Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis) Quick Care Tips

Chinese hibiscus the common name for Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and it is both an exciting and rewarding plant to grow. 

They are capable of performing beautifully for gardeners in every climate. Whether you grow them as house, greenhouse or garden plants.

Pink Chinese Hibiscus flowerPin

The hibiscus plant with their varied, exotic blooms are ideal for floating in bowls or just enjoyed sitting on the patio. 

Except in cool weather, the hibiscus bloom lasts one day, crisp and beautiful with or without water. 

If picked early and put into the refrigerator they may be worn in the evening of the same day. 



Where Can Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis Grow?

Hibiscus leaves and foliage is glossy, and of different sizes and shapes according to the variety. When small, Chinese hibiscus make lovely winter house plants. They will provide many blooms if given a sunny, warm window.

Hibiscus may be grown for several years in seven-gallon containers. These may be placed to decorate the patio or garden during warm weather. 

They will take a light frost without damage, but a real freeze will kill them. When grown in larger containers, hibiscus may be wintered in a greenhouse, sunporch, or a basement. 

If in a basement, they should be watered sparingly, for often in such a location, the foliage drops and the plant will go into dormancy. 

In the greenhouse, with a night temperature of 45° to 50° degrees Fahrenheit, they flower all winter.

These are many reliable hibiscus varieties you may grow and enjoy. Personally, I’ve found the red, orange and pink varieties have the most vigor. 

The larger growing hibiscus may be pot-grown, but should be cut back to size in late fall. 

Some sink their containers in the ground in spring, others keep them in saucers to keep them well-fed and watered. 

Feeding and Watering Chinese Hibiscus

Feed Hibiscus every three weeks with a balanced fertilizer, varying with foliar feeding and root feeding. By using the saucers, the roots stay in the pots.

More on Hibiscus Fertilizer | Controlling Pink Hibiscus Mealybug

By sinking the pots, my experience has been that the roots either come out of the drainage holes. 

When plants are dug for winter the plants are shocked or the roots plug the holes and the plants drown.

Hibiscus like plenty of water, but they will not tolerate poorly drained, soggy soil.

The cuttings of most Chinese hibiscus root easily in winter when they have bottom heat. 

Half-ripened wood in the form of tip cuttings may be taken from May to July and rooted in any good rooting medium – clean sand, vermiculite, sand and peat or perlite. 

They may be air-layered at almost any time to obtain new plants. Hibiscus like humusy garden soil. They grow and bloom well in full sun or half shade. 

Few hibiscus are fragrant, but they are so beautiful that one forgives them this one fault

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