Hibiscus Rosa-Sinensis
One of the most common plants that have double function of interior and exterior decoration is the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis . Among their common names we have the hibiscus, rose of China, cardinals, flower of the kiss and peaceful. It is a shrubby plant and has polyvalent flowers. It is widely used for decoration and grown in nurseries. It serves for interiors and exteriors and in each case different cultivation and care techniques are needed.
We will discuss everything related to the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis and the care it requires. Do you want to know about it?
Main characteristics
It is a plant native to China and belongs to the Malvaceae family. It is a cosmopolitan plant that can be found in the gardens of practically everyone . The only limitation is that the climate is somewhat warmer with mild winters. In places with a much colder climate is used indoors.
Its leaf is of perennial type and in good conditions it can reach up to 3 meters of height. The shape of the leaves can vary depending on the species. They are arranged alternately and you can see dark green leaves but with a totally bright appearance. These characteristics gives it a great decorative advantage and that without mentioning its flowers.
The flowers they have are large and trumpet shaped. Varies the number of petals but the most common are simple or double. The appearance of the flowers and the set of leaves has been experimented with various combinations for decoration in gardening.
These plants have a capsule-shaped fruit that contains several seeds. We can find this plant in almost any nursery or florist’s shop . As we have said before, climate is the limiting factor in the area of distribution. If it is more temperate or warm in general, we can buy without any problem this plant throughout the year. On the contrary, if the climate is characteristic of colder winter, it can only be indoors, since it does not resist frost well. In these cases, they can only be taken outdoors in the months of May to October.
Requirements of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
To have them indoors, it is necessary to have a pot that is between 12 and 16 cm in diameter. It is not too big but it does allow the roots to develop correctly. No need to worry about space since they do not take up much. They are compact plants and the dark green foliage with the large number of flowers they have during their warm season, will help beautify any corner of the house.
If on the contrary, we want to have it as an outdoor plant, we will need a little more space, because the plant acquires greater size. Normally the most common specimens that are usually sold in florists and nurseries reach 40 centimeters . In the case of being in the garden they will have a bushy bearing more sprouting. The branches become longer and the foliage does not have that intense dark green color. The only problem of having them outdoors is that their flowers are scarcer. The reason why the color, the compaction and the foliage is modified is due to the fact that when the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is grown as an indoor plant, a dwarf is used in its care. This means that all their development varies and is modified to the pot format.
Growing trees in the form of a tree is also quite elegant and attractive to beautify entrances to houses or even some patios. If we put them in these areas to decorate, it is better not to put them in areas where the wind acts frequently or the glasses will break. Faced with this situation, the ideal is to place a tutor to help them stay firm.
Necessary care as an indoor plant
If we want to have the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis as an indoor plant we should know that it has a short rest in winter. The rest of the year will continue to grow and in the warmer months will have an extraordinary flowering.
As soon as you buy it, you can leave it in its pot for almost a whole year . The maintenance you need is a little fertilizer and some phytosanitary treatment, if you need it. The fertilizer used is the universal liquid that is added only when we water it. In the warmer months of the year you will need lower doses but more frequent (more or less once a week) and in winter you will have to pay it every 20 days approximately, but with higher doses.
It is not necessary to transplant it to another bigger pot until after the first year. The time in which we will transplant it will be in the spring . This is done because the temperatures are higher and do not have to adapt to the cold of winter. It is easier for it to grow more and flourish in the warm season than in the cold season.
We must place it in the area of the brightest room. If we do not give it the light it requires, its flowering will be much reduced. It is possible that if moisture does not keep well is attacked by aphids or whitefly . We just have to use insecticides.
Necessary care as outdoor plant
In the garden we can get this plant to have a shrubby appearance. It can be planted alone or with a companion. It is perfect to create some walls or hedges if they are lined up and pruned frequently to give them shape.
We must bear in mind that in order to plant them abroad we have had to buy the suitable specimen for it. The copies of interiors carry the enanizante that modify all their characteristics. You need a location in full sun and with enough space so that you can develop everything possible in height.
If we know that in our garden there are frequent frosts, it is better not to plant it. It needs fresh and fertile soils to be able to develop well. Irrigation will be necessary to keep the humidity enough so as not to flood it. It is necessary to add a balanced fertilizer of microelements so that it does not have chlorosis if the soil is more alkaline.
I hope that with this information you can know more about the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis.
I am Don Burke, one of the authors at My Garden Guide. I am a horticulturist that cultivates, grows, and cares for plants, ranging from shrubs and fruits to flowers. I do it in my own garden and in my nursery. I show you how to take care of your garden and how to perform garden landscaping in an easy way, step by step.I am originally from Sydney and I wrote in local magazines. Later on, I have decided, more than two decades ago, to create my own blog. My area of specialization is related to orchid care, succulent care, and the study of the substrate and the soil. Therefore, you will see many articles dedicated to these disciplines. I also provide advice about how to improve the landscape design of your garden.
