Blooming Cycle of Hibiscus

Optimum Blooming

• The hibiscus shrub is a member of the mallow family, which includes almost 300 plant species. For maximum bud development, the hibiscus needs a daytime temperature between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit. When planting indoors, use a soil mixture of one part perlite, two parts potting soil and two parts peat moss. Keep the plant away from drafts and provide at least four hours of bright sunshine each day. Maintain a moist soil, without over saturating, and apply the water directly to the soil so that it can drain through the potting mixture and out of the container.

Bloom

• Hibiscus flowers, with their large petals, come in a wide range of colors, including varying shades of pink, purple, red, orange and yellow, as well as white and bi-colored. Each hibiscus flower lasts for a relatively short time, typically just one day, while some might last for up to three days. After blooming, the plant sheds the flower. First, the spent flower closes, and then it drops from the plant. Flowers that last more than one day close at night.

Appearance

• When in full bloom, the flowers can weigh down a mature plant, bending its limbs to the ground. When the hibiscus flowers bloom, they attract birds to the plant. Flowers attract pollinators by various means, such as by the bright colors of the petals, unusual patterns or fragrance. The hibiscus' exotic appearance attracts hummingbirds, as the flower has no distinct fragrance.

Bloom Seasons

• In the right tropical environment, the hibiscus can bloom year round. Depending on the weather conditions, the plant might flower continually, from July through September. In climates similar to San Antonio, Texas, the hibiscus blooms all summer long. In non-tropical climates with cooler winters, the hibiscus goes dormant during the winter. The plant itself grows upright, in an arching vase shape, yet some gardeners trim the shrub to resemble a small tree. At maturity, the hibiscus plant can grow to 8 feet tall and 4 feet wide.