Hibiscus, or China rose, is a beautifully flowering houseplant popular among gardeners due to its low care requirements. However, there are some specific indoor growing guidelines that should be followed to ensure its successful growth. Botanists recognize many varieties of hibiscus, and their photos and descriptions may vary significantly, but the basic care guidelines for all plants of this species are roughly the same. There are only two methods for propagating China rose: cuttings and growing from seed.
Description of the flower and its homeland
The hibiscus is believed to have originated in southern China and northern Indochina. From these regions, the plant spread to the tropics and subtropics. In areas where the hibiscus grows naturally, its flowers are used as a raw material for food coloring and hair dye. Parts of the plant are included in various medicinal teas, the most famous of which is hibiscus.
Hibiscus – an evergreen plant, either tree-like or shrub-like. When grown in a greenhouse, the plant can reach 3-4 meters in height, and up to 2 meters when cared for indoors. The leaves resemble birch leaves, with a distinct green hue, a glossy surface, an elongated oval shape, and slightly corrugated edges.
During the flowering phase, single buds form on the branches. The flowers are 8-14 cm in diameter and come in a variety of shades: there are varieties with pinkish, yellow, scarlet, white, and bicolor petals. The inflorescences can be single, double, or semi-double. The bloom fades within 1-2 days, but with proper care, new flowers will appear over a long period—from early spring to late fall.
Popular varieties
There are tree-like, creeping, and spreading varieties of hibiscus, with flowers that come in double, semi-double, and single colors. This plant is grown not only indoors but also in landscape design. Breeders have developed over 250 varieties of China rose suitable for indoor cultivation, of which the most popular among gardeners are:
- Kyoto - yellow hibiscus, scarlet center of the flower;
- Hamburg – double inflorescences of red hue;
- Florida - petals of a rich scarlet-orange color;
- Filling Blue – violet-blue flowers with thin white strokes over the main shade;
- Carmen Keene – blooms pastel pink, petals have a white border;
- Ash Majestic – bright burgundy flowers with white dots along the edge;
- San Remo – large, white inflorescences with a yellow center;
- Borias – white buds with an intense crimson center, wavy petal edges.
Caring for a flower at home
Caring for hibiscus indoors requires a lot of patience: although the plant is undemanding, it grows slowly. It will take several years for a bush grown from a cutting to become large and bloom profusely. Otherwise, care is simple: the main thing is to keep the China rose warm, water it regularly, and provide high humidity.
Lighting and position in the house
Hibiscus requires long hours of daylight—at least 10-12 hours. Therefore, during the winter, the China rose may require supplemental lighting with a grow light bulb. It is recommended to place the plant on a windowsill facing east or south. West-facing windows are suitable as long as the light is not obstructed. In the summer, the container can be moved to a balcony, terrace, or loggia.
Air temperature
During the summer, China rose requires temperatures between 20 and 25˚C. These conditions will help the hibiscus properly prepare for the dormant phase and stimulate flowering. Higher room temperatures may cause problems with budding, as the hibiscus will produce far fewer flowers than usual.
In winter, it's important to keep the room temperature above 10˚C (50˚F), otherwise the plant will stop growing until warmer weather arrives. At lower temperatures, the China rose's leaves will begin to turn yellow. If the temperature doesn't return to normal, the leaves will quickly fall off, making it difficult for the plant to recover in the spring. The optimal temperature for successful overwintering is between 16˚C (61˚F) and 20˚C (60˚F).
Watering mode
The China rose is a moisture-loving plant, but daily watering is not recommended. Moisten the soil as the top layer of soil in the pot dries out. Allow the water to settle for 24-48 hours beforehand, but collecting rainwater is best. In spring and summer, when the plant is actively growing, water frequently. In autumn, gradually reduce the frequency of watering to once every 4-5 days.
Fertilizing
Fertilizing hibiscus is no less important than watering. If the soil lacks nutrients, the plant will gradually wilt or drop its buds before they're fully formed. Frequent feeding is recommended for China roses, but to avoid harming the plant, it's important to find the optimal frequency.
Depending on the variety, fertilizer should be applied once every 1-3 weeks. Fertilizer options include:
- specialized bait for Chinese rose;
- fruit tree ash dissolved in water;
- mullein solution in a ratio of 1 to 10.
In summer, hibiscus begins to actively develop its crown, so it's important to apply maximum amounts of nutrients. Primarily magnesium, copper, iron, and phosphorus. In the fall, less concentrated solutions should be used, and in winter, the frequency should be increased to the maximum. In the spring, it's essential to apply higher concentrations of nitrogen compounds to restore metabolism.
Methods of formation
Forming a beautiful, tree-like crown doesn't require much effort: hibiscus only requires simple, hygienic pruning. However, in the spring, before active development and growth begins, pinching out the apical buds is recommended. This applies to all shoots, including green ones. Damaged and diseased branches should be removed completely, as they drain sap. Additionally, branches leading inward and those growing parallel to the main trunk should be pruned.
Hibiscus transplant
Young hibiscus should be repotted annually, while mature plants should be repotted as their roots develop, approximately every 2-3 years. When the root system is actively developing, be sure to replace the pot with a larger one; otherwise, the China rose will slow down its growth. Care should be taken when repotting to avoid damaging the roots. Do not apply any fertilizer for the first 7 days after repotting.
Methods of reproduction
Propagating China rose at home is not difficult. The plant takes root quickly and, with proper pot and soil preparation, begins to grow rapidly. The primary method of propagation is cuttings. Hibiscus can also be grown from seed—this method is more commonly used by breeders, although it is not considered more labor-intensive than cuttings. Care for a slightly grown plant is the same as for a mature one.
Cuttings
Growing hibiscus from cuttings is easy: the cuttings require just enough water to encourage root formation and development. Various fertilizers and stimulants, such as Kornevin or Epin, can be added to the water if desired.
To ensure that a Chinese rose grows normally from a cutting, follow these instructions:
- For cutting, select young and green shoots from the lateral or apical part of the plant.
- It is essential to remove all leaf blades from the prepared cuttings: they are cut in such a way as not to damage the buds.
- The shoot is placed in water with additives and covered with a cut plastic bottle on top to create a greenhouse effect.
The plant will develop roots in 3-4 weeks, after which the cutting can be transplanted into a light, nutritious soil. To prepare the soil, mix equal parts peat, sand, and compost. Be sure to line the bottom of the pot with expanded clay or another hard material to form a drainage layer. It is also recommended to cover the soil with sphagnum moss, which will help retain maximum moisture.
Seeds
It's best to sow hibiscus seeds in winter—January-February. It's recommended to soak the seeds overnight in a stimulant solution such as Epin, Kornevin, or Zircon. Be sure to create a drainage layer of expanded clay or clay shards in the seeding container. For the soil, prepare a mixture of turf, sand, and peat in equal parts. Plant and germinate the seeds according to these instructions:
- For seeding material, holes are prepared at a distance of at least 2 cm and a depth of up to 5 mm.
- The seeds need to be sprinkled with a thin layer of soil mixture, then watered with warm, settled water.
- The container must be covered with plastic film or glass to create a greenhouse effect.
- The container with seedlings is left in a warm room at a temperature of at least 27ºC.
Possible pests and diseases
The Chinese rose is considered a plant with a high immunity, so growing it indoors doesn't present any serious difficulties. The main problem with growing hibiscus is rapid soil depletion. This can be resolved by regular fertilizing and maintaining a consistent watering regime. Pests that may threaten the plant include:
- spider mite;
- scale insect;
- nematode;
- thrips.
To eliminate pests, fungicide treatments are recommended, along with a potting mix change. Spraying is sufficient for protection against spider webs, as these insects are sensitive to high humidity.
Besides pests, hibiscus can also suffer from diseases caused by improper care. Plant owners often encounter chlorosis, sunburn, and tracheomycotic wilt. These problems with China roses can be eliminated without the use of chemicals; simply follow these recommendations:
- Moving the pot to a location with more shade will reduce the sun's effect on the plant's greenery.
- If the hibiscus looks wilted, you need to normalize the watering regime and increase the amount of fertilizer.
- When the leaf blades dry out, it is recommended to moisten the green part more often with a spray bottle.
If your hibiscus is affected by a fungal disease, use Dezavid, Epin, or Zircon. In some cases, problems with plant growth and wilting of its leaves are related to improper temperature control and drafts. Sometimes, hibiscus stops blooming or drops unformed buds. If the bush turns yellow, the damaged leaves should be carefully trimmed off.
Hibiscus is an ornamental plant considered the epitome of feminine beauty. Growing this rose is easy—just follow basic care guidelines and carefully monitor the condition of its leaves. By devoting 5-10 minutes a day to the plant, you can grow a beautiful bush that will regularly delight you with large, lush buds.