The Hibiscus plant is a perennial plant that produces beautiful flowers of different colors. It is basically a flowering plant. Hibiscus plant is also known as China rose in different countries. It is popularly known as Gudhal in India.
There are different uses of the hibiscus plant. The most popular use is hibiscus tea. It is also used in hair color, hair conditioner, sunscreen lotions as well as in shoe shine.
The leaves of this plant are of dark green color. Hibiscus plant comes with different variety bearing flowers of a different colors such as red, yellow, pink, white, magenta, purple-black, orange, etc.
The plant height can grow up to 15 feet if not pruned. Pruning is necessary yearly to make this plant bushy. Generally, this plant is grown from 1-3 feet if placed in a pot and up to 7-8 feet if planted in a garden. This is done to increase the beauty of this plant.
The plant can grow in small pots or on the ground. You can also make bonsai of hibiscus plant easily. It looks amazing when a bunch of flowers blooms on these bonsai. You can plant this bonsai in a shallow tray.
Hibiscus temperature requirements
The Hibiscus plant loves warm temperatures 25°C-35°C but can tolerate temperatures up to 48°C. This plant needs full sun for growth and for good flowering. The flowers bloom well under full sun. This plant goes dormant in the winter season.
This plant requires composting and manuring. You can add compost twice a year. The best time for composting is when the winter season going to end OR 2-3 months before the start of the winter season.
What kind of soil does hibiscus need?
Hibiscus needs slightly acidic soil. It provides good growing condition to the plant.
The soil mixture for the hibiscus plant can be made by adding an equal proportion of garden soil, sand, compost, leaf mold, or dry leaves. You can also add neem cake and bone meal. This guarantees the proper growth of plants and flowering.
How often to water hibiscus plant?
The Hibiscus plant requires daily watering since it is placed under full sun. You can water it every day if planted in a pot. You can water it on alternate days if planted in the ground.
When should a hibiscus be pruned?
The pruning of the hibiscus plants is common around the world. It is necessary to give a good shape to the plant. Pruning also helps in more flowering. The correct time for pruning a hibiscus plant is at the starting of the summer season OR in the rainy season.
How to get rid of bugs on hibiscus?
You might be tensed after seeing bugs attacking your hibiscus plant. The pests attack the hibiscus plant. These are often attacked by aphids, flies, mealybugs, etc.
You might be wondering how to get rid of white bugs on hibiscus?
This can be avoided by boosting plant immunity. You can increase plant immunity by adding compost twice a year. These pests cannot harm healthy plants easily.
You can also save your hibiscus plant from pests by spraying neem oil or neem water on the plant. This prevents pests from attacking plants.
In case your hibiscus plant is attacked by pests then you can spray soap solution on the plant. You can make a soap solution by adding 2 tablespoons of liquid soap to 1 litre of water. Once you spray soap solution to the affected part of the plant, leave it for 1 day and wash it in normal water. This will save your hibiscus plant from dying.
How to grow hibiscus plant from stem cutting?
The propagation of the hibiscus plant is very easy. It can be grown from pencil-thick plant cutting. You can multiply the number of hibiscus plants from the mother plant by cutting.
Cut a 6-inch pencil-thick cutting. Please cut at an angle of 45°. Add rooting hormone at one end of the cutting and place in the cocopeat.
Keep the plant cutting in shade. Wait for the roots to develop, Once roots grow, transfer this cutting to a pot. Your new hibiscus plant is ready.