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How Long Do Hibiscus Blooms Last: Bloom Time & Tips To Care

Hibiscus blooms are the most brilliant and gorgeous flowers to adorn your home space. However, this flower requires some care techniques to grow at its best. How long do hibiscus blooms last? Whether you’re growing tropical or hardy hibiscus, the blooms last only a day or two at most.

The hibiscus blooming cycle of hybrids will last longer, sometimes up to a week. A young bud will open during the flowering period as a flower falls. To learn more about the blooming cycle and how to care for this plant properly, continue reading below.

How Long Do Hibiscus Blooms Last?

Hibiscus blooms can last for one to two days. Of the many flowering plants, hibiscus is the top choice for gardeners. The more effort and time you put into taking care of it, the more rewarding the results. There are more than 300 varieties of hibiscus in the USDA’s hardiness zone of the USDA. Each plant has a different character, but the most noticeable image is the large and vibrant flowers.

The tropical type, Hibiscus rosa-Sinensis, is a green plant all year and grows in zones 9 and above. At the same time, perennial hibiscus plants such as rose mallow, red hibiscus, and confederate rose often thrive in zones 5 and 9.

Whether it’s woody annuals or herbaceous perennials, their showy blooms last only one to two days. On most varieties, buds will appear on the tips of the branches in the early morning and begin to wilt by the late afternoon. Then, hibiscus blooms fall in the evening.

Although the blooming cycle is short-lived, this plant blooms year-round. This way, your garden will always be colorful and beautiful from the beginning of spring until late fall.

How About The Container-Grown Hibiscus Flowers?

Compared to a tropical hibiscus plant growing in the wild, many people prefer to grow the plant in a container indoors. According to the American Hibiscus Society, potted plants will grow larger and have better blooms.

The time of maximum growth is mid- to late-summer, or fall in the vertical direction. Until then, the plant will not have any single blooms. This simplicity and convenience make growing plants in containers the first choice of hibiscus enthusiasts.

A small tip when choosing a pot size is not to select a too-large pot. Well-fitted pots with acidic plant potting soil and plenty of drainage holes will cover the roots tightly. It also makes it easier to move if you want to avoid the plant being affected by the harsh cold air.

How To Get More Blooms From Hibiscus Plant?

Deadheading hibiscus is one method that many gardeners use. They believed that eliminating spent blooms would encourage more robust new growth. However, there are still many other care methods that you can keep in mind when taking care of hibiscus flowers. This plant is susceptible to the environment, so pay extra attention to its surroundings.

Pruning

Heavy pruning, or deadheading hibiscus, is not recommended in hibiscus flower care. However, you can gently prune old flowers or damaged branches before seed heads emerge. Prune back a third of the shrub in early spring or late winter. You should make sure the lengths of the branches are even and remove dead limbs.

This process will create more new buds because the plant does not need to use a lot of nutrients to grow old stems. It doesn’t take much time, but the results are well worth it.

Frequent Watering

The key to getting plenty of tropical hibiscus flowers is to keep the soil around the base of the plant consistently moist but not soggy.

In the first week, you should water every day, then gradually reduce it to every two days the following week. Finally, maintain watering twice a week. If the weather is not rainy, dry, or hot, apply the watering method every other day. Yet, you should not water the leaves because it will cause mould diseases.

Sunlight

If your plant gets at least six hours of sunlight a day, it will do its best. Two hours of daylight is the minimum required for the plant to bloom. You can place the plant in areas with solid shade, such as sheds, tall trees, or garages, to reduce photosynthetically active radiation. This type of light will encourage the plant’s photosynthesis

Fertilizer

Hibiscus indeed needs fertilizer to grow, but it does not depend on fertilizers that promote blooms. These stimulants will block iron and other nutrients and become highly toxic to the plant. You should only apply a little fertilizer each time and often take care of them effectively. Choose a low-phosphorous fertilizer, dilute it in half, and use it weekly from April to September.

The phosphorus content of suitable fertilizers should be as low as possible. Examples are 7-1-2 and 12-4-8.

Beware Of Pests And Bugs

Don’t forget to watch out for harmful insects like whiteflies, aphids, and spider mites, which can nibble on flowers. As a precaution, dilute and use a solution of castile soap and water.

Conclusion

How long do hibiscus flowers last? This flower usually blooms and maintains its beauty for only one to two days. However, hibiscus can bloom year-round throughout the month. The key to a lush green plant in full sunlight is regular watering and proper care. Hopefully, these tips can help your tree planting and care go more smoothly.

FAQs

  1. <strong>How do you keep your Hibiscus blooming?</strong>

    The best growing condition for hibiscus is full sun. However, this tree can also tolerate partial shade. You also need to maintain the soil’s moisture evenly. If it doesn’t rain and the weather is hot, water the plants regularly.

  2. <strong>Do Hibiscus plants bloom all summer?</strong>

    Yes, these tropical plants can bloom all summer if you know how to care for them. The vibrant flowers of hibiscus will catch everyone’s eye. You can grow hibiscus in the early spring. It will bloom from Spring to Fall.

  3. <strong>Do Hibiscus blooms close at night?</strong>

    The time of day can affect hibiscus bloom life. This flower tends to close up in the evening, similar to poppies, tulips, and crocuses. However, that doesn’t mean they sleep or rest. This action represents an evolved behavior in nature called nyctinasty. According to scientists, the mechanism for this phenomenon is the vigorous development of the lower petals in dark and cooler weather. It will cause the upper petals to droop.

  4. Why do your Hibiscus flowers fall off after blooming?

    Fading flowers result for many reasons, mainly because hibiscus flowers are cared for in the wrong way. Some common causes are extreme temperature changes, insufficient watering, or excessive fertilization.

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Kelly Lawrence

Kelly Lawrence

Kelly Lawrence is the CEO of Swipe Garden. Over 10 years in the writing and passion for gardening, she brings a wealth of expertise and creativity to the world of gardening. Kelly Lawrence has cultivated a community of plant lovers, making gardening accessible and enjoyable for all.