The gorgeous brightly colored flowers of the hibiscus are very popular with gardeners who want to add a tropical touch to their designs. There are a few hundred species of hibiscus, some are dwarf varieties reaching up to 60-90 cm while others are capable of over 2.5 meters in height. For many people, the simplest solution is to plant potted hibiscus outdoors so you can move it indoors when the winter frosts come. Whether you decide to grow hibiscus in a pot or in the garden, you will need to plant it, care for the plant, and keep it warm during the winter for it to thrive outdoors.
Steps
Part 1 of 3: Planting the Hibiscus
Step 1. Grow hardier hibiscus varieties, not tropical ones
There are several varieties of this plant: among the most common, there are the tropical one and a much more resistant variety. If you plan to grow hibiscus outdoors, the more hardy variety will adapt more easily to our local climate. This type of hibiscus is able to survive in climatic conditions equal to zone 4 of the USDA classification. For best results, plant it in spring, summer, or fall.
- If you want to plant hibiscus in an area where it's warm all year round, such as Sicily, tropical hibiscus may be able to make it through the winter.
- All hibiscus species do not survive temperatures below 13 ° C. You can prune the dead parts of the plant close to the ground level.
- You can also consider growing Rose of Sharon, a hardy, bushy variety of hibiscus that grows well in climatic areas between zone 5 and zone 9 of the USDA classification.
Step 2. Purchase and sprout hibiscus seeds inside a wet handkerchief and plastic bag
Go to the local nursery and purchase hibiscus seeds, then wet a cloth or paper handkerchief with water and use it to wrap the seeds. Place the tissue inside a plastic bag and check the condition of the seeds periodically over the following days. Once sprouted, they are ready for planting.
Step 3. Buy young seedlings in a nursery
Buying a plant instead of growing hibiscus from seeds is a good solution if you are a novice gardener. You should be able to find different varieties of hibiscus in local nurseries.
Step 4. Put compost and compost in a pot or garden
Hibiscus grows well in many different types of soil, so it's best to get some simple potting soil in which to plant it. Make sure you add some compost, which will help balance the pH. Fill the pots with these materials, or add compost to your garden where you have decided to plant the hibiscus.
Step 5. Transfer the sprouts to a jar
It is best to plant the sprouted seeds in a pot and let them grow until they are large enough to be transferred into the soil. Once the soil is prepared, take the sprouts out of the plastic bag. Push their roots, one by one, about 1 cm below the surface of the soil, using your fingers.
If you are planting a hibiscus bush, use 8-inch pots
Part 2 of 3: Providing Basic Care
Step 1. Position the hibiscus so that it receives 6 hours of sunlight per day
Place the plants in a spot in the garden that is well lit by the sun so they will grow well. If possible, choose a location where the hibiscus receives sunlight in the morning or late afternoon, however it needs to be protected from shade during the hottest, sunniest hours of the day (noon until 4pm).
If you have decided to plant hibiscus in pots, you can move it to shaded or sun-exposed areas in case you notice it is not receiving the proper amount of light
Step 2. Keep the soil wet, but not too wet
When you hit the ground and feel it dry, water the hibiscus. These plants grow best in slightly moist soil, but it is important to ensure proper drainage so that the soil does not become too saturated with water.
If you are growing hibiscus in a pot, make sure there are drainage holes in the bottom so that the soil doesn't get too wet and cause root wilt
Step 3. Fertilize the hibiscus once a week during the spring, summer and fall
Every year, from March to October, you need to fertilize your hibiscus plants every week to make sure they are getting the nutrients they need. Purchase a water-soluble fertilizer, dilute it with water, then pour or spray it on the soil.
Make sure you choose a low phosphorus product, for example with formula 20-5-20, as too high concentrations of phosphorus can lead to reduced blooms
Step 4. Prune the plant during the winter to encourage flowering
In the winter months, cut all secondary branches that are smaller and separate from the main structure of the plant with the shears. In this way, many flowers could appear in the places where the secondary branches were when the weather returns to favorable.
Part 3 of 3: Keeping Hibiscus Warm During Winter
Step 1. Move the potted plants closer to your home
If you have decided to grow hibiscus in pots, move it as close to the outside of the house as possible during the winter. That way, the environment they grow in will be a few degrees warmer.
Step 2. Apply a layer of mulch on top of the soil
For best results, spread a layer of protective material all around the base of the plant.
Step 3. Cover the hibiscus plants with protective sheets
Go to the local nursery and purchase a heavy protective sheet to cover the hibiscus. In this way you will protect your plants from the elements and increase the temperature of the environment in which they grow by several degrees.
Step 4. Water the hibiscus with warm water
Typically, these plants grow best when they are given warm water, regardless of the time of year. However, hot water becomes essential during the winter months. Water the plants with water at around 35 ° C to keep them warm and healthy.
Advice
When the hibiscus is fully in bloom, you can cut the flowers and put them on display without harming the plant
Warnings
- Hibiscus is vulnerable to aphid and fungal infestations. If you notice the leaves turning yellow, use a fungicide to get rid of the problem. If you notice the presence of parasites on the plant, you can eliminate them by spraying an intense stream of water on the leaves, once every two days. You can also try making a natural insecticide yourself to use on the plant.
- If you tried to grow hibiscus in areas where frost is frequent, the plant would likely die. If you live in a very cold climate, plant hibiscus in pots that you can move around. This way, you can take them indoors when the temperature drops and approaches 4 ° C at night.
