How to grow hibiscus

Although the flowers are similar, hardy hibiscus are different from tropical hibiscus in several ways. Native to southern China, hardy types tolerates our winters, while tropical ones (native to tropical China) needs a minimum temperature of 7ºC to thrive. Hardy varieties bars large, single flowers in red, white, lavender and pink. It has heart-shaped, matt leaves. Whereas you'll find the tropical types flower in shades of pink, orange and yellow and has darker green, glossy leaves.

Hardy hibiscus is easy to grow. Tropical (indoor) hibiscus makes a fine house plant, flowering from May to October if happy, but it can be tricky to grow.

How to grow hibiscus

Grow outdoor hibiscus in moist but well-drained soil in a warm and sunny spot, ideally sheltered from winds. They do well in pots of loam-based, peat-free compost.

Grow indoor hibiscus in a bright spot away from direct, strong sunlight. They need a minimum temperature of 7-10°C and a high humidity, so do well in bright, but not sunny, bathrooms.

Both types do well in pots of moist but well-drained soil or compost. Repot in spring every two-three years to keep it fresh.

Where to grow hibiscus

Grow outdoor hibiscus in a sunny, sheltered spot such as a border or container display. Grow indoor hibiscus in a bright, humid spot out of direct sunlight.

How to care for hibiscus

Feed outdoor hibiscus plants annually in spring, with a slow-release, high potash formula, such as rose food. Mulch in autumn to help maintain soil moisture levels and suppress weeds. Don't be alarmed if your outdoor plant dies back after a hard frost in autumn – remember they are deciduous and this is perfectly normal. Simply cut back dead stems to around 10cm above ground level. They will regrow the following May to June (again, don't be alarmed by the late development of leaves, spring growth is slow to appear on outdoor hibiscus plants).

After three years (or when it's reached a height of around 1.5m), start pruning your hardy types annually to keep in shape. If left unpruned, the outer branches can fall outwards from the weight of the leaves.

Prune after flowering, cutting each branch back to a leaf node at a desired height. Removing old wood from the centre of the plant can improve air circulation.

Water indoor hibiscus regularly during the growing season (spring to early autumn) and feed fortnightly with a high potash liquid feed. Cut down on watering from late autumn to spring, when the plant is dormant. Always let the top few centimetres of compost dry out before watering again.

Indoor hibiscus benefit from annual pruning to keep it in shape. In early spring, simply shorten the previous year’s growth to produce a main framework of branches, which will then produce flowering shoots. Unwanted long shoots can be pruned back to 5-7.5cm from their base and thin non-flowering shoots removed.

Growing hibiscus: problem-solving

Hardy hibiscus are relatively trouble-free, and will grow well without much interference from you.

Tropical hibiscus can suffer from bud drop if humidity levels are too low. Simply mist regularly or move to a more humid environment such as a bathroom. Wilting is caused by lack of water, if your tropical plant wilts often then repot it into a larger pot.

Keep an eye out for spider mites on indoor hibiscus, which thrive in dry environments. Increase humidity levels to control it.