 |
| Hibiscus Flower Photograph by Kelly Butts |
 |
| Hibiscus Flower Photo by Paul Gellatly |
 |
| Hibiscus Flower Photo by Paul Gellatly |
One of the more common flowering houseplants has long been the Hibiscus. Until fairly recently I was only familiar with the common, red, orange, yellow flowering varieties, as they are the most commonly available.
 |
| Hibiscus Flower Photo by Paul Gellatly |
Doing a bit of searching and research will open your eyes to the truly amazing colours and varieties available. I currently own six different hibiscus, and if I had a greenhouse I'd likely have many many more.
They come in shades of red, white, yellow, orange, purple, pink, or a mixture of any of those colours. Also available in double flowers, variegated leaves, any many sizes of plants and blooms.
 |
| Hibiscus Flower Photo by Paul Gellatly |
With proper care Hibiscus can provide you with beautiful blooms for years to come. Hibiscus need atleast 2 hours of direct sunlight a day, preferably more. A South or West facing window is the ideal. Keeping this tropical plant warm is definitely a key factor in successfully growing hibiscus. Keep away from winter drafts and cool temperatures.
 |
| Hibiscus Flower Photo by Paul Gellatly |
Hibiscus need regular watering but the soil should be allowed to dry out between watering. Never let your Hibiscus stand in water for more than half an hour.
I fertilize my Hibiscus weekly during peak growing season (March to October) and reduce to every 3 weeks (November to February). Choose a fertilizer low in Phosphorus (middle number) 20-5-20 is ideal. If the middle number is too high, you will produce beautiful leaves, but few flowers.
 |
| Hibiscus Flower Photo by Paul Gellatly |
In order to maintain a healthy plant some pruning may be required... I would recommend pruning your hibiscus between Late July and Early October. I remove any weak branches, and just under 1/3 of the new growth in order to keep the plant bushy and healthy. Re-potting should be done in the spring and only one size bigger than the pot its currently in.
Its good practice to shower your hibiscus, either in the shower, or with the spray setting on the faucet, in luke warm water. I do this bi-weekly. This will keep the plant free of pests, and keep the leaves looking clean and dust free.
If you have a sunny window in your home and want a plant that offers you the "wow" factor... you really can't beat some of the Hibiscus plants available today. Ranging in Price anywhere from $5.00 to $150.00 in sizes from 6 inches to 8 feet. They are a great plant for beginners and enthusiasts alike.
 |
| Hibiscus Flower Photograph by Paul Gellatly |
love it, i'm now very inspired to go out and buy some more, where i live we just chuck them out in the garden and watch them grow, my neighbour has one that is about 8-9 foot tall. i never would of thought of having them as a house plant, thank you for all the cultural info, much appreciated
ReplyDeleteIt has yellow flowers is like the sun in your garden, so feel warm and fuzzy inside and immediately bring a smile to your face. And while there are a number of yellow flowers to choose, buy Forsythias make smile even wider, all of the opportunities that can be incorporated into your yard. This shrub spice up any flower bed or landscape. It produces great blooms, which are full of gorgeous yellow color.
ReplyDeleteForsythia Varieties
Never thought of them as a houseplant. Thats awesome. Im in Michigan and always thought of these as garden flowers for warm weather states
ReplyDelete