Gardener's HQ Guide to Growing Hibiscus

How to Grow Rose Mallow, Shoe Flower, Roselle, and China Rose Plants in your Garden

Members of the Hibiscus genus can be either half hardy annuals or half hardy perennials.

They are tall plants that range from 45 cm to 2.4 m (18 inches to 8 feet) in height, and this makes them ideal for use in borders, containers, or even as an hedging plant.

Some of the commonly grown species of Hibiscus include Rose mallow, Roselle, Goodnight at noon, China Rose, Shoe Flower, Flower of the hour, and Swamp mallow.

Hibiscus Growing Guide and Facts

Common Names: Hibiscus, Flor de Jamaica, Sorrel, Rosemallow, China Rose, Rose of Sharon, Kenaf, Roselle.
Family: Malvaceae.
Life Cycle: Half hardy annual. Half hardy perennial commonly grown as a half hardy annual by gardeners.
Height: 20 to 120 inches (50 to 300 cm).
Native: Worldwide: tropical to warm temperate regions.
Growing Region: Zones 3 to 10. As a perennial in zones 5 to 10.

How to Grow Hibiscus in the Garden

If you want to grow Hibiscus outdoors from seed then they should be sown on the surface following the last frost of spring.

Hibiscus should be grown in a sunny or partially shaded part of the garden that has a rich moist soil.

The time to sow Hibiscus seeds indoors depends on if they are annuals or perennials. Sow annuals about two months before the last frost of spring is expected. Sow perennials about three months beforehand.

You will first need to chip the seeds, and soak in hot water for about an hour.

The seeds should then be sown on the surface, and will take about two weeks to a month to germinate at 21 to 25 degrees Centigrade (70 to 77°F).

The Hibiscus plants should then be put in the garden following the last frost of spring.

Use a spacing of 40 cm (16 inches: small Hibiscus species) or 60 to 120 cm (2 to 4 feet; large Hibiscus varieties).

Caring for Hibiscus in the Garden

Once growing, water Hibiscus regularly. Once flowering has finished give the Hibiscus plant a light pruning.

If you require to grow more Hibiscus plants for your garden, then divide the plants in the spring or allow then to self seed.

I hope you have enjoyed this guide on how to grow Hibiscus plants. You may also enjoy the following Gardener's HQ growing guides: How to grow Lavatera, Colchicum Plant, and Althaea plants.