How to Care for a Chinese Hibiscus

Co-authored by Clark Hill

Last Updated: August 23, 2021 References Approved

The Chinese hibiscus (Rosa sinensis) has flowers that look similar to the hibiscus that is commonly grown in gardens. Chinese hibiscus makes a stunning blooming houseplant with its 4” to 5” (10 to 12 cm) flowers in many gorgeous colors. A happy, healthy hibiscus will reward you with a constant succession of these flowers. Here is how to keep that hibiscus happy.

Steps

1
Give Chinese hibiscus lots of light. A southern window or sunroom location is the best choice.^{[1]
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2
Keep Chinese hibiscus warm. These plants require temperatures between 55º to 85ºF (12.7 to 29.4ºC).^{[2]
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3
Plant Chinese hibiscus in a lightweight potting soil, not garden soil.^{[3]
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4
Re-pot Chinese hibiscus each spring in new potting soil. Use a bigger pot if the plant appears root bound.
5
Keep the soil in the pot moist at all times but never let the pot sit in water or become too soggy.^{[4]
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Clark Hill. Plant Specialist & VP of Operations, Platt Hill Nursery.}
- Use distilled water or rainwater at room temperature.
- Add water to the pot until water flows from the bottom.
- Empty saucers beneath the plant as soon as the water stops draining out.
- Touch the top of the potting soil to know if the plant needs water. Don’t rely on a schedule to water, water when the soil feels dry to the touch.
6
Keep humidity around the plant high. 50-60 % relative room humidity is ideal.^{[5]
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7
Keep Chinese hibiscus out of drafts from opening doors, leaky windows or forced air vents.
8
Fertilize Chinese hibiscus regularly all year round.
- Use a flowering plant, water-soluble fertilizer mixed according to directions for indoor plants, once a month.
- Or use a granular, slow release fertilizer for flowering houseplants as the label directs.
- Wait to begin fertilization for 3 months if the potting soil you use has fertilizer included.
9
Prune hibiscus to keep it from getting too large and to encourage fullness.^{[6]
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- Tip each tall, upright branch when you re-pot in spring to encourage side growth and fullness. Using bypass garden pruning shears cut each branch back to the second leaf node from the tip. Cut just before the node.^{[7]
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  Clark Hill. Plant Specialist & VP of Operations, Platt Hill Nursery.}
- You can prune back to just before any leaf node to reduce the height or width of the hibiscus. Make sure to leave 2 to 3 leaf nodes on each stem or remove the stem completely.
10
Groom your hibiscus.^{[8]
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- Remove dead blooms promptly.
- Remove yellowed or dead leaves.
- Dust the leaves if they appear dusty.
- Prune dead branches.
11
Examine your hibiscus regularly for pests.^{[9]
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- Look for curled or wrinkled leaves.
- Look for lots of yellow, browning, spotted or falling leaves.^{[10]
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  Clark Hill. Plant Specialist & VP of Operations, Platt Hill Nursery.}
- Look for insects on and under leaves.
- Look for fine webbing on leaves and stems.
- Treat insects with a houseplant insecticide if pests are suspected.

Community Q&A

Question

Can I save my rosa-sinensis if it is losing leaves from too much water?

Community Answer

Yes. Drill holes in the pot if it doesn't have them, and be more conservative in future watering.
Question

My hibiscus is an inside plant. Is it necessary to wait until spring to prune, or can I prune now?

Community Answer

During autumn and winter, plants rest; in spring, they recover. My suggestion is to wait until spring, when the plant is completely ready to grow and recover.
Question

Why do the flower buds keep dropping off before they can bloom in my hibiscus plant?

Community Answer

Spray your plants with Neem Oil. You can find it at your local home improvement store in the garden center.