How to Grow Hibiscus

There are many species of Hibiscus that can be grown in Australia. Some of these include:

Chinese Hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), often referred to as tropical or Hawaiian Hibiscus, is the most common Hibiscus seen in Australian gardens. This species is suitable for frost-free temperate to tropical climates. Best grown in full sun, it is evergreen and slightly salt tolerant but prefers protection from strong winds. Growing up to six metres tall, with dense leafy stems, they are great to use as screening or hedging plants. Flowering from late spring and through summer in most locations, their showy blooms include a wide range of colours including yellow, red, orange, pink, white, lilac and multi-tones, as well as flowers with double or ruffled petals.

Syrian Rose Hibiscus (H. syriacus) is another common Hibiscus seen in Australian gardens. Also known as the Rose of Sharon, this hardy Hibiscus is best grown in full sun and being deciduous is more tolerant of cold climates, but still also performs well in warmer and temperate climates. The original type has purple flowers, but there are now varieties available with peach, pink, white and multi-coloured flowers. Producing masses of flowers predominately in summer, most plants grow to around three metres tall, and can be grown as a hedge, feature or screening plant. 

Cottonwood (H. tiliaceus), also known as Sea Hibiscus, is grown mainly as a small tree and can reach up to 10 metres in height in the right environment. This Australian native tree produces lots of large bright yellow flowers in summer that all have that defining red centre. Suited to frost-free temperate to tropical climates, this plant can tolerate salty areas and very sandy soils.

There are many Hibiscus native to Australia, including Alyogyne huegelii and A. hakeifolia. Available in a range of colours and leaf textures, these native Hibiscus are great for native, cottage and shrub gardens, for that additional burst of colour in summer.

Choose a spot with well-drained soil in a garden that receives at least six hours of direct sunlight or part shade (depending on the species).

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the Hibiscus plant from the container and gently tease the roots. Enrich the soil in the planting hole with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. It's rich in organic matter to improve the soil and provides the new plant with gentle, slow-release nutrients as it establishes. If the soil is heavy clay, also mix Yates Gypsum Clay Breaker Soil Improver Granules into the soil.

Position the root ball in the hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised or doughnut-shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots.

Keep the soil moist as the plant establishes. Applying a layer of mulch, like Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, around the root zone will help retain soil moisture. Keep the mulch away from direct contact with the trunk or stems.

Water deeply, one to two times a week, depending on weather conditions. For deciduous Hibiscus, watering can be reduced during winter while they're leafless and dormant. To promote healthy growth and flowering, feed Hibiscus every eight weeks from spring to autumn with a flower fertiliser like Yates Dynamic Lifter Roses & Flowers Plant Food Pellets. For Australian native Hibiscus, feed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food & Soil Improver Pellets every spring and autumn, which is safe for Australian native plants. 

Compact and dwarf varieties of Hibiscus make gorgeous potted plants. So, small space and balcony gardeners can still enjoy a colourful touch of the tropics! The plant tag will provide information on its suitability for growing in a pot. 

Choose a pot at least 500mm wide. Position in full sun to part shade (depending on the species).

Part fill the pot with a quality potting mix like Yates Premium Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter. Remove the plant from the container and gently tease out the outer roots.

Place the root ball on the potting mix and backfill around the roots with more potting mix. The final level of mix should be at the same as the level currently around the plant. 

Keep the potting mix consistently moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes. Applying an organic mulch, like Yates Dynamic Lifter 4 in 1 Mulch, around the root zone will help retain potting mix moisture levels. Keep the mulch away from direct contact with the trunk or stems.

Water potted Hibiscus thoroughly, two to three times a week, depending on weather conditions. For deciduous Hibiscus, watering can be reduced during winter while they're leafless and dormant.

To promote healthy plants and flowering, feed potted Hibiscus every eight weeks from spring to autumn with a flower fertiliser like Yates Dynamic Lifter Roses & Flowers Plant Food Pellets. For Australian native Hibiscus, feed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food & Soil Improver Pellets every spring and autumn, which is safe for Australian native plants.

Hibiscus are quite drought tolerant once established, but the plants will perform best in moist soil.

Hibiscus prefer growing in full sun but will also tolerate part shade (though flowering may be reduced). Check the tag of your chosen Hibiscus for information on its preferred amount of sun. 

Pruning depends on the variety and type of Hibiscus. 

For evergreen tropical Hibiscus, prune stems back by up to a third after flowering has finished. For Australian native Hibiscus, prune back lightly after flowering. For deciduous Hibiscus (Rose of Sharon), prune stems back to the desired height in late winter before new leaves have emerged.  Dwarf Hibiscus, which are naturally compact, may require little pruning. 

To promote healthy growth and lots of flowers, feed Hibiscus every eight weeks from spring to autumn with a flower fertiliser like Yates Dynamic Lifter Roses & Flowers Plant Food Pellets. For Australian native Hibiscus, feed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food & Soil Improver Pellets every spring and autumn, which is safe for Australian native plants.

Hibiscus plants can flower for several months, though the individual flowers may be short lived.

Yes! To grow more Hibiscus plants, take cuttings during late spring and early summer, from leafy stems that haven't flowered. Visit here for more information on growing plants from cuttings.

Hibiscus are prone to various sap-sucking pests such as Aphids, Whitefly, Leafhopper, Scale Insects, and Mealy Bug. These pests suck out the plant juices, causing the stems and leaves to curl and wilt. Then also excrete a sticky substance known as honeydew that encourages the disease Sooty Mould.

As soon as Aphids, Thrips, Whitefly, Leafhopper, Mealy Bugs or Sooty Mould are noticed on your Hibiscus, spray the pests directly with Yates Advanced Garden Insect Killer.

Caterpillars, Snails and Slugs, and Beetles including the Hibiscus Flower Beetle.

As soon as caterpillars are noticed, if there's only a few, pick them off by hand. For larger infestations, spray with Yates Advanced Garden Insect Killer.

To control Snails and Slugs, sprinkle Yates Snail & Slug Bait around the base of the plant.

To make traps for Hibiscus flower beetles, set out a few white or yellow ice cream containers and place them underneath the plants, half-filled with soapy water. Check traps every few days or so, empty and refill.

There are a few reasons why Hibiscus leaves go yellow, including lack of nutrients, incorrect soil pH, pest infestation or tropical plants growing in colder climates. Deciduous Hibiscus leaves will naturally turn yellow before falling in late autumn and winter.  

To supply Hibiscus with the right blend of nutrients, feed Hibiscus every eight weeks from spring to autumn with a flower fertiliser like Yates Dynamic Lifter Roses & Flowers Plant Food Pellets. For Australian native Hibiscus, feed with Yates Dynamic Lifter Organic Plant Food & Soil Improver Pellets every spring and autumn, which is safe for Australian native plants.

Check the pH of your soil and adjust with Yates Lime & Dolomite Soil Improver Granules or Yates Sulfur Soil Improver Granules to bring the pH to around 6-6.5.

Most Hibiscus flower during warm weather, so as temperatures rise in late spring and early summer, flower production should begin. 

If your plant is still young and small, it may take a year or so for flowering to start. In the meantime, ensure the plant is well fed from spring to autumn, to promote healthy growth and future flowers.