the plant matures.
Propagation
Propagate using stem cuttings or air layeringLearn how to use Air Layering to propagate houseplants.. If using stem cuttings, try to put at least 15-20 cuttings into a 6” pot. i
Poisonous Plant Info
Why do the buds on my hibiscus fall off before opening?
Buds fall off a Hibiscus if the plant is stressed by a change in location, temperature, too much fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.
, or water. The double bloom variety of Hibiscus plants is especially prone to bud drop.
Why do the flowers on my Hibiscus Plant last such a short time?
The majority of the flowers on Hibiscus plants last just one day. There are a few Hibiscus varieties that have blooms that live 2 or 3 days. In cooler weather, Hibiscus flowers may last a little longer.
My Hibiscus plant has aphids. Someone suggested I put it outside in the 40° for about ½ hour to get rid of the plant bugs. Is this the best way to get aphids off of Hibiscus plants?
I would try something less harsh to get rid of AphidsSee a picture, learn to identify, and read about Aphid houseplant pests in the Glossary of Houseplant411.com. such as the green solutionIf you don't want to use a commercial chemical product to treat plant pest problems try the “Green Solution.” This is a mixture of water, alcohol, biodegradable liquid soap, and mineral oil. Always test any spray on one or two leaves to be sure it won’t damage the plant. Depending upon how severe the infestation is, you can use these ingredients in varying proportions. If there are only a few pests, dip a Q-tip in alcohol and gently swab them off. For a more widespread problem, start by using a spray of warm water mixed with a few tablespoons of biodegradable soap. If that doesn’t cure the problem, make a solution using 8oz. water & 8oz. alcohol, add two tablespoons of biodegradable soap and two tablespoons of mineral oil. Spray all areas of the plant. Use this solution on leathery leafed plants (except palms), never on fuzzy leafed plants like African Violets or Begonias. For palms, omit the alcohol from the Green Solution. Never spray a plant that’s sitting in the sun or one with very dry soil.
(recipe in the Glossary), yellow sticky cardsThis small dark skinny pest flies and jumps around plants and people driving us all crazy. Fungus Gnats develop in moist potting soil, feeding on root hairs and emerging as adults every 30 days. The best way to get rid of Fungus Gnats is to allow the soil to thoroughly dry out. This eliminates the eggs and gnats in the pot. Use yellow sticky cards to trap the Fungus Gnats that are flying around., or insecticidal soapInsecticidal Soap is defined as any of the potassium fatty acid soaps used to control many plant pests and diseases. This product is typically sprayed on plants in the same manner as other insecticides. It works only on direct contact with the pests. The fatty acids disrupt the structure and permeability of the insect cell membranes and the insect quickly dies. Soaps of this kind also work well on fungus infections such as botritis and leaf spot as well as on common houseplant pests such as spider mite and mealy bug.. You may get rid of the AphidsSee a picture, learn to identify, and read about Aphid houseplant pests in the Glossary of Houseplant411.com. by putting Hibiscus plants outside in cold temperatures, but you’ll also kill all the new growth and probably some of the mature leaves as well.
How do I get an indoor Hibiscus to flower? I have lots of dark green healthy leaves, but the plant never blooms.
Using the right fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.
is very important if you want Hibiscus plants to produce flowers. You may be using a plant food that has too much nitrogen and not enough potassium. The first number on the fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.
label represents nitrogen, the second number phosphorous, and the third number potassium. 10-10-10 is a basic balanced plant food. Look for a fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.
that is 10-5-15, one that is high in potassium. Also, giving a Hibiscus plant more sun, pruning them frequently, and keeping them root bound in smaller pots helps to produce more flowers.
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