Planting - How Hibiscus Arrives
When you receive your Hardy Hibiscus plant from American Meadows, it could look like a pot of soil with sticks. Seems disappointing, but looks are deceiving because actually there is a thriving strong root system below the soil. The hibiscus is dormant and hasn’t emerged yet. We want you to successfully grow and care for your Hardy Hibiscus. To start planting, there are a few growing conditions to consider before planting.
Planting Needs
Hardy Hibiscus thrives best in well drained soil, amended with organic matter. Hibiscus prefers acidic soil. To add acidity to your soil, add Peat moss or potting soil to your garden. If your soil is mostly clay, consider planting Hibiscus in a raised bed, this helps to eliminate water buildup. The best time to plant Hardy Hibiscus is after all danger of frost has passed. To plant, dig a hole double the size of the pot and set the plant in, the crown of the plant should rest just at or above the soil surface. Press the new loose dirt around the plant and water. If you water and the base of the plant shows, add more soil. If you are planting multiple Hibiscus, space plants 2 to 3 ft apart in the garden. Although the plant maybe small, these beauties reach 48” – 72” Tall.
Location and Light
Hardy Hibiscus is slow to emerge in cold springs or early summers, so be patient. Hardy Hibiscus does best in full sun. They will grow in partial shade, but growth and flowering will suffer. If you live in areas with very hot summers, during the hottest part of the day, Hibiscus may need shade. Hibiscus should be planted along, or in the back of perennial flower beds.
After Planting Care for Years of Growth
Fertilizer
Hibiscus needs lots of nutrients. There are a few ways to fertilize Hibiscus. One option is in the spring; apply a layer of compost around the base of the plant. Or apply fertilizer with 10-4-12, 9-3-13 or 10-10-10 around the base of the hibiscus. Be careful not to add too much fertilizer, too much phosphorous will kill hibiscus.
Temperature
Hibiscus is hardy to zone 5. Hardy hibiscus benefits from warm temperatures for bud growth, so if it’s a cold spring or summer, growth will be slower. To keep Hibiscus warm apply a layer of mulch to protect Hibiscus in the winter and early spring.
Watering
Hibiscus needs both moist and well drained soil. If Hibiscus dries out to much it will drop all its foliage and will look like a bunch of dead sticks. When this happens don’t stress, it will re-bud, it’s the Hibiscus protecting its roots system. It’s important to not over water or underwater. If you are growing hibiscus in a container, plant your hibiscus in a pot with adequate drainage holes. Otherwise if Hibiscus is in water to long, its root will begin to rot.
Pruning
Hibiscus don’t need to be pruned, but you may choose to shape Hibiscus by cutting back old growth in late fall or winter depending on your location. Otherwise Hibiscus produces new growth every year from the ground up. To encourage branching and more flower stalks, prune in early summer when Hibiscus has started to grow.
FAQs
Hardy Hibiscus thrives best in well drained soil, amended with organic matter. Hibiscus prefers acidic soil. To add acidity to your soil, add Peat moss or potting soil to your garden. If your soil is mostly clay, consider planting Hibiscus in a raised bed, this helps to eliminate water buildup.
How do you take care of a hardy hibiscus plant? ›
Hardy hibiscus plants do not like to dry out too much. In fact, they can take quite a bit of water and can grow in marshy conditions as well. If your region does not have natural rainfall throughout the growing season, supplement by watering deeply two or three times per week—especially during the first growing season.
What is the best fertilizer for hardy hibiscus? ›
The ratio we have found to be the best is the one we use in our HVH Special Blend Fertilizer: 17-5-24. This is the fertilizer we developed for our own hibiscus, after much trial and error. You don't need this exact ratio, but you do need this pattern of Medium Nitrogen (N) - Low Phosphorus (P) - High Potassium (K).
Do you cut back hardy hibiscus? ›
In spring, cut back any remaining stems before new growth appears. Do not trim back in fall. A strong pair of loppers or a saw will be necessary to cut this plant back. Be advised that Hibiscus is always one of the last perennials to emerge in spring.
What kind of soil do hardy hibiscus like? ›
Hibiscus grows best in slightly acidic soil that has a pH between 6.5 and 6.8. Prior to planting, determine your soil's pH by testing it. If necessary, apply amendments to alter pH. Increase pH by using Pennington Fast Acting Lime, and decrease pH by applying soil sulfur.
Do hibiscus like coffee grounds? ›
Coffee grounds, crushed banana peels or tea grounds mixed in with the soil will provide a good supply of everything your hibiscus needs. You can alternatively water with liquid manure or decoction from plant residues or vegetable water.
What killed my hardy hibiscus? ›
If a hibiscus bloom is trapped by leaves and stems from falling, and instead remains in contact with a stem, it can cause the stem to rot. This happens much more often in the cool wetness of fall and winter when fungus such as Botrytis are active.
Is Miracle-Gro good for hibiscus? ›
Beginning a month after planting, feed hibiscus regularly with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Bloom Booster® Flower Food, which was specially developed to encourage lots of colorful blooms. Using the Miracle-Gro® Garden Feeder makes feeding super-easy, but you can also mix the food in a watering can instead if you prefer.
How do I get my hardy hibiscus to bloom more? ›
The plant blooms best in full sun, so increase sun exposure if you think that might be a factor. Also, make certain the soil is moist at all times to support the growth of the plant. Hardy hibiscus blooms on new growth, but pinching the plants too late in summer or pruning severely can delay blooming.
Does Epsom salt help hibiscus bloom? ›
Since these are factors that can affect flower development and health, the use of Epsom salt for hibiscuses helps support the production and maintenance of flowers. A solution of one tbs of Epsom salt to one gallon of water can be used monthly to give your hibiscus a boost.
The perennial hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus coccineus and Hibiscus moscheutos) die back to the ground each winter and send up new growth in spring. They are hardy in zones 4 or 5 through 9 and slow to emerge in spring. I had to wait until early July one season, so be patient.
What month do you prune hibiscus? ›
When to prune hibiscus? Whether it is common hibiscus, rose hibiscus or giant hibiscus, the best time for pruning is in late winter or early spring.
Do hardy hibiscus like Epsom salt? ›
A good fertilizer ratio for hibiscus is 12-4-18 or a “high bloom” water-soluble fertilizer. Slow-release granular fertilizers, like Osmocote, can be used in combination with water soluble fertilizer when irrigating. Magnesium sulfate, also called Epsom salt, gives hibiscus foliage a good dark green color.
Are eggshells good for hibiscus? ›
Fertilizing your hibiscus plant is extremely important as it will provide food for your plant that will make it beautiful. It's easy to make hibiscus fertilizer using household items such as coffee grounds, egg shells or dirty fish tank water. All these solutions are cheap and nutrient filled.
Can I use regular potting soil for hibiscus? ›
It can also contain harmful pathogens that can cause disease. Soil for hibiscus in pots should consist of a high-quality soilless potting mix or potting soil that contains materials such as peat moss, perlite, vermiculite or coco coir, which are lighter and will improve drainage.
Is Miracle Grow good for hardy hibiscus? ›
Beginning a month after planting, feed hibiscus regularly with Miracle-Gro® Water Soluble Bloom Booster® Flower Food, which was specially developed to encourage lots of colorful blooms. Using the Miracle-Gro® Garden Feeder makes feeding super-easy, but you can also mix the food in a watering can instead if you prefer.
Do hardy hibiscus come back every year? ›
Hibiscus don't need to be pruned, but you may choose to shape Hibiscus by cutting back old growth in late fall or winter depending on your location. Otherwise Hibiscus produces new growth every year from the ground up.
Do hardy hibiscus do well in pots? ›
Hardy hibiscus plants will eventually need to be planted in the ground, though dwarf varieties such as Lil' Kim® may be kept in larger pots even when they reach their full size. When grown in USDA zones 10-12, tropical hibiscus varieties may also be transplanted into the ground when they become larger.
