Successful Tips to Growing Red Hot Hibiscus
Bring that sizzle to your landscapes and gardens with the red hot hibiscus. This tropical beauty is HOT and will bring that much-needed flavor with its beautiful flowers and variegated leaves, the red hot hibiscus has made a name for its self.
What I love about this plant is having that constant color year-round. When the flower bloom period has passed the red hot hibiscus still adds that sizzle and dazzle with its colorful leaves. A plant like this is worth having as a part of your garden and landscape design.
I was first introduced to the red hot hibiscus many years ago as a groundsman working for a five-star resort. From the minute I saw this beauty I fell in love, it was love at first sight and to this day I am still in love with these garden beauties because they are so HOT, sounds like a love affair doesn’t it, I know what you are thinking but I can assure you that I have all my marbles.
Anyway, in this article, we will be discussing the care and growth of the red hot hibiscus so you can have success when growing them in your home garden, and hopefully, at the end of this post, you will feel about them like I do, with that said here we grow.
Things you must know
Planting Location
This garden beauty is a tropical plant and requires a sunny location to perform at its best and can grow to a height of 5-8 ft and 3-5 ft in diameter.
Soil Type
The soil type should be organic-rich to hold the right amount of moisture.
Watering Methods
Your red hot hibiscus will need a lot of water, especially when putting forth flowers. During the cooler season, you can decrease the amount of water.
Fertilizing methods
In order for your red hot hibiscus to produce beautiful healthy bloom, it is best to use a fertilizer that encourages flower bloom. A fertilizer that is high in potassium whether a slow or quick release applied once a month will help. Before applying fertilizers read and follow the manufacturer’s label because the label is the law.
Garden insect pest of the red hot hibiscus
As beautiful as these tropical beauties the red hot hibiscus has its share of insect pests which includes.
- Mealybugs
- Aphids
- Spider Mites
- Whiteflies
- Thrips
- Gall Midge
These garden insect pests can really do a number on your red hot hibiscus especially thrips and gall midge that causes flower bud drop and yellowing of the leaves. The use of insecticidal soap or neem oil will bring these garden insect pests under control.
Diseases of the red hot hibiscus
- Root Rot
- Leaf Spot
- Blights
Root Rot
Root rot is caused by fungi that attack the roots of the plant, root rot occurs when the soil is saturated with water or is waterlogged. The signs of root rot include. Stem dieback, mushrooms may appear at the base of the hibiscus, the plant’s leaves becoming discolored and dislodging prematurely. To bring this disease under control or to avoid this disease from happening, ensure that the soil is a good drain soil and monitor the amount of water you are giving your hibiscus.
Leaf Spot
Leaf spot is encouraged by a fungus, symptoms include irregular spots that are discolored, the leaves also fall to the ground. To control rake the leaves and properly disposed of them.
Botrytis Blights
The symptoms of botrytis blight show up as buds not opening, stem dieback, leaves that are discolored and distorted, spotted flowers, shoots, and leaves which also wilts and drops from the stem. To bring this disease under control avoid overhead watering, water the hibiscus from the soil or at ground level so that the leaves do not get wet.
Do not over-fertilize, which calls for reading and following the manufacturer’s label, providing the hibiscus with good air circulation by proper spacing and removing or pruning diseased branches. It is also good to keep the plant bed clean and clear of debris especially debris that is infected by this disease.
Here are a few ways to install your read hot hibiscus.
1. Your read hot hibiscus can be installed as a backdrop in your plant bed or garden area
2. Can be installed along your wall.
3. Can be installed along your fence.
4. Can be installed in containers and the containers can be placed on your patio or porch.
5. The red hot hibiscus can be planted along garden walkways.
6. Can be installed along driveways.
7. Do nicely along the borders.
8. These garden beauties can be planted on either side of your door entrance
Additional information
Other factors that may encourage bloom to drop may be a lack of water, environmental conditions, for example, a change in the temperature, overwatering, or over-fertilizing.
Container grown red hot hibiscus
Growing red hot hibiscus from a container is pretty neat. The container should be large enough to allow your red hot hibiscus to sit comfortably. The soil should be as discussed above, a good organic soil mix that will hold moisture.
The container should have drain holes to allow excess water to drain. Fertilize your red hot hibiscus as mentioned earlier and treat for insect pests as discussed above. Ensure that your container has drain holes to allow excess water to have a way of escape because if excess water is allowed to remain in the container your plant will experience root rot which is not good. Provide a saucer to catch the water and empty the saucer as it fills.
The final word
The red hot hibiscus is a pretty amazing plant. This garden beauty can really give that tropical look with its beautiful flowers and colorful leaves. Why not invest in a plant like this that have proven to work wonders as you get a taste of the tropics. The read hot hibiscus, so hot that it SIZZLES.
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About the author
Norman loves being in the garden, both at home and for his job....
he is 'Natures Little helper' being outdoors, growing his vegetables and flowers from an early age.
Now having spent over 22 years in the profession he want to give some of his knowledge to others...
his vast array of hints and tips you will find scattered over this site will help you no end growing plants in your garden.
Thanks for this thorough review of Red Hot Hibiscus care, I found it extremely helpful. I agree, that amazing splash of colour in the garden is trul a site to behold!
I found the section on pests really helpful as it’s something I’m constantly plagued with. Keep the information coming, it helps us enthusiasts a lot!
Hello, Les so happy That I could help and thanks so much for your kind words. The red hot hibiscus is pretty amazing and can really spice up your garden and landscapes. I will do my best to keep you updated on what is happing in this industry all the best to you and have a good day.
Hi really great article as to hibiscus and am to a landscape gardener with a landscape and garden website I most say you right about this beautiful plant as it very easy to grow in all means of propagation, I was trilled to find here a website as mine that is well structure giving me the fire to have my website looking as organised as your, I thank you for sharing this amazing article
Hello, it is so good to meet you and I am so happy that I could help. The red hot hibiscus is pretty amazing. Will send you a private message. Thanks so much for your kind words and have a good day.
Flowers are one of the most beautiful things that one can have at home.
The red hot habiscious Flowers add beauty to the environment be it living environment or working environment as far as there is enough sun light to grow properly. Apart from the beauty it gives it also gives oxygen to the environment.
Hello so happy to meet you. The red hot hibiscus is pretty amazing, thanks so much for sharing all the best to you and have a good day.
I came across this post while looking to transform my failed vegetable garden into a flower garden. The vegetables I planted did really well, but I just didn’t have time to harvest them, so I’m researching now what to plant this spring.
I will probably put mostly annuals the first year, and slowly add more perennials as I learn what to plant. Seems like Red Hot Hibiscus could be a good start addition, since it has year round color.
What zones does Red Hot Hibiscus do well in?
Do you know if Red Hot Hibiscus attracts birds or butterflies?
Is Red Hot Hibiscus poisonous to dogs?
Hello so happy to meet you. Zones 8 is good for your red hot hibiscus and they can attract wildlife. As beautiful as the red hot hibiscus there have been reports of dog poisoning so make sure they are secured from your pets just to be on the safe side. Hope this help and all the best to you.