Last updated on December 24th, 2024 at 07:56 am
The Hardy Hibiscus Plant (Hibiscus moscheutos) Also called Rose Mallow and Swamp mallow. The hummingbirds love this plant! It loves to be in water but once established it will become drought tolerant.
Care of the Hardy Hibiscus Plant
The hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus moscheutos) thrives with the right care. Do you have a sunny spot? That’s where it belongs. It needs at least six hours of direct sunlight daily. Water it consistently, keeping the soil moist but not soggy. Use rich, well-draining soil and add mulch to retain moisture and control weeds. Fertilize in early spring and again mid-summer with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer. Prune dead stems in early spring to encourage fresh growth. If your winters are cold, don’t worry—it dies back but returns stronger in spring. Watch for aphids and treat with insecticidal soap if needed. Keep an eye on these simple steps, and you’ll enjoy its bold blooms year after year.
It starts to bloom around summer and continues to bloom until October. A fast-growing plant that is perfectly suited for the southwestern heat.
How Tall and Wide Will It Grow?
It will grow about 2 ft. tall and 3 ft. wide. The ones pictured on this post are the Luna series from Monrovia.com is a perennial, which means it will come back the following year. After the first hard freeze, it will go dormant, and be sure to cut down all the way to the ground. It will start to see new growth in mid-spring providing you with water for the area.
Where Can You Place this plant?
Place it in full sun but it can tolerate partial shade. It loves water and can be used near ponds or a water fountain that spills water over on its sides.
No need for deadheading expired blooms, however, removing them does help develop new blooms a lot faster.
Fertilize about once a month during the growing season, early summer through mid-fall. A good all-purpose 20-20-20 fertilizer will work. Go organic and use bone meal to help with blooms.
The Hardy Hibiscus Plant
USDA Hardiness 4-10
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If you have any questions or enjoyed this post, feel free to share your thoughts in the comments below.
Can this be grown in a pot, or does it prefer to be in the ground?
Hello, Lisa. Yes, it can be planted in a pot. But it does require more water during the hot summer months.