How to grow and care for Hibiscus Plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Indoors
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Botanical name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
Family: Malvaceae
Common names: Hibiscus, Rose of Sharon, Rose of China
Hibiscus Plant Description
Hibiscus Plant commonly called Rose of China or Rose of Sharon is an ideal flowering houseplant on account of its large, ruffled, trumpet-shaped blooms which come in many vibrant colors.
Hibiscus Plant Size
Hibiscus is an evergreen shrub growing to a height of about 8 ft with 3 in. saw-edged glossy leaves.
Hibiscus Plant Flower
With proper care there will be a succession of Hibiscus' papery flowers for a few months which come in red, white, yellow , pink, orange, purple and peach. They may be single, double or semi-double.
Hibiscus Plant Origin
Hibiscus is widely cultivated in tropical and sub-tropical regions but it is not known in the wild, so its native distribution is uncertain though it is thought to be some part of tropical Asia.
Hibiscus Plant Varieties
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis has numerous varieties. The variety cooperi has variegated foliage. The varieties are in white, red, yellow, pink, orange, purple, peach and others.
Hibiscus Plant Buy
Buy beautiful and healthy Hibiscus Plants (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) from Etsy.
Photo Credit: Shopee
Hibiscus Plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Care Indoors
Hibiscus Plant Light Requirements
Hibiscus Plant grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight. Hibiscus Plant will not bloom if the light is not enough. Check out this guide on understanding light for houseplants.
How to Water Hibiscus Plant
Water Hibiscus Plant thoroughly and keep the soil moist at all times and allow the top 1-2 in. of soil to dry out between waterings.
Reduce watering for your Hibiscus Plant during the cold season as growth is minimal at this time. Read more on how to water houseplants.
Ensure the pot for your Hibiscus Plant has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from getting soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease and eventual loss of your plant.
Temperature for Hibiscus Plant
Hibiscus Plant thrives in average warmth between 16-290C during the growing season. Keep it cool at about 150C during the dormancy period.
Protect your Hibiscus Plant from cold and hot draughts to avoid sudden changes in the temperature as it can lead to leaf drop. Read more on understanding temperature for houseplants.
Humidity for Hibiscus Plant
Hibiscus Plant has no need for high humidity, average room humidity is ideal for this plant.
However, where the air is too dry, set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity for your Hibiscus Plant inorder for it to thrive. Check out these techniques on how to raise humidity for houseplants.
Fetilizer (Feeding) for Hibiscus Plant
Feed Hibiscus Plant with a water-soluble, phosphorous-rich fertilizer every 2-3 weeks during the growing season to promote flowering.
Withhold feeding for your Hibiscus Plant during the cold season as growth is minimal and it can lead to fertilizer burn. Read more on how to feed houseplants.
How to Repot Hibiscus Plant
Repot Hibiscus Plant once a year during the growing season. To keep the plant small, cut off a third of the roots during reppotting.
Use a pot 1 size larger for your Hibiscus Plant and one that has a drainage hole to prevent the soil from becoming soggy as it can lead to root-rot disease.
The best soil for Hibiscus Plant should be rich in organic matter and free-draining.
For the large Hibiscus Plants, annually replace the top 3-4 in. of soil with fresh soil to provide the necessary nutrients for growth.
How to Prune Hibiscus Plant
Pruning Hibiscus Plant is easy. Remove dead flowers and leaves to maintain your plant neat and tidy.
Pinch off the growing tips of your Hibiscus Plant to encourage compact growth and prevent the plant from getting too huge.
After flowering, cut back the stems of your Hibiscus Plant to rejuvenate growth and to keep your plant compact. Read more on how to prune houseplants.
Hibiscus Plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Propagation
Hibiscus Plant can be propagated at the beginning of the growing season from stem-tip cuttings.
How to propagate Hibiscus Plant from stem-tip cuttings
Take a 4-5 stem-tip cuttings from a healthy Hibiscus plant. Ensure each cutting has at least 2-3 leaf nodes as new growth will arise from the leaf nodes.
Strip off the lower leaves from the lower end of the cutting and dip it in a rooting hormone.
Carefully, insert the lower end of the Hibiscus cutting in moist, free-draining soil and place the set up in a warm, well-lit spot.
Maintain the soil moist through out until the new Hibiscus plants are well established after which routine care can begin.
Photo Credit: IndiaMART
Hibiscus Plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) Problems Indoors
Hibiscus Plant losing (dropping) leaves
Hibiscus Plant losing (dropping) leaves is caused by two possible reasons.
One possible cause of leaf loss in Hibiscus Plant is incorrect watering; either underwatering or overwatering. Maintain the soil for your Hibiscus Plant consistently moist but not soggy and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
The second possible cause of leaf loss in your Hibiscus Plant is sudden drop in temperature. Protect your Hibiscus Plant from cold draughts to maintain an average room temperature.
Hibiscus Plant leaves curling
Hibiscus Plant leaves curling is due to the air being too dry. Set the pot on a wet pebble tray to raise humidity for your Hibiscus Plant. Read more on how to raise the humidity for houseplants.
Hibiscus Plant yellowing and dropping leaves
Hibiscus Plant yellowing and dropping leaves is due to too little light. Move your Hibiscus Plant to a brighter spot as Hibiscus grows best in bright light with some direct sunlight.
Hibiscus Plant dropping flower buds
Hibiscus Plant dropping flower buds is due to three possible reasons.
One possible reason for Hibiscus Plant dropping flower buds is underwatering. Maintain the soil for your Hibiscus Plant consistently moist and never allow the soil ball to dry out completely.
The second possible reasons for Hibiscus Plant dropping flower buds is underfeeding. Feed Hibiscus Plant every 2-3 weeks during the growing season with a water-soluble, phosphorous-rich fertilizer to promote flowering.
The third possible reasons for Hibiscus Plant dropping flower buds is sudden change in temperature. Protect your Hibiscus Plant from cold draughts to maintain an average room temperature.
Hibiscus Plant not blooming (flowering)
Hibiscus Plant not blooming (flowering) is caused by too little light. Move your Hibiscus Plant to a brighter spots where it will receive bright light with some direct sunlight.
Hibiscus Plant Pests
Hibiscus Plant pests are aphids and spider mites.
Isolate the affected plant to prevent spread to the other houseplants and treat it appropriately for the pests.
Is Hibiscus Plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) toxic?
Hibiscus Plant (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is non-toxic to humans and pets.
