A Detailed Guide to Growing and Caring for Chinese Hibiscus

Chinese hibiscus, also called zhujin or dahonghua, is an evergreen shrub in the mallow family (Malvaceae), genus Hibiscus. Its flowers are large and showy, commonly in red, pink and yellow. It has a long blooming period and can flower almost all year round in a suitable temperature environment. It can be grown in pots on a balcony or planted in the ground in a courtyard for ornamental display.

Chinese hibiscus likes a sunny, warm and humid environment. The more light it gets, the more it blooms; if kept in shade for a long time, it tends to grow only leaves and no flowers. It is not cold-tolerant, so after the temperature drops in late autumn it should be moved indoors. Keeping the room temperature above 5°C in winter is relatively safe. The potting soil should be loose, fertile, well-drained and slightly acidic sandy soil, which can be prepared by mixing leaf mold with garden soil and a small amount of river sand.

Water according to the principle of watering when dry and letting it dry out between waterings. During the growing season, keep the potting soil moist but not waterlogged. In summer, water evaporates quickly, so you can appropriately increase watering frequency and spray the leaves to raise humidity; in winter, reduce watering. Chinese hibiscus has a long blooming period and consumes a lot of nutrients, so during the peak growing season apply a dilute, well-rotted liquid fertilizer about once every ten days. Before flowering, apply extra phosphorus and potassium fertilizer to make the flower color more vivid and the blooming more abundant.

Chinese hibiscus has strong sprouting ability. In spring, pruning can be done along with repotting, cutting off dead branches, weak branches and overly dense branches to promote new growth, and the plant shape will also become fuller. If bud drop or yellow leaves occur during care, it is mostly related to insufficient light, improper watering or sudden temperature changes; keeping the environment stable can reduce their occurrence. When aphids or scale insects are found, promptly rinse them off with clean water or spray pesticide for control.