Native to Asia, tropical hibiscus plants produce flowers constantly, but each blossom only lasts one day.
Start new plants in spring, whether in the ground or containers.
In northern climates, your hibiscus plants will probably be happiest in full sun.
Illustration: The Spruce / Nusha Ashjaee
In the ground, your soil should have lots of organic matter.
The soil in both grow locations should be well-draining, to help avoid the risk of root rot.
Typically, tropical hibiscus plants thrive best with 1 to 2 inches of water per week.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
Temperature and Humidity
The tropical hibiscus plant prefers average temperatures between 55 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.
After that, regular feeding with a diluted fish emulsion fertilizer will keep it blooming vigorously.
For the amount to use, follow product label instructions.
The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong
If there’s no chance of a freeze, prune in the fall.
In areas that get cold and where freezing is an issue, prune in spring.
Propagating Tropical Hibiscus
Propagating tropical hibiscususing cuttings gives you the exact same plant as the parent.
Douglas Peebles / Getty Images
Regular repotting helps ensure that the soil provides sufficient nutrition for the plant.
The ideal pot shape is quite wide but relatively shallow.
The best pot will be an unglazed clay material and have several draining holes (not just one).
Unglazed clay pots are porous and let water and air easily flow through the plant.
Meanwhile, in colder climates, they’re often planted in large containers as patio or deck specimens.
Bloom Months
Tropical hibiscus typically blooms in early summer between June and into fall.
What Does Tropical Hibiscus Flowers Look and Smell Like?
Tropical hibiscus flowers come in a variety of colors such as white, pink, red, orange.
The flowers do not have a scent.
Here are a two common issues to watch for.
Tropical hibiscus plants are relatively easy to care for as long as they get enough light and water.
It takes a lot of energy for a plant to create a beautiful hibiscus bloom.
However, once the bloom fades, a new one immediately takes its place.
Cooler weather may yield slightly longer blooms and newer hybrids have blooms that can last three days.
University of Minnesota Extension.
Nelson, Scot.Bacterial Leaf Spot of Hibiscus in Hawai’i.
University of Hawaii College of Tropical Agriculture and Human Resources.
