Chinese Hibiscus
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
An evergreen woody shrub featuring glossy, dark green alternate leaves with toothed margins and large, showy five-petaled flowers featuring a prominent central staminal column.
- Light
- Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering.
- Water
- Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Increase watering during hot summer months and reduce frequency slightly during the cooler winter season.
- Growth
- Perennial evergreen shrub with an upright, branching growth form, typically reaching mature heights of 4 to 15 feet and spreads of 5 to 10 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Care instructions
Provide full sun to partial shade with regular watering to keep the soil consistently moist but well-drained. Apply a balanced, slow-release fertilizer during the active growing season.
Growing details
Sunlight
Full sun to partial shade, requiring at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for optimal flowering.
Watering
Water thoroughly whenever the top inch of soil feels dry. Increase watering during hot summer months and reduce frequency slightly during the cooler winter season.
Soil
Rich, loamy, well-draining soil with a slightly acidic to neutral pH range of 6.0 to 6.5.
Hardiness zone
USDA Hardiness Zones 9 through 11, requiring frost protection in cooler climates.
Growth habit
Perennial evergreen shrub with an upright, branching growth form, typically reaching mature heights of 4 to 15 feet and spreads of 5 to 10 feet with a moderate growth rate.
Bloom season
Blooms continuously throughout warm weather months with large, funnel-shaped flowers in shades of red, pink, orange, yellow, or white.
Propagation
Propagated primarily through stem tip cuttings taken in spring or summer, treated with rooting hormone and kept in high humidity until roots develop.
Common pests & issues
Susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites, particularly when kept in dry indoor environments. Prevent by maintaining adequate humidity and treat with insecticidal soap if infestations occur.
Similar species
Althea (Hibiscus syriacus), which differs by being a deciduous shrub better adapted to colder hardiness zones with smaller, differently shaped leaves.