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When Do You Cut Back a Texas Hibiscus?

Texas hibiscus, sometimes known as Texas star hibiscus or scarlet rose mallow (Hibiscus coccineus) grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 6 through 9. It features large, five-petaled flowers. Generally, Texas hibiscus dies back to the ground in fall and regrows in spring. The only pruning it needs is to remove dead stalks in spring and deadheading during the growing season as the flowers fade.

  1. About Texas Hibiscus

    • Growing 3 to 6 feet tall, with slender stalks, Texas hibiscus begins blooming in late spring or early summer. As with other hardy hibiscus, each 3- to 6-inch-wide flower bears a distinctive central staminal column. The flowers open in the morning and last only a single day, with faded blooms lingering on the plants until they drop off or are snipped off. New blooms continue to appear until early fall. The leaves are large, sometimes up to 6 inches long.

    Texas Hibiscus Pruning

    • Because cutting back or pruning during the growing season reduces the number of flowers, use good cultural practices to minimize "legginess" or spindly stems that bear few flowers. The best way to avoid leggy plants is to give the plants full sun. Texas hibiscus loves water and should be planted consistently moist areas or provided with regular supplemental water. After flowering finishes in the fall, cut back stalks to the ground. You can also do this in late winter, when the previous season's stalks will be dry and brittle.

    Uses

    • Texas hibiscus works well for the back of flower borders because it is tall, showy and requires almost no pruning or shaping during the growing season. Showcase the plants in stream-side or rain gardens, situations that accommodate their moisture needs. Both the red- and white-flowered forms (Hibiscus coccineus "Alba") are attractive to butterflies and hummingbirds and can be used in native plant or wildlife gardens. The plants can also be grown successfully in large containers as long as they have good drainage and are watered frequently.

    Companions

    • Good companions for Texas hibiscus include plants with similar cultural needs. In spring, while hibiscus is still sprouting, position moisture loving iris types like Japanese iris (Iris ensata), which grows in USDA zones 4 through 9, in front of the hibiscus plants. A compatible red-flowered summer showstopper is red cardinal flower (Lobelia cardinalis), which grows in USDA zones 3 through 9. For hot-colored fall flowers, add sneezeweed (Helenium autumnale), a mid border plant, hardy in USDA zones 3 through 8 All should be deadheaded regularly and can be cut back at the end of the season, along with the hibiscus.

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