Creating Your Dream Garden: Caring For Hibiscus Plants

hibiscus plant

When putting together your garden paradise,
it is always nice to have a little tropical flair to remind you of the sweet smell of the Caribbean.
 Is there anything more relaxing than lounging in your hammock and seeing the big, bright flowers of your very own hibiscus bush?
 Even if you live in the north, you too can have this wonderful experience without needing a lot of work nor expertise.

Planting your hibiscus

You can either plant your hibiscus in a container or directly in the ground, depending on where you live. If you live in climates where the temperatures fall below freezing (32° F), you will want to plant your hibiscus in a pot so that you can bring it inside when the temperatures start to drop.

If you do use a container, hibiscus plants favor a snug fit, which means the plant wants to be slightly root bound. It sounds a little counter-intuitive, but when you pot or repot a hibiscus, use a pot only slightly bigger than the original.
 If you are planning to grow your hibiscus outside, remember that they can become quite tall, so be sure to put it in a spot where this will not be an issue.

Watering

As a tropical plant, hibiscus love water. Especially in the blooming stage, when the weather is warm, you should water your hibiscus every day.
However, as the weather cools, be sure to avoid overwatering—the plant only needs water when the soil is dry to the touch. In general, a hibiscus plant likes to be kept moist but not wet.

Fertilizer

Because of how large the flowers are, a hibiscus plant needs a lot of energy to produce the signature blooms. Because of this, give your hibiscus fertilizer twice a month during the growing season.

Bugs

Every now and then, be sure to check your plant for signs of common garden bugs such as aphids and mealy bugs. If you find evidence of these pests, there are many horticulture or insecticide options to solve the problem, as well as many organic pest control options.

Benefits of a Hibiscus Plant

Aside from being beautiful and rewarding to grow, hibiscus plants can help create a healthy garden environment for all of your other plants as well. Due to the bright colors, hibiscus flowers attract hummingbirds, butterflies and other essential pollinators to your garden.

Additionally, hibiscus plants can be used to make a delightful and refreshing tea, which may have several health benefits. According to several recent research studies, hibiscus tea can help keep cholesterol and blood pressure in a healthy range. Many different tropical regions have been using hibiscus as a treatment for a wide variety of diseases and conditions for hundreds of years.

From the exquisite flowers to the beautiful butterflies to the on demand tea ingredients it provides, growing a hibiscus plant is well worth the minimal effort it requires. Even if you live in a cold area, you can bring the tropics into your life with your very own hibiscus plant.

Happy gardening!