Hibiscus or Rosemallow is a large genus of about 200-220 species of flowering plants in the family Malvaceae, native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants, and woody shrubs and small trees. The leaves are alternate, simple, ovate to lanceolate, often with a toothed or lobed margin. The flowers are large, conspicuous, trumpet-shaped, with five petals, ranging from white to pink, red, purple or yellow, and from 4-15 cm broad. The fruit is a dry five-lobed capsule, containing several seeds in each lobe, which are released when the capsule splits open at maturity.
Many of these species are grown for their showy flowers and many are used as landscape shrubs. Hibiscus syriacus (Mugunghwa or “Rose of Sharon”) is the national flower of South Korea, while Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Bunga Raya or “Chinese hibiscus”) is the national flower of Malaysia. The ma‘o hau hele (Hibiscus brackenridgei) is the state flower of Hawai‘i.
In temperate zones, probably the most commonly grown ornamental species is Hibiscus syriacus, the common garden Hibiscus, also known in some areas as the “Rose of Althea” or “Rose of Sharon” (but not to be confused with the unrelated Hypericum calycinum, also called “Rose of Sharon”). In tropical and subtropical areas, the Chinese hibiscus (H. rosa-sinensis), with its many showy hybrids, is the most popular hibiscus.
Hibiscus species are used as food plants by the larvae of some Lepidoptera species including Chionodes hibiscella, Hypercompe hambletoni, The Nutmeg and Turnip Moth.
Hibiscus growing
Healthy, fertilized plants are more tolerant of insect attacks. Be sure plants are well watered before applying chemicals. The best time to spray for insects is in the morning or evening (temperature under 80) and be sure to cover the undersides of leaves. For heavy or consistent infestations, spray every 5-7 days (4 applications) to break the life cycle. Add water soluble fertilizer and unscented liquid detergent soap to your mixture when spraying. Check for other host plants in the area that may be re-infesting your plants. Orthene and soap will control most Hibiscus pests. The honey like secretion of several insects can attract a black ’sooty mold.’ While unsightly, the mold does little damage and will disappear once you treat the cause. Newly bought nursery grown plants may need to be allowed to adjust to new conditions in your yard. Grown in partial shade and well fertilized, they need to be introduced to full sun over a 7-10 day period and kept well fertilized. Plant in at least 50% sun. Rotate insecticides for best results. Never use Malathion on Hibiscus. Strong dry winds can burn leaves but they will recover.
Hibiscus problemsÂ
Aphids and ants
Aphids (green, black or brown) are soft bodied sucking insects that can be controlled with liquid soap (1 tablespoon per gallon) or a high pressure hose. Orthene and soap for infestations. Ants farm aphids for a honey like secretion they produce. No aphids, no ants. Use a strong water spray to the underside of leaves to dislodge and control most insects.
Spider mites
Most spider mites are too tiny to be seen without the aid of a magnifying glass. Their webs may or may not be noticeable. Leaves will develop weak looking pale to yellow splotches on the top while the undersides will develop pimple like bumps to scabby areas. Miticides or fine oils need to be applied several times (4) to break the life cycle.
Mealy bugs
Orthene and soap will usually control these soft bodied sucking insects. Mist with alcolgol spray. It dissolves their protective waxy cover.
White fly
Hibiscus dandruff. Orthene and Murphy’s Oil soap will help control these deadly pests. They are on the underside of leaves and 4 applications may be needed.
Scale
These sucking insects are best treated in the Spring when they are young and moving about. The most common is the small white scale that starts at the base of the trunk and works up. Orthene and a fine oil; a weak solution of bleach and a tooth brush; or a light spraying with Pam or WD-40 will also work.
Yellowing leaves
This can be a sign of stress or even natural growth. Causes can be too much water or not enough water – too much fertilizer or not enough – or insect damage. Check for insects and reverse whatever else you are doing or not doing.
Bud drop
This can be caused by stress but it is usually a small insect called a thrip. The thrip girdles the flower’s calyx stem where it connects to the base stem. Orthene and soap will help control thrips.
Hibiscus freeze and wind damage
Hibiscus are tropical plants and do not tolerate cold weather. Well watered and fertilized plants will fare better. Blankets, cardboard or a thick layer of mulch or straw will help. Do not spray to ice over the plants as this will kill them. Plastic, while better than nothing, is poor protection. Do not prune until Spring and prune into living tissue.
Hibiscus pruning
Hibiscus can be pruned any time of the year except late fall and winter. New growth is more susceptible to freeze damage. Expect blooms on the new growth in about 3 months. Use sharp, clean and good quality pruning shears and cut just above (1/4 inch) an eye that is pointing in the direction you want the new growth to go.
Hibiscus container grown plants
Use a loose soil (1/4 perlite) and do not let water stand in the saucer as they must drain well. Frequent use of water soluble fertilizer and light use of traditional granular fertilizer is best. When ‘potting up’ prune both the plant and the roots to promote new balanced growth. If placed indoors, mist or use a humidifier and place in a sunny location.
Hibiscus soil and fertilizing
Loose well drained soil is preferred to prevent root rot. Fertilize lightly and often. Balanced fertilizer with trace elements such as 10-10-10 work well. Foliar feeding with water soluble fertilizer (and soap) can be applied weekly. Keep mulch 2 inches from the trunk.
Hibiscus winter proofing
Up North your hibiscus plants will need to be brought inside for the Winter. In the deeper south, like Florida, you may only have to cover your plants to protect them from a light frost. When Winter approaches, it is a good idea to use a fertilizer like 2-10-10 to harden up your hibiscus plants.
Hibiscus uses
One species of Hibiscus, known as Kenaf (Hibiscus cannabinus), is extensively used in paper making. Another, roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is used as a vegetable and to make herbal teas and jams (especially in the Caribbean). In Mexico, the jamaica drink is quite popular and is made from calyces of the roselle plant. In Egypt and Sudan, roselle petals are used to make a beloved tea named after the plant, karkade, which can be served hot or chilled with ice.
Extracts of some hibiscus species are claimed to have health benefits, including prevention of constipation, bladder infections and nausea, and high blood pressure. The studies that yielded these results are debated. An unspecified hibiscus plant is used to make a herbal tea, typically blended with rosehip.
The bark of the hibiscus contains strong fibers. They can be obtained by letting the stripped bark sit in the sea for some time in order to let the organic material rot away. In Polynesia these fibers (fau, purau) are used for making grass skirts.
The City of Hibiscus is another name for the city of Chengdu in China.
The Hibiscus flower is Honolulu’s state flower.
Some Hibiscus species and cultivars such as ‘Texas Star’ look superficially similar to marijuana at a glance. This led to a police raid in one instance.
[...] You have to take care of your pot flowers and plants in spring. There are some practices for you to follow in this period. • Spring cut. It consists of chopping from the insertion point the small branches or springs of which position or vigor you don’t like. This is a procedure for shrub plants as Hibiscus, Ficus, Dracaena, Codiaeum, Yucca etc. • Propagation. It’s good to propagate the plant at the beginning of the vegetation period. According to the species, the propagation is made by sprigs (Earring, Geranium), by stem (Yucca, Philodendron, Colocasia), by leaves (African violet, Begonia, Sansevieria) or by cuttings (Hortensia, Ficus). • Changing the soil above. It’s a must to do that, because the plant needs some fresh and reach soil to start a new vegetation period. Using a shovel, avert the existing soil for 2-6 cm in deep, saving the roots well then add the new soil. • Pinching the sprig. It will last the blooming, but the plant grows well and healthy. • Transplantation. It has to be done in spring, if not in March, April is the last month, because it’s good to happen before the vegetation period. According to the age of the plant, you have to transplant it once in 2 years, for the young plants and once in 4-6 years, for the full-grown ones. If you use a new clay pot, leave it in water for a half hour and, if it’s an old pot, clean it well. So gag the base of the clay pot with a crock from an old pot then add a 2-4 cm coating of sand, which will help the drainage. There comes a little soil – our advice is to give your plant the type of soil that it needs – and then put the plant and fill the pot with soil, covering well the roots. [...]
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