Hibiscus is a plant from the Malvaceae family. There are over 200 species. It is a plant native to Asia Minor, in particular from the Istanbul area. It arrived in Europe for the first time, perhaps thanks to an expedition by the Flemish ambassador Ghislain de Busbeck who brought some specimens to Holland.
THEibisco is a plant of the Malvaceae family. There are over 200 species. It is a plant native to Asia Minor, in particular from the Istanbul area. It arrived in Europe for the first time, perhaps thanks to an expedition by the Flemish ambassador Ghislain de Busbeck who brought some specimens to Holland.
Hibiscus plants starting from the temperate zones of Asia over time have also spread to North America, Europe and tropical areas. They are found great crops of hibiscus, for example, in Australia, New Zealand, Central America and Hawaii.
With the hibiscus flowers (Hibiscus sabdariffa) karkadè is prepared, a drink to be enjoyed hot or cold which is obtained by leaving it to infuse in dried hibiscus flowers.
Let's find out how to grow hibiscus and how to take care of it.
Index
Hibiscus, cultivation
Hibiscus is a shrub that is grown in the garden as an ornamental plant and in urban spaces. The plant with its growth it can exceed 2 meters in height. The bark of the hibiscus is gray in color. The leaves are oval and dark green, while the flowers are of different shades, from red to pink, from white to purple.
Smaller hibiscus plants are also grown indoors but should then be moved outside as they grow. With the arrival of autumn, the hibiscus withers and loses its leaves. It is not in general an evergreen plant, but with deciduous leaves. However, there are some evergreen varieties of hibiscus, such as Hibiscus rosainsensis.
The advice is to grow hibiscus indoors if you live in cold areas and outdoors if the climate is mild. Hibiscus is suitable for cultivation in the garden, on the terrace and on the balcony.
Hibiscus, sowing
To grow hibiscus you can practice one cutting in spring from an existing plant or starting from semi. Getting beautiful hibiscus plants from seeds is not always easy, the advice is to always start from a cutting or to buy a hibiscus plant ready to transplant in the garden or to repot. But if you have hibiscus seeds available, plant them in spring in pots with rich, well-drained soil.
Hibiscus, exhibition
Where to place your hibiscus plant? Choose a very bright place. Hibiscus loves light and warmth. Exposure to light promotes hibiscus flowering. The plant can suffer from the cold. If you grow it in pots, we suggest you shelter it in winter but
Hibiscus, pruning
Hibiscus plants are strong and vigorous, they grow very easily. For this reason it is recommended to prune the hibiscus after the end of flowering and before the arrival of winter in order to favor a new harmonious development with the return of spring.
Hibiscus, watering
When and how much to water hibiscus? Hibiscus is a very hardy and easy to grow plant. Normally the hibiscus grown outside content with precipitation but it is better to water the young plants from time to time, grown both in pots and in the garden, in order to favor growth. Water your hibiscus when you notice a prolonged dry spell where the soil remains dry and dry for a long time.
Hibiscus, soil type
For your hibiscus plants, prefer a nutrient-rich soil, fresh and well drained. Remember to never leave stagnation in saucers and to choose large pots, suitable for the growth of the plant.
Hibiscus, transplant and repotting
The hibiscus must be transplanted in a new, slightly larger vessel of the previous one during its growth if this is the cultivation method you have chosen. Always use the same type of soil for repotting. Repotting should take place every two years.
Hibiscus, multiplication and cutting
How does the multiplication of the hibiscus happen? The hibiscus produces seeds that can fall into the ground and generate new plants but the safest way to grow the hibiscus and get a plant that is the same as the mother plant is the cutting which must take place from hibiscus branches without flowers.
Practice the cutting of the hibiscus in spring by planting the branches in pots to be filled with soil and peat. When you see the first shoots appear on these twigs, you will understand that your hibiscus cutting has taken root.
Hibiscus, fertilization
The fertilization of the hibiscus occurs during the greater period of the summer flowering. Gods are used specific fertilizers to add to the water which is used to water the plants. Hibiscus plants need a nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium fertilizer.
Hibiscus, the language of flowers
According to the language of flowers, hibiscus is a fleeting beauty symbol for the fragility of its stems and the fragility of its flowers. White hibiscus flowers are a symbol of loyalty. Giving hibiscus flowers to your loved one means paying homage to their beauty.
Marta Albè
