Do Hibiscus Like Sun?

Hibiscus Basics

• Hibiscus are beloved for their vibrant blooms -- most of the plants sport bright red, pink, purple, yellow, orange or white flowers. Of the existing 200-plus species, most have large green leaves. Size wise, they can range from a small potted plant to a large, towering tree. There are two main strains of the plants: the tropical type, which is found in warm climates, and the hardy kind, which can survive in more extreme environments.

Locations

• Because of their preference for lots of sunlight and warm climates, hibiscus are most abundant on the Pacific islands of Hawaii, coastal Japan, mainland China, gardens in southern Florida and the shores of southern California. However, because of the hardiness of many hibiscus types, the plants have been known to decorate the gardens of Britons, Saudi Arabians, Indians and the Chinese. The hardy varieties of hibiscus tend to grow in a clumpier bush form; they still need a good deal of sunlight, but they can withstand harsher temperatures than the Hawaii flowers.

Sunlight Requirements

• According to the experts at Hidden Valley Hibiscus, though the plants thrive in sunny conditions, they can survive on as little as two hours of direct sunlight a day. This includes direct sunlight on a hibiscus plant outdoors, or a plant in a pot inside your house that receives the sunlight through your window. Hibiscus plants with lots of sun in high temperatures will need a lot of water to keep vibrant.

Other Tips

• If a non-hardy variety of hibiscus is faced with extreme temperatures, they may lose their buds and could potentially die. Moving a plant from one extreme temperature to another can cause stress for a hibiscus plant. A common mistake -- according to botanist Ron Smith of North Dakota State University -- is over-fertilizing your plant; this can cause it to lose its buds. A plant that drops its leaves and buds is not necessarily dead; Smith reassures that a bare plant may abruptly return to life, if given proper care.