Choosing a site to grow hibiscus Select a site with full sun and well-drained soil. Knowing the type of hibiscus plant you purchased allows you to care for it properly. Distinguishing between tropical and hardy hibiscus is essential to growing them successfully.Tropical hibiscus grow in the warmest zones, as identified by the USDA in its hardiness zone map. Potted hibiscus plants generally need to be watered and fertilized more frequently than those planted in the landscape. Flower colors of the tropical type often include shades of salmon, peach, orange or yellow, which dazzle in single or double layers of 3- to 4-inch-wide petals. Check the flower color of the plant. The flowers and other parts of the plant are used to make medicine. She has extensive automotive experience, including auction, insurance, finance, service and management positions. … The tropical 'Red Hot' cultivar (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis 'Red Hot'), USDA zones 10 through 11, sports eye-popping maroon, red, pink, green and white foliage. If your hibiscus has glossy deep green leaves, 3-6" flowers of red, pink, orange, yellow, double or single flowers, it is probably a TROPICAL hibiscus. On the other hand, hardy hibiscus is deciduous; it's leaves die and drop off the plant in winter. There are a few different types of hibiscus plants, and hardy and tropical are two of the more common ones. Tropical hibiscus flowers are one of the enduring symbols of the tropics. Most varieties of hardy hibiscus die back to the ground in winter. It can be served hot or chilled as an herbal tea. The main difference between hardy and tropical versions of the plant are the temperature requirements. The most popular variety is Hibiscus sabdariffa. Different types of hibiscus have been used around the world as herbal remedies. Single or double flowers are 4 to 6 inches in diameter. They can be red, yellow, white, or peach-colored, and can be as big as 6 inches wide. It is best suited to growing in zone 4, where temperatures can drop to -30 degrees F, and zone 8, where temperatures can drop to 10 degrees F. The American Hibiscus Society calls Chinese hibiscus, or Hibiscus rosa-sinensis, "Queen of the Tropics." Previously, she managed the American Society of Civil Engineers' journals department. The hibiscus is a popular flower for home gardens. Perennial hibiscus plants are also called hardy hibiscus plants. Hi Eileen! Hibiscus is not that tricky to grow, provided you have a warm, sheltered, sunny spot in well-drained soil. Do you know if indeed it is a type of hibiscus and I’m safe to eat it? The red flowers of … By contrast, the hardy hibiscus is suitable for USDA zones 5 through 8, depending on the species. Hibiscus flowers come in many colors. Bedazzled – This tropical variation is actually a double hibiscus, so it has a ruffled pettiskirt look that is simply breathtaking. If you intend to keep your plants outside, hardy hibiscus will likely acclimate to the weather better. Small amounts of complete fertilizers should be applied intermittently during the growing season, and watering should be thorough but infrequent. Special features of hibiscus Attracts hummingbirds Attracts butterflies. While many common garden varieties have the 3-6" blooms, many of the hybrid varieties of tropical hibiscus can have blooms around 10" … Thank you. Miller has worked for dealer sales events around the United States and now stays local as a sales and leasing consultant for a dealership. Hibiscus likes to be planted in soil that is slightly acidic. If your hibiscus has glossy deep green leaves, 3-6" flowers of red, pink, orange, yellow, double or single flowers, it is probably a TROPICAL hibiscus. Hardy hibiscus tolerate freezing temperatures and can survive winters in cold northern climates. Hardy hibiscus plants are best grown in full sun or partial shade, where many species do well in wet soil. Hybrid hibiscus varieties displaying different flower colors are also available. Whether you choose to grow the tropical Hawaiian-style hibiscus or the giant hardy hibiscus flowers, they're rewarding, blooming repeatedly throughout the season and thriving with little attention. A passionate gardener and home decorator, she has a B.A. In general, tropical hibiscus leaves are dark green and glossy, whereas those on the hardy hibiscus are medium green and heart-shaped. Tropical hibiscus is native to tropical climates. If you have a low spot in the garden, perennial hibiscus is an excellent bet for mid- to late-season color. Perennial hibiscus grows best in moist soil that never completely dries out (this type can handle a bit more water than tropical hibiscus). This type of hibiscus … Hidden Valley Hibiscus: What Kind of Hibiscus Are These? A hardy hibiscus may grow up to 15 feet tall and from 4 to 8 feet wide. Perennial hibiscus plants are also called hardy hibiscus plants. Deep green leaves with a high gloss signify a tropical hibiscus. These are plants that produce pretty flowers, although they … Hibiscus are in the family Malvaceae, which also represents mallow, hollyhock and even cotton. University of Florida Extension: Hardy Hibiscus for Florida Landscapes, Missouri Botanical Garden: Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis, North Dakota State University: Hawaiian Hibiscus, The Tropical Hibiscus: Growing Tropical Hibiscus Up North, How to Care for 'Luna Pink Swirl' Hibiscus. If a thing is worth waiting for it had better be good – and that is certainly the case with hardy hibiscus. It grows 4 to 6 feet in height. Perennial hibiscus have big, disc-shaped, hollyhock-like flowers that can measure up to 12 inches across. Benefits of Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa) Rosella is high in vitamin C (9 x stronger than orange) Easy to grow; Fast growing; Hardy and pest resistant; How to use Rosella: eat the leaves – also known as Pacific Sorrel or Red Sorrel. This isn't always the case, however. If you live in a cold climate, expect to take extra measures to protect your new plant. All Rights Reserved. The flowers are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds. Consider the current season and where you bought your hibiscus plant. Hibiscus tea is a tart, red-colored beverage made from the flowers of the Hibiscus sabdariffa plant. For example, the leaves of the hardy species confederate rose (Hibiscus mutabilis), USDA zones 7 through 9, are large, hairy and lobed rather than heart-shaped. During the cold weather they require little protection and maintenance. When we use the term at HVH, we are applying it to our tropical hibiscus. Nina Kramer, a novelist who published her first novel in 2002, is currently working on a series of novels set in modern China. Hardy hibiscus flowers have red, pink or white flowers, according to the Tropical Hibiscus website. Blossoms are usually flat and large and the texture of tissue paper. Hibiscus varieties are immensely popular in gardening, and range from annuals to perennials, hardy to tropical, and large shrubs to smaller plants. Copyright Leaf Group Ltd. // Leaf Group Lifestyle. Hardy Hibiscus. Tropical hibiscus grows permanently in the landscape only in the warmer U.S. Department of Agriculture hardiness zones 9 through 11, unless they are taken indoors in winter. Only tropical hibiscus is orange. I also have the annuals that I plant and use for tea. Hibiscus does not take a lot of effort to care for; it simply needs to have certain conditions in order to thrive. The different types of hibiscus. Learn which plants thrive in your Hardiness Zone with our new interactive map! Aphrodite – This tropical hibiscus plants has become a symbol for love. The tropical hibiscus needs warm weather or a greenhouse environment to survive. Inspect the shape of the flower. If it's cold outside and you purchased the plant from an outdoor display, you have a hardy plant. Hibiscus can be planted singly or grown as a hedge plant; they can also be pruned into a single-stemmed small tree. Tropical hibiscus fertilizing is important to keeping them healthy and blooming beautifully, but a tropical hibiscus plant owner may wonder what kind of hibiscus fertilizer they should be using and when they should be fertilizing hibiscus. But growers of hardy hibiscus use the term hybrid too, as do all growers of all types of hybridized flowers - which means most of the flowers growing in … Compared to tropical hibiscus, the stems and heart-shaped leaves of hardy hibiscus are much softer, dull green, and tender. Tropical hibiscus is evergreen, meaning that it keeps its leaves year-round. In contrast, leaves on the hardy giant rose mallow (Hibiscus grandiflorus), USDA zones 7 through 10, are fuzzy and grayish green, and on 'Kopper King,' USDA zones 4 through 9, an unusual reddish-copper color. is where these plants are able to survive. Hardy hibiscus tolerate freezing temperatures and can survive winters in cold northern climates. Here’s what you need to know about hibiscus. Confederate Rose grows into a shrub that can reach 6 to 8 feet high and wide. Inspect the leaves of your plant. A tropical hibiscus is shorter and typically grows 4 to 10 feet in height and 5 to 8 feet in width. In climates that do not freeze and have mild temperatures the stems may hang around during the winter season. The tropical variety has double flowers, while the hardy hibiscus has large buds in the center of its flowers, averaging about 2 to 4 inches in size. Shanan Miller covers automotive and insurance topics for various websites, blogs and dealerships.