How to Plant Hibiscus

Everyone loves bright flowers, specially the big blooms. Some flowers look good only on trees when twilight still pours on them. One such flower is the Hibiscus. Its flowers are very attractive and are available in many colors. Here is its scientific classification.

Hibiscus - Scientific Classification

Kingdom: Plantae
Family: Malvaceae
Sub-family: Malvoideae
Tribe: Hibisceae
Genus: Hibiscus

Hibiscus plants are also called rosemallow, sorrel, or Flor de Jamaica. These plants have more than 200 species. They are found in shades and tones of white, yellow, pink, red, purple, orange etc. The flower has 5 or more petals. These are indoor as well as outdoor plants and can also be planted to grow it into a tree. The plant is used as show flowers and also has medicinal properties. It is used to make medicine and plays quite a big role in hair care.

The flowers are large,and mostly have 5 petals that are oval shaped at the ends. If you decide to plant hibiscus indoor, make sure that you plant it in a place where there is adequate sunlight, as the plant loves the warmth and produces more flowers. These plants mostly refuse to flower in shade. Let us see how to plant hibiscus.

Soil
These plants need soil that is high in nutrients, and drains well. The soil must have 6 to 6.5 pH level. You can also add mulch to the topmost layer of the soil. These tropical plants mostly prefer sandy soil as it drains well. Give the soil a lot of compost and organic material. If you notice that the area is not well drained, you can raise the bed by 5 to 10 inches.

Water
Watering the plant actually depends upon what kind of a climate the plant is growing in, cold or hot climate. When they are planted in the hot regions, they cannot tolerate wet feet and roots clogged with water or to the contrast, completely dry conditions. You should not flood the roots of this plant as they will rot and the plant will die. If the plant is not given enough water the leaves of this plant will slowly start drooping. In the cold regions these plants might get affected from fungus as the fungi attack the roots. So it is necessary that you water as much as the plant needs. Over watering might kill the plant. If the roots are kept warm, these problems will be kept away.

Fertilizers
The plants need a lot of fertilizers to give bright and full blooms. Organic compounds are the best. When you plant your hibiscus, do not feed it immediately with fertilizers, because when you get it from the nursery it is already fertilized enough. You can add fertilizers after a month when it has got used to the soil and the place where it is settled. If you want your plant to grow healthy, you should keep a check on the fertilizers that you provide it with, as less fertilization may give less flowers or no flowers at all.

If you decide to plant the hibiscus in the form of a tree it should be planted outside in your garden where there is enough place for the plant to grow into a tree as it rises up to 4 to 5ft. This also involves time to time fertilization, pruning whenever necessary, etc.

To plant hibiscus roots, soak them in water for at least 8 to 10 hours so that they are very much hydrated. Dig out a hole that is wider than the root ball and deep enough for the root ball to sit. Fill up this hole with water and let it drain. Place the root ball in the hole and add mulch in it. Now refill the hole with soil and water it.

These hibiscus plant care methods will help you to grow a healthy plant. Make sure you plant is given the right type of soil, watered regularly, fertilized on time and pruned well. Growing hibiscus plants is an easy task if they are grown carefully and looked after well.