Botanical name-Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis
Family – Malvaceae
Hibiscus is a plant with different colors of flowers mainly used for decorative and medicinal purposes. Hibiscus tea is prevalent and used to treat liver problems and high blood pressure.
Although the origin of hibiscus is unknown, people have cultivated it in China, Japan, and the Pacific islands throughout history.
People in Jamaica and some African countries call it a shoe flower because they use it for shoe polishing.
Buds and hibiscus flowers are edible; they are a rich vitamin source.
Chinese hibiscus is the floral emblem of Malaysia and Haiti.
Moy grande hibiscus is the largest garden flower in the world.
How to care for the Hibiscus plant?
The primary care for your hibiscus plant is to give proper sunlight, water, and nutrients. This guide will help you with a step-by-step process to keep your hibiscus plant healthy and to bloom. Caring for hibiscus brings life and color to your home garden.
Regular watering:
It is the first and foremost step to keeping your hibiscus plant healthy. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy. Water your hibiscus plant when the top inch of the soil gets dried out. During summer, the plant may require frequent watering.
Provide adequate sunlight:
As the hibiscus plant requires 6 hours of direct sunlight, keep the plant under natural bright light.
Good quality soil:
Hibiscus plants thrive in well-draining soil, so use good quality potting soil+organic manure. Soil should not be clay-like or heavy to facilitate proper drainage.
Fertilizing:
Regular fertilizing is essential for maintaining the health and vigor of your hibiscus plants. Use a balanced fertilizer high in nitrogen and phosphorous, and apply it every four to six weeks during the growing season.
Removing extra leaves(pruning):
Pruning regularly will help the plant be healthy, encourage new growth, and promote the production of flowers. You can remove the dried leaves and shoots in late winter or early spring to promote new growth and maintain its shape.
Temperature maintenance:
Hibiscus plants grow well in a temperature of 60-85 degrees Fahrenheit. Avoid high or very low temperatures; maintaining the plant at a medium temperature is ideal for its growth. If you are wondering do hibiscus plants need full sun then read our guide.
Protect from pests and disease:
The major pest that attacks hibiscus is Aphids, spider mites, and scale insects. Treat the plant with the pesticide in case of severe infestation. Common diseases in hibiscus include powdery mildew and botrytis. Immediate control should be done to control the disease.
Repotting the plant:
Hibiscus plants proliferate and can quickly become root bound, so repotting your plant every two to three years is vital. Choose a container slightly larger than the current one, and use fresh potting soil when repotting.
Hibiscus plant care during summer:
1. During summer, water hibiscus frequently to avoid soil dryness. We should also check the proper drainage so roots don’t become waterlogged.
2. Water hibiscus twice a day, but water pot hibiscus daily.
3. While flowering, the plant requires more water than usual.
4. Ideal temperature for hibiscus is 15-32C. In summer, we can grow hibiscus outdoors in the garden. During winter and frost, it should be shifted indoors.
5. Soil should be mixed with well-decomposed compost or organic fertilizer to provide plant nutrients. The plant requires potassium, iron, and magnesium so we can use liquid or water-soluble fertilizers for the best results.
6. Direct sunlight of 6-8 hours is sufficient for plant growth; overheating may lead to soil dryness.
7. Sometimes, fertigation also leads to the death of the plant. We should always provide the nutrient in the required quantity to the plant.
8. Slow-release or water-soluble fertilizers work best for hibiscus plants. You want to use either method to fertilize your hibiscus with balanced compost. All the numbers in the fertilizer will be the same. So, for example, balanced fertilizer is 20-20-20 or 10-10-10.
9. Alternately, spread fertilizer around the hibiscus base using 10-4-12, 9-3-13, or 10-10-10. Remember that too much phosphorus in the fertilizer will cause the hibiscus to die.
10. check the plants once in two days for pest and disease attacks, and immediate action should be taken to control them.
11. Removing extra branches and leaves(pruning) is also one of the essential steps; it keeps plants healthy, and unwanted nutrient wastage can be controlled.
Hibiscus winter care:
It’s essential to care for hibiscus plants during winter to keep them healthy and bloom. Follow the below steps to care for your hibiscus plants.
Reduce watering:
During winter, reduce the watering frequency because hibiscus plants require less water during winter. Water the plants when the soil and plant feel dry.
Stop fertilizing:
As plants will be dormant during winter, reduce or stop fertilizing the plant.
Pruning:
The right time to prune is during spring, so remove the dead or diseased branches or leaves.
Protect the plant from frost:
Cover your hibiscus plant with cloth or burlap to protect the plant from frost or shallow temperatures.
Provide light:
Hibiscus plants require direct sunlight for their growth. So please place them in a sunny location or provide supplemental light.
The above-given guidelines are essential to care for your hibiscus plants during winter.
Best organic fertilizer for hibiscus:
1. Vinegar – Pour a cup of vinegar into a gallon of water to dilute it, then inject the entire mixture into the plant’s roots.
2. Coffee grounds- Your hibiscus will benefit from a good supply of nutrients from coffee grounds.
3. The best organic fertilizers are Banana peels, wood ash, blackstrap molasses, tea leaves, manure, and worm castings.
Hibiscus plant care in pots:
Selecting the suitable variety:
We should select a suitable variety according to our requirements either through our research or can ask expert gardeners which type to choose.
Hardy hibiscus or rose mallow will overgrow within a short period, and it is easy to care for their bountiful delicate blooms.
This variety for pot culture does well with sunlight and water exposure.
But this plant should be brought indoors during winter because it is winter and frost-sensitive.
The lifespan of the variety is up to 10 years.
2. Pot mixture preparation:
1. The selected pot should be 1-2 inches larger since the hibiscus will grow bushy. Small holes should be made in the pot for drainage and air circulation.
2. Filters can be used near the holes to avoid soil seepage via holes. Now fill the pot with potting soil+well decomposed organic manure to provide nutrients to the plant.
3. Plant the variety you selected in the pot and spray water immediately to avoid dryness. Tap the soil around the plant to get settled around the plant.
4. Place the pot where they get good hours of sunlight daily, at least 6-8 hours. Weekly fertilizing is sufficient for the plant to meet nutrient requirements.
5. We can use homemade organic fertilizers to feed the plant. Miracle-gro water-soluble bloom booster can increase the number and size of flowering.
6. Whenever we give watering or fertilizer, it should be free from pests and diseases. Deadheads and extra leaves can be removed to encourage the best blooms.
7. Monitoring the plant often like a baby can help us know its requirement, and we can protect them accordingly.
Frequently asked questions:
1. How often should you water your hibiscus plant?
Depending on the weather and soil moisture, you can water your hibiscus plants regularly, once or twice a week.
2. Can hibiscus grow in pots?
Yes, hibiscus can be quickly grown in pots until it is small enough to accommodate the plant rooting system. Hibiscus can thrive in pots if they receive proper watering, fertilization, and pruning.