Hibiscus

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

These bold and showy beauties will bring a touch of tropical lushness to any room, with their glossy and profuse foliage and swirling petals.

PLANT DOCTOR

Uneven leaves
A lack of leaf growth and uneven leaves are signs of an aphid attack (below). Check tips of shoots and buds for insects, and treat with a suitable insecticide.

Red spider mites
If the room is warm and the air dry, you may get an attack of red spider mites. Mist your plant frequently to discourage them and, if the attack is serious, use a suitable insecticide.

Bud drop
This occurs if there is a lack of light or your plant is too dry. Water it regularly and place it in a light position.
BUYER'S GUIDE

When to buy
Hibiscuses are usually available from garden centres from early spring to early autumn.

What to look for
The plant should look robust, with lots of new buds and healthy leaves.

Lifespan
Although it is often treated as a short-lived plant, the hibiscus can grow on for years.

Price
Relatively inexpensive.


This evergreen shrub comes from tropical Asia and flourishes in warm conditions. It has stems that become woody after a year or two. As well as sumptuous flowers, it has attractive, shining leaves.

The hibiscus’s flowers appear from late spring and bloom throughout the summer, lasting 1–3 days. They come in shades of white, pink, red, yellow, orange or beige and are usually large – about 8–13cm (3–5in) across. Some flowers are single, some semi-double, with more than one layer of petals, and others are fully double.

Size and growth
You can buy hibiscus plants in different sizes, though the usual height at which they are sold is from 15–30cm (6–12in). Hibiscuses are vigorous growers and can easily grow to 1.5m (5ft) if they are not cut back, so make sure that you prune them annually to control them. If you have the space, you may prefer to let your hibiscuses grow all year round, rather than let them have a dormant period when they stop growing. To encourage this, give them regular misting, watering and feeding and plenty of light; place plants in a west- or south-facing window to get the most light. They could grow to become large plants that will flower throughout most of the winter.

Display ideas
Hibiscuses create a bold effect with their lustrous dark-green foliage and vibrantly coloured, showy flowers. You could, perhaps, try setting these plants in bright floral china pots to match the colour of their flowers.



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