Is there any flower that says “tropical paradise” quite like hibiscus? With their huge, vibrant flowers, these stunning plants bring a touch of the exotic to any garden, patio, or balcony. Growing a beautiful hibiscus bush is a wonderful way to add a big splash of color to your outdoor space, and it’s easier than you might think!

The first step is getting to know the hibiscus family. Once you understand the simple needs of the different types, you’ll find that providing great hibiscus care is a breeze. Let's get to know these amazing plants and find the perfect one for you.

In this article, we’ll cover:

• Getting to know the three main types of hibiscus
• Choosing the best place and time to plant
• How to plant hibiscus in the ground and in containers
• Your guide to hibiscus care, including watering and feeding
• Tips for pruning to get more flowers
• How to propagate hibiscus to make new plants
• Overwintering your tropical hibiscus indoors
• Understanding the hibiscus hardiness zone

Getting to Know the Hibiscus Family

There are three main types of hibiscus, and while they all love the sun and put on a spectacular show, they have different personalities, which means there’s a perfect one for your garden, no matter where you live.

Tropical Hibiscus 

When you picture a flower tucked behind someone's ear in Hawaii, you’re thinking of a tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). These beauties are famous for their glossy, deep green leaves and incredibly vibrant hibiscus flowers in shades of orange, yellow, pink, and even multi-toned sunsets. They have a long blooming season but are true warm-weather fans, only able to live outdoors year-round in the warmest parts of the country. For everyone else, they make fantastic container plants that can spend the summer on the patio and the winter indoors. You can sometimes find them pruned into a hibiscus tree shape, which makes a stunning centerpiece.

Perennial Hibiscus 

Also known as hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos), these are the champions of cold climates. A perennial hibiscus is a tough plant that dies back to the ground each winter and returns with fresh new growth in the spring. They are famous for their absolutely enormous flowers—some are as big as dinner plates!—in shades of white, pink, and deep red. This impressive hibiscus bush can get quite large, so it makes a wonderful statement in a sunny garden bed.

Rose of Sharon 

The most shrub-like of the group, Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a woody plant that loses its leaves in the fall. It's a low-maintenance and reliable grower that produces tons of smaller but still beautiful flowers in shades of pink, purple, and white. Because they grow so tall and dense, they are often planted together to create a gorgeous flowering hedge that pollinators absolutely love.

Choosing Where and When to Plant Your Hibiscus

Finding the right spot is the key to happy hibiscus. Here’s what each type needs to thrive.

• For Tropical Hibiscus: These sun-lovers do best in containers, which makes it easy to give them the warmth they crave. Wait until nighttime temperatures are reliably above 50°F before moving them outside for the summer. They need moist but well-draining soil, so a good-quality potting mix is perfect for them. If you live where it gets very hot, they’ll appreciate a little afternoon shade.
• For Perennial Hibiscus: These plants love moisture, so they’re a great choice for a sunny spot in the garden that tends to stay a little damp. Planting them in the spring gives their root system a full season to get established. Improving your garden soil with some compost or rich garden soil will give them a fantastic start.
• For Rose of Sharon: This adaptable hibiscus bush is less picky about its location and can handle a range of soil types, as long as the spot is sunny and the soil drains well. Keep in mind that it can grow quite large—often up to 8 to 12 feet tall and 6 to 10 feet wide—so be sure to give it plenty of room to shine! You can plant Rose of Sharon in either the spring or the fall.

How to Plant Your Hibiscus

Ready to get your hands dirty? Here’s how to give your new plant a great home.

Planting in the Garden (Perennial Hibiscus and Rose of Sharon):

When you're figuring out how deep to plant hibiscus, the main goal is to ensure the plant sits at the same level it did in its pot.

1. Dig a hole that is twice as wide as the plant’s pot and just as deep.
2. Gently remove the plant from its container and place it in the hole, making sure the top of the rootball is level with the ground.
3. Fill the hole back in with a 50:50 mixture of all-purpose garden soil and your native soil to give the roots a nutrient-rich environment.
4. Water deeply right after planting.

Planting Tropical Hibiscus in Containers:

1. Choose a pot that’s just 1 to 2 inches wider than the one the plant came in.
2. Fill the bottom of the pot with a high-quality moisture control potting mix, which helps protect against both over- and underwatering.
3. Gently place the plant in the pot so the top of its rootball is about an inch below the rim.
4. Fill in around the sides with more potting mix and water it well.

Your Guide to Hibiscus Care

How much water for hibiscus? 

All hibiscus types need to be watered every couple of days for the first few weeks after planting to help them get settled.

• Perennial hibiscus loves water. Water them twice a week for the first season, and once a week after that. It's tough to give them too much water.
• Tropical hibiscus in pots should be kept consistently moist. Check the soil every day or two by sticking your finger in an inch deep—if it’s dry, it’s time to water. Remember, containers can dry out much faster than garden beds, especially on sunny or windy days.
• Rose of Sharon is quite drought-tolerant once it's established, but will still appreciate a good, deep watering during dry spells.

When do hibiscus bloom? 

With the right care, you'll be rewarded with a spectacular show. Tropical hibiscus and Rose of Sharon typically bloom from summer through fall, while perennial hibiscus saves its energy for a truly stunning display in mid to late summer.

To get the most out of that blooming season, it’s important to feed your plants. About a month after planting, start giving your hibiscus a regular meal with a plant food that’s specially formulated to promote lots of big, colorful flowers. This will give them the energy they need to keep producing those incredible blooms.

Pruning for More Flowers 

A little trim at the right time can encourage even more hibiscus flowers.

• For tropical hibiscus: simply snap off the old flowers right after they fade. You can also give the plant a light trim in the summer to help shape it.
• For perennial hibiscus: you can pinch back the stems by about a third in early summer to encourage the plant to branch out. This will result in a fuller plant with even more of those incredible, dinner plate-sized flowers. Then, in the spring, simply cut back the old, dead stalks from the previous year once you see new growth emerging.
• For Rose of Sharon: you should prune in late winter or early spring to maintain its shape and size, much like you would with any other woody shrub.

Making More Hibiscus: A Guide to Propagation

Love your hibiscus so much you wish you had more? You’re in luck! Propagating is a fun and rewarding way to create new plants to expand your garden or share with friends. Here’s how to do it:

1. Take a cutting. In the spring or early summer, find a healthy, new-growth branch and snip off a 4- to 6-inch piece from the tip. Make your cut just below a leaf node (the spot where a leaf grows).
2. Prep your cutting. Gently remove all but the top two or three leaves from the stem. If you like, you can dip the cut end in a rooting hormone to speed things along.
3. Give it a good start. Plant the cut end about 2 inches deep in a small pot filled with a light and fluffy seed starting mix, which provides the perfect balance of moisture and aeration for new roots to form. Water it gently.
4. Create a mini-greenhouse. To keep the humidity high, which helps the cutting develop roots, you can cover the pot with a clear plastic bag. Just make sure the bag doesn’t touch the leaves.
5. Be patient. Place the pot in a warm spot with bright, indirect light. It can take a couple of months for roots to form. You’ll know it’s working when you see new leaf growth and feel a little resistance when you gently tug on the stem.

Don't be discouraged if it doesn't work on the first try—it's all part of the gardening adventure! Try starting a few cuttings at once to increase your chances of success.

Hibiscus Hardiness Zones 

It’s so important to know your zone! Tropical hibiscus can only survive the winter outdoors in the frost-free zones 10-12. Perennial hibiscus is much tougher, thriving in zones 4-9, while Rose of Sharon is comfortable in zones 5-9.

Giving Your Tropical Hibiscus a Winter Vacation

If you live in a climate with cold winters, your tropical hibiscus will need to come inside for a cozy vacation. Here’s how to get it ready for its move indoors:

1. Time it right. Plan to bring your plant inside before the first frost, ideally when nighttime temperatures start dipping into the upper 50°F.
2. Give it a little trim. Before you move it, trim the plant back by about a third. This makes it a more manageable size for its indoor space.
3. Leave the bugs behind. Give the leaves and stems a good shower with the hose to wash off any pests that might want to come inside with it. Be sure to check under the leaves and in the crevices for common culprits like aphids or spider mites.
4. Find a good spot. Place your hibiscus in a room where it will get plenty of bright, indirect light, like near a south-facing window.
5. Let it rest. Your plant will go into a semi-dormant phase over the winter, so it won’t need as much water. Let the soil dry out almost completely between waterings. Don't be alarmed if your hibiscus drops some (or even all) of its leaves. This is a normal part of its winter rest, and it will grow fresh new leaves in the spring when it's ready to head back outdoors.

Whether you choose a hardy perennial hibiscus to brave the winter or a tropical hibiscus tree for your sunny patio, there's a perfect variety for you. Now you have all the tips you need to grow your own little piece of paradise.