Hibiscus, Tropical (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)


Hibiscus, Tropical Plant Features

Few plants offer the tropical touch of tropical hibiscus. These sun-loving plants feature bold, plate-shaped flowers in a dazzling array of colors. You’ll most commonly find these flowering plants blooming in shades of red, pink, yellow, and orange, but there are also purple, lavender-blue, white, and bicolor varieties available. Some also have variegated foliage that adds appeal.

Tropical hibiscus are summer-blooming plants that grow well in containers or in the landscape. Potted hibiscus are bold flowering plants that add dramatic décor to decks, patios, and other spaces. Use them as focal points to accent your outdoor rooms, or group a number of these sun-loving plants together to form a hedge or privacy wall.

 

Hibiscus Questions?
Just drop us an email. Our tropical hibiscus experts are happy to help.

Hibiscus, Tropical Growing Instructions

Tropical hibiscus are sun-loving, flowering plants that grow best with 6 to 8 hours of direct light each day to bloom the most. They can grow in part shade, but they tend to bloom less.

Hibiscus appreciate plenty of water, especially when you grow them in in container gardens. During the hottest part of the season, these summer-blooming shrubs may need watering every day (especially if their roots are cramped in a small pot). It's common for hibiscus plants to drop their flower buds if they dry out too much in summer. 

Fertilize hibiscus monthly with a general-purpose fertilizer, following the directions on the product packaging, to ensure they produce the most blooms possible. You don't need to use special bloom-boosting fertilizers; regular, general-purpose products work just fine. Dwarf hibiscus grow 2-4 feet tall; standard varieties typically grow up to 5 feet tall.

Hibiscus typically don't need much pruning if you grow them in containers. But, if you do wish to prune your hibiscus, you can do so at any time to encourage a bushier, fuller plant. 

Get tips to care for your hibiscus in winter. 

Tropical hibiscus is not recommended for human or animal consumption.
  • Water

    Medium water needs

  • Light

    Indoors: High light

    Outside: Sun

  • Colors

    Orange

    Pink

    Purple

    Red

    Variegated

    White

    Yellow

  • Special Features

    Attracts butterflies

    Deer/rabbit resistant

    Super-easy to grow


Complement your Hibiscus, Tropical

Croton
Croton’s boldly variegated leaves are an ideal accent to the bold blooms of hibiscus.

Mandevilla
These two sun-loving plants are a match made in heaven; both hibiscus and mandevilla offer nonstop summertime blooms in rich colors.

Curcuma
Beautiful curucuma is a flowering plant that adds an elegant touch to the bold blooms of tropical hibiscus.


Q&A

Can I grow tropical hibiscus indoors as a houseplant?
Because tropical hibiscus do best outdoors in full sun, they don't usually make for good long-term houseplants unless you have a sunroom or conservatory with lots of light. That said, if you live in a cold-winter climate, you can bring your hibiscus indoors before frost and treat it like a houseplant until all danger of frost has passed in spring. Learn more about caring for tropical hibiscus over winter.

I have a tropical hibiscus and the buds are dropping before they open. What's wrong?
It's fairly common to see hibiscus drop their flower buds in response to stress. One of the most common types of stress we see is inconsistent watering -- when the plant dries out, then stays wet for a while, and is allowed to dry out again. Keeping a more regular level of soil moisture can help. 

If you've just purchased your hibiscus, it may drop buds as it adapts from the change in conditions from your local garden center to your home. In this case, as soon as the plant gets settled -- usually in a week or two -- it should stop the bud drop.

If your plants are regularly overwatered or are fertilized too much, the damage to the roots can also cause them to drop their buds. Temperature can also play a role -- if it's excessively warm or cold, the weather can stress the plants enough that they drop their buds. 

Also watch for pests. Some insects, including thrips, can cause hibiscus bud drop. If you see tiny insects in and around the buds before they drop, you may need to treat your plant with insecticidal soap, horticultural oil, neem oil, or an insecticide.

Will my beautiful tropical hibiscus survive the winter if I plant it outdoors in my yard?
Great question! It depends on where you live. Because tropical hibiscus don't tolerate frosty or freezing temperatures, to keep your plant alive over the winter, you'll need to bring your hibiscus indoors if your area experiences more than just a couple of light frosts. The good news is that tropical hibiscus is fairly easy to care for as a houseplant if you have a bright spot and water it regularly!

Where can I buy a tropical hibiscus for my yard?
Look for these plants at your local garden center, home improvement center, or mass merchandiser. Or, check out our list of Costa Farms' retail partners. If you still can't find a retailer, send us an email!


Our favorite varieties

Adonicus Pearl

Adonicus Pearl

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Longiflora Adonicus Pearl

Adonicus Pearl offers a reliable show of extremely long-lasting blush-pink flowers on a dwarf, compact plant.

Boreas White

Boreas White

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Longiflora Boreas White

A dwarf variety, Boreas White is especially good for containers. A profuse bloomer, this flowering plant offers a steady show of long-lasting white blooms with rich burgundy centers.

Multi-Tropic Yellow

Multi-Tropic Yellow

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Multi-Tropic Yellow

A profuse bloomer, this small-stature tropical hibiscus variety shows off a nearly constant supply of golden-yellow flowers. It's perfect for adding a fresh touch to your favorite tabletop.

Apollo Garden

Apollo Garden

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Apollo Garden

New-for-2023, this stunning Hibiscus offers 5- to 6-inch-wide flowers that open orange and last for at least two days. On the second day, the flowers develop a lovely yellow rim.

Grace

Grace

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Grace

Delightfully floriferous, Grace offers big 6-inch-wide flowers that last a couple of days. The blossoms open pink, have a white rim, and contrasting red eye.

Apollo Double

Apollo Double

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Apollo Double

Apollo Double Hibiscus has been bred to produce more branches than old-school varieties, so it's a fuller, lusher plant AND has more flowers over the course of a season!

Hybris

Hybris

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Hybris

Stunningly beautiful and bearing big blooms that can reach more than 6 inches across, Hybris' pink-on-pink flowers look like watercolor paintings.

Adonicus Pink

Adonicus Pink

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Adonicus Pink

This selection features exceptional branching for a full plant with lots of rich pink flowers all season long.

Constellation Andromeda

Constellation Andromeda

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Andromeda

New for 2023, this outstanding selection bears cup-shaped orange 3-inch-wide flowers that can stay open several days. We've seen more than twice the number of flowers on this selection than other older varieties!

Constellation Cassiopeia

Constellation Cassiopeia

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Daphne

You won't believe how many flowers this variety makes! It's constantly in bloom, showing off a plethora of 3- to 4-inch-wide pink flowers that stay open two (or more) days. It's the perfect plant for adding cheery color to any sunny space.

Constellation Draco

Constellation Draco

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Leda

Constellation varieties like Draco earned their name because they produce so many flowers -- like stars in the night sky! Draco offers a stunning show with long-lasting rich red 3- to 4-inch-wide blossoms.

Constellation Ursa

Constellation Ursa

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Crossandra

Though the flowers are a bit smaller than most other Hibiscus, it makes up for it by producing hundreds of them. Even better, the flowers stay open a couple of days, so you can enjoy more warm, coppery-orange color on a compact plant.

Rhea

Rhea

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Rhea

Rhea has become a favorite here at Costa Farms thanks to its warm orange color (with a contrasting pink center) and profusion of 5-inch-wide flowers all season long.

Multi-Tropic Red

Multi-Tropic Red

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis HibisQs® Multi-Tropic Red

This variety gives you a nearly constant supply of rich red, 5-inch-wide flowers. Unlike many Hibiscus, it has red flower buds, adding color even before the flowers open.