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Name: hibiscus, Hawaiian hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cvs).
Plant type: evergreen shrub.
Height: 1–3.5m.
Foliage: large, shiny, dark green leaves, up to 15cm. Oval-shaped but variable, often with ragged 'teeth' on the edges.
Climate: tropical and sub-tropical, warm temperate and sheltered areas of cool temperate.
Soil: rich, well-drained, improved soil.
Position: sunny, wind protected. Some varieties tolerate minor frost.
Flowering: large, distinctive colourful flowers from early summer through until winter.
Feeding: heavy feeder. Controlled-release fertiliser, supplemented with composted manures.
Watering: must have regular, reliable water over the hot months.
You'd be hard pushed to find flowers more flamboyant than those of the Hawaiian hibiscus. They're instantly recognisable, with their wide-open trumpet-like flowers and pronounced stamen – and that colour range! You'll find just about every imaginable colour available, even striped forms, and they can be as large as 15cm across. Combine these knockout warm-season flowers with lush, deep green foliage and you've got a plant that's a must-have for any tropical-look or resort-style garden.
Hibiscus is an evergreen shrub, sometimes a small tree, of variable size. Typically, hibiscus has a vase-like form with a short, stout trunk.
Although often described as a summer-flowering shrub, it flowers mainly in spring and then again in autumn, with spot-flowering in between. There are some more recently developed varieties that will flower across the warmer months.
Select your hibiscus when it is in flower to make sure the colour suits your needs. Check that the variety you select is a suitable size and is tolerant of your particular conditions, especially if you're in a cooler region.
Hibiscus can be used in many ways, including:
For the best flowers, plant your hibiscus in full sun in a warm position, ensuring protection from strong or damaging winds. Your hibiscus will need good-quality, free-draining soil with added composts and manures. It must have reliable water across the hotter months, or during dry periods.
If your area is prone to frost, ask the plant specialist in your local garden centre to suggest a suitable variety.
Improve soil at planting time by blending through quality compost or composted manure, and add a controlled-release fertiliser when planting. Stake larger plants if required, then mulch well with a product such as lucerne or pea straw, making sure the mulch is not pushed against the trunk – leave around 5cm clear.
You can take semi-hardwood cuttings of around 6cm in length in summer through until autumn. In winter, save 10cm-long hardwood cuttings from your pruning offcuts. Cuttings should be dipped in propagating gel, placed in a suitable propagating mix and kept moist in a warm spot.
Follow these tips to ensure your hibiscus is happy and healthy:
Hibiscus pruning requirements vary by variety, so keep the original label. Aim to remove any dead or diseased wood, and to trim back last season's growth, shaping the bush as you go.
The major annual pruning is conducted in late September. Vigorous shoots will appear in October and November. Tip-prune these lightly to increase bushiness. This will increase flower numbers, too. Also consider a light prune in February to tidy the bush and bring on more flowers.
Watch for the following pests when growing hibiscus:
After applying fertiliser, delay harvesting for a few days and rinse well before cooking and eating. If using products to deal with pests, diseases or weeds, always read the label, follow the instructions carefully and wear suitable protective equipment. Store all garden chemicals out of the reach of children and pets.
Bougainvillea: if you're looking for a plant with vibrant colours to bring a tropical look to your garden, then you can't go past bougainvillea.
Frangipani: hibiscus and frangipani are the perfect tropical-look partners.
Palm tree: add some height and serious resort-style character to your garden with a palm.
Check out our huge range of plants now and get your garden growing!
Asbestos, lead-based paints and copper chromium arsenic (CCA) treated timber are health hazards you need to look out for when renovating older homes. These substances can easily be disturbed when renovating and exposure to them can cause a range of life-threatening diseases and conditions including cancer. For information on the dangers of asbestos, lead-based paint and CCA treated timber and tips for dealing with these materials contact your local council's Environmental Health Officer or visit our Health & Safety page.
When following our advice in our D.I.Y. videos, make sure you use all equipment, including PPE, safely by following the manufacturer’s instructions. Check that the equipment is suitable for the task and that PPE fits properly. If you are unsure, hire an expert to do the job or talk to a Bunnings Team Member.
