The Chinese hibiscus (Rosa sinensis) has flowers that resemble those of the hibiscus that commonly grows in gardens. Chinese hibiscus is a beautifully flowering houseplant with multi-colored flowers measuring 10 to 12 cm in length. A healthy and happy hibiscus will reward you with a constant succession of blooms. Here's how to take care of it and keep it healthy.
Steps
Step 1. Chinese hibiscus needs a lot of light
The best solution is to place it in a south-facing window or veranda.
Step 2. Keep the Chinese hibiscus in a sufficiently warm environment
These plants require temperatures between 12.7 and 29.4 degrees centigrade.
Step 3. Plant Chinese hibiscus in light potting soil, not garden potting soil
Step 4. Replant the hibiscus every spring in new potting soil
If the roots appear very extensive, opt for a larger pot.
Step 5. Keep the potting soil moist at all times but do not let it soak in water and do not soak it excessively
- Use distilled water or rainwater at room temperature.
- Keep adding water to the jar until it starts to drain from the bottom.
- Empty the saucer under the plant as soon as the water finishes draining.
- Touch the top of the potting soil to see if the plant needs water. Do not water the pot on a regular basis, wet it whenever the soil feels dry to the touch.
Step 6. Place the pot in a sufficiently humid environment
A relative humidity of 50-60% inside the room would be ideal.
Step 7. Keep Chinese hibiscus away from drafts created by opening doors, window drafts, and forced ventilation vents
Step 8. Fertilize the plant regularly all year round
- Once a month, use a water-soluble fertilizer by mixing it according to the directions prescribed for houseplants with flowers.
- Alternatively, use a slow-release granular fertilizer for flowering houseplants, following the instructions on the label.
- If the soil in which you planted the hibiscus is already fertilized, wait three months before fertilizing it again.
Step 9. Prune the hibiscus to prevent it from getting too big and to encourage full development
- When you replant it in the spring, it will pop up the vertical branches that are too high, to encourage growth and development in width. Take a pair of garden shears suitable for pruning and, starting from the tips at the top, cut the branches at the height of the node of the second leaf.
- You can prune more heavily, cutting at the height of any leaf, to reduce the height or width of the plant. Make sure you leave 2-3 leaves on each stem or remove the stem completely.
Step 10. Keep the plant clean
- Promptly remove dried flowers.
- Remove yellow or dead leaves.
- Dust the leaves if they appear dusty.
- Prune dry branches.
Step 11. Check the hibiscus regularly for pests
- Check for curled or wrinkled leaves.
- Check for too many leaves or if they are yellow, brown or spotted.
- Beware of insects above or below the leaves.
- Beware of thin cobwebs on the leaves or stems.
- If you suspect there are pests, treat them with a houseplant pesticide.
Advice
- A wilted hibiscus can be too dry or too wet. Check the pot before watering.
- Hibiscus comes in single or double flowered varieties. There are also varieties with variegated foliage.
- If the humidity is too low or the plant is still small, the buds can fall out without opening.
- If the plant suffers from some disease or has insect problems it can be treated with a systemic product for the care of roses or with a systemic product against insects and for the control of houseplants. Follow the label directions for potted roses.
- If rain or distilled water is not available, spring or tap water can also be used.
- A hibiscus can be pruned and shaped to look like a shrub or a tree.
