Hibiscus Plants Will Beautify Your Home

Hibiscus plants are flowering, tropical shrubs that lend beauty and elegance to any landscape. Incredibly versatile, hibiscus can be planted in gardens, used as border plants or planted alone and groomed into small trees. Some gardeners in colder climates grow them inside their homes. Depending on the variety and the location, hibiscus range from just a couple of feet tall to 10-15 feet tall, and with a little care, will last for years.

Hibiscus are a type of flowering plant in the Malvaceae family. There are more than 200 varieties of hibiscus. The large, trumpet-shaped flowers are spectacular and come in a number of colors, including red, white, yellow and pink. Hibiscus plants are most commonly used as ornamental shrubs. In some locales they are planted to attract butterflies. Hibiscus is also used as an ingredient in some herbal teas, which have been shown in government tests to lower blood pressure. Some Indian cultures also value hibiscus for traditional medicinal purposes. And in Tahiti, a single hibiscus flower tucked behind a woman’s ear indicates she is unmarried.

Hibiscus Plants Can Grow Inside

Since they’re tropical plants, it’s best to plant hibiscus in areas that don’t typically get very cold winters. In climates that receive little or no frost, hibiscus can be planted in the ground. In colder climates it’s a good idea to plant them in pots, so that they can more easily be moved to a warmer location when the coldest weather sets in.

Because they do not tolerate freezing temperatures very well, many gardeners opt to grow hibiscus plants in containers, which allows them to move the plants out of harm’s way. Hibiscus plants produce flowers best in temperatures between 60 and 90 degrees. When they are blooming they require a good amount of water – gardeners sometimes find themselves watering their hibiscus daily. Once the weather cools they need less water. And during the winter many gardeners only water their hibiscus plants when the soil becomes dry. While the plants are blooming, experts say it’s a good idea to apply a high-potassium fertilizer.

In temperate zones, the most common variety planted is Hibiscus syriacus, which is also known as the "Rose of Althea" or "Rose of Sharon." In tropical and subtropical areas, Chinese hibiscus are most common.

The professionals at nurseries or a landscape design service can help you choose the best variety for your climate and location. Choose the best variety and location, and your hibiscus plants will reward you with beautiful flowers guaranteed to brighten any landscape.