With its alluring and delicate flowers, the pink hibiscus is an excellent focal plant. It blooms from late summer into early fall, adding color to waning gardens. Pink hibiscus produces plenty of blooms throughout the season, and the petals can also be used to make soothing herbal tea. Here, I’ll take you through everything you need about growing and caring for pink hibiscus syriacus at home.
Table of Contents:
- Growing Pink Hibiscus – The Essentials:
- Suitable USDA Growing Zones for Pink Hibiscus
- How to Grow Pink Hibiscus
- How to Care For Pink Hibiscus
- Essential Tools to Have Around
- Growing Pink Hibiscus Flowers FAQs:
Growing Pink Hibiscus – The Essentials:
| Botanical Name: | Hibiscus syriacus |
| Also Known As: | Rose of Sharon, Korean Rose, Rose Mallow |
| Hardiness Zones: | USDA Zones 5 to 9 |
| Flowering Months: | July through to October |
| Growing Difficulty: | Easy to grow, good for beginners |
| Type of Plant: | Hardy deciduous perennial shrub |
| Light Requirements: | Grows well in full sun, will need some wind shelter |
| Temp & Humidity: | Prefers temperatures between 60 and 85F and moderate humidity |
| Watering Needs: | Water weekly during dry summers and avoid watering in winter |
| Soil Preferences: | Moist, but well-draining acidic soil with rich nutrients. Can still survive in poorer soils |
| Feeding: | Feed with a slow-release fertilizer during spring and summer |
| Growth Expectations: | Can reach between 8 and 12 feet tall and 4 to 6 feet wide |
| Toxicity: | Non-toxic for humans and pets |
Suitable USDA Growing Zones for Pink Hibiscus
Pink hibiscus grows well in USDA-recommended hardiness growing zones 5 to 9. These areas include most of the US except for northern states. Pink hibiscus can tolerate colder temperatures than tropical varieties.
Blooming & Flowering
Pink hibiscus is a perennial flowering plant that typically blooms from July into October. This relatively late flowering season helps to maintain a show of garden color even when other flowers are fading. The leaves begin to emerge in late May.
Growth Expectations
Mature pink hibiscus plants can reach up to 12 feet tall and 6 feet wide. Most plants will tower anywhere between 8 and 10 feet on average.
Best Companion Plants
Thanks to their height, pink hibiscus make excellent backing shrubs for borders containing plants such as lavender or lilies. Hibiscus can also form part of a flowering hedgerow with other shrubs like hydrangeas, lilacs, or viburnums.
How to Grow Pink Hibiscus
Is Pink Hibiscus Considered Easy to Grow?
Pink hibiscus is a straightforward shrub to grow in most gardens and even for beginners. These plants thrive in moist soil with good drainage. They require moderate pruning after their final blooms.
Growing pink hibiscus is a simple way to bring some late-summer color into the garden. Pink hibiscus also grows well in containers or as part of a hedgerow.
Best Locations to Plant
Pink hibiscus thrives in a sunny position that provides some shelter from the wind. This area should also have well-draining soil that can still be kept slightly moist. Pink hibiscus is quite hardy and can tolerate colder locations or poorer soils if necessary.
The color and structure of the pink hibiscus mesh well with ornamental borders or groups of tropical plants. It also fits in well with courtyard gardens in a container.
What Are the Best Times of Year to Plant Pink Hibiscus?
Pink hibiscus should ideally be planted in the spring after the last frost has gone. The leaves usually start to open towards the end of May, so get the plant in before then. These hardy perennials can also be planted in the fall in warmer regions.
Growing Pink Hibiscus Plants From Seed Vs Planting Young Nursery Plants
Pink hibiscus can be successfully grown from seed with careful timing. Spring frosts must be anticipated and avoided if growing from seed. Nursery plants are usually easier, but some might not transplant well into unfamiliar growing conditions.
What to Do Before Planting
Planning for the anticipated height and width of pink hibiscus is crucial, especially if you’re growing the hibiscus alongside other plants. A fully-grown pink hibiscus might reach up to 12 feet in height and 6 feet in width. Make sure that the location can handle this potential size.
Soil Considerations
The best soil for pink hibiscus needs to be slightly moist but also well-draining. They don’t like sitting in too much water. They do best in slightly acidic soil with lots of nutrients. A pH of between 6.0 and 6.5 is ideal.
How to Plant
Pink hibiscus is fairly easy to plant. As you remove the Hibiscus from its nursery pot, take note of the size of the root ball. Excavate a space that is twice as wide as the root ball and around the same height. Then, bed the plant in and give it a thorough drink.
Seeds need to be started indoors. Time the sowing for six to 12 weeks before the final spring frost. Sow the seeds about a ½ inch into some seed compost.
After four to five weeks, move the seedlings into a bigger pot. Following the last spring frost, acclimatize the young hibiscus outdoors during the daytime for about a week. Then plant it.
Light Preferences
Pink hibiscus thrives in areas with a lot of sunlight during the day. If you live in an arid or exceptionally hot climate, you’ll need to provide the hibiscus with some shade during the afternoon. Too much harsh sun can burn the delicate leaves and flowers.
Temperature & Humidity Preferences
Temperature: Pink hibiscus is quite hardy and can survive in a range of temperatures. The optimal temperature scale for these shrubs is between 60 and 85F.
Humidity: Pink hibiscus likes moderate humidity. The soil must be kept slightly moist but not completely waterlogged. In drier climates, a hibiscus needs more regular watering.
How to Care For Pink Hibiscus
Watering Requirements
If you’ve just planted a hibiscus, it should be watered every other day for a few weeks. Once established, water pink hibiscus twice a week in the first year.
From its second year, the hibiscus must only be watered once a week in drier periods. The soil must be kept moist, but too much water will cause problems. Avoid watering during the winter months.
How, When, and Why to Fertilize
Pink hibiscus loves to feed. This helps produce even bigger blooms. Give it regular doses of slow-release fertilizer during spring and summer. Fertilizers designed for roses work well, but anything with high potash levels is ideal.
Pruning & Cutting Back
Because pink hibiscus flowers last only one day before dropping off, deadheading isn’t necessary. After the hibiscus stops flowering, trim each stem back to remove older growth. Make sure to cut just above a leaf node.
Once the hibiscus is a few years old or reaches around five feet high, prune it annually. These deciduous shrubs benefit from being pruned back by about a third. Thinning out the center better airflow.
How to Propagate
Pink hibiscus is easy to propagate using stem cuttings. Cut off a young shoot about 4 to 6 inches in length. Cut just above a leaf node to allow the stem to recover.
Prune away the lower leaves and shorten the cutting to the lowest remaining leaf node. Plant the cutting in a pot with potting mix and perlite. After about two months, the cutting can be repotted or planted in the soil.
Overwintering
Pink hibiscus is a hardy perennial that can overwinter in most climates. To keep it warm, spread a 2-inch layer of mulch around the base of the plant. Avoid watering too much during the winter.
When and How to Repot
If a pink hibiscus’s roots are starting to protrude from the drainage holes of its container, it needs repotting.
Gently lift the hibiscus out and fill the bottom of the new pot with a few inches of potting mix. Use some of the soil from the old pot, along with some fresh compost. Give the hibiscus a good drink afterward.
Common Problems & How to Treat Them
Underwatering
Yellowing foliage can be a sign of underwatering. Pink hibiscus needs slightly moist soil. Curling or shriveled leaves is also a signal. Water the plant more regularly.
Overwatering
If the hibiscus is wilting or shows yellow leaves, it might be getting too much water. Check the soil to see if it’s too wet. Pink hibiscus should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Too much water can cause root rot and other problems.
Allow the plant to dry out and only resume watering when the upper inch of soil has dried out.
Too Much Light
Even though it loves to sunbathe, pink hibiscus can suffer from too much sun. If the climate is really hot, the harsh afternoon sun can burn the leaves or flowers. Provide some shade during the afternoon to protect your hibiscus.
Incorrect Temperature
Temperatures that are too hot can cause the pink hibiscus to wilt. Let the plant sit in some afternoon shade. These hardy shrubs should tolerate colder temperatures within the recommended growing zones.
Common Pests & Diseases
Aphids
These common insects can be a problem for pink hibiscus. Use concentrated jets from a hose to remove them.
Gray mold
A common fungus affliction, fuzzy gray mold occurs in humid conditions. Remove affected leaves and consider moving the hibiscus to a drier area. Water less frequently.
Powdery mildew
Indicated by white, powdery deposits on leaves, powdery mildew is a fungus that occurs in dry conditions. Remove infected leaves and water more regularly.
- Secateurs
- Trowel
- Watering can
- Moisture meter
Growing Pink Hibiscus Flowers FAQs:
Where does Pink Hibiscus grow natively?
Pink hibiscus is native to the southern regions of China.
Is Pink Hibiscus difficult to grow?
Pink hibiscus is pretty easy to grow as long as the right conditions are provided.
What month does Pink Hibiscus bloom?
Pink hibiscus blooms from July to October.
What month do you prune Hibiscus?
Pink hibiscus can be pruned right after flowering – usually in October or November.
Do Pink Hibiscus like full sun or shade?
Pink hibiscus grows best in full sun, but in hotter areas, it will need some afternoon shade.
Wrap Up
Thanks to its towering, late-summer flowers, pink hibiscus is a gorgeous addition to the garden. Its ease of care makes it an excellent option for inexperienced gardeners. It’s ideal to use at the rear of garden borders or as part of a hedgerow.
Further reading: 10 best companion plants for hibiscus.
Spread the love
Insights, advice, suggestions, feedback and comments from experts
The pink hibiscus, also known as Hibiscus syriacus or Rose of Sharon, is a beautiful flowering plant that adds color to gardens from late summer to early fall. It is a hardy deciduous perennial shrub that produces delicate flowers and can reach a height of 8 to 12 feet and a width of 4 to 6 feet. The petals of the pink hibiscus can also be used to make soothing herbal tea. In this response, I will provide information related to all the concepts mentioned in this article.
Suitable USDA Growing Zones for Pink Hibiscus
Pink hibiscus grows well in USDA-recommended hardiness zones 5 to 9, which include most of the United States except for northern states. It can tolerate colder temperatures than tropical varieties [[12]].
How to Grow Pink Hibiscus
Pink hibiscus is considered easy to grow and is suitable for beginners. It thrives in moist, well-draining acidic soil with rich nutrients. It prefers full sun but will need some wind shelter. Pink hibiscus can still survive in poorer soils. It can be grown from seeds or young nursery plants, and it is best planted in the spring after the last frost has passed. The plant should be watered regularly during dry summers and should be fed with a slow-release fertilizer during spring and summer [[13]].
How to Care for Pink Hibiscus
Pink hibiscus requires regular watering, especially during the first year after planting. It should be watered every other day for a few weeks and then twice a week in the first year. From the second year onwards, it should be watered once a week during drier periods. The soil should be kept moist but not waterlogged. Pink hibiscus loves to be fed, so regular doses of slow-release fertilizer during spring and summer are recommended. Pruning is necessary to remove older growth and maintain the shape of the plant. Pink hibiscus can also be propagated using stem cuttings, and it can overwinter in most climates with proper care [[17]].
Common Problems & How to Treat Them
Some common problems that can occur with pink hibiscus include underwatering, overwatering, too much light, incorrect temperature, aphids, gray mold, and powdery mildew. Underwatering can cause yellowing foliage, while overwatering can lead to wilting and yellow leaves. Providing the right amount of water is crucial. Pink hibiscus can suffer from too much sun, especially in hot climates, so providing some shade during the afternoon is recommended. Temperature extremes can also affect the plant, so it's important to provide suitable conditions. Common pests that can affect pink hibiscus include aphids, which can be removed with a hose, and gray mold and powdery mildew, which can be managed by removing affected leaves and adjusting watering practices [[23]].
In conclusion, the pink hibiscus is an easy-to-grow perennial shrub that thrives in USDA hardiness zones 5 to 9. It requires moist, well-draining acidic soil, full sun with some wind shelter, and regular watering and feeding. Proper pruning and care can help maintain the health and beauty of the plant. However, it's important to watch out for common problems such as underwatering, overwatering, too much light, incorrect temperature, and pests like aphids, gray mold, and powdery mildew. With the right care, pink hibiscus can be a stunning addition to any garden [[13]] [[17]] [[23]].
