Agua de Jaimaca, a drink made from the flowers of the Hibiscus sabdariffa, sugar, and water, is popular in Mexico, and tastes similar to cranberry juice. A Hibiscus flower worn behind one ear or the other traditionally shows the marital status of Hawaiian women. Over the left ear, and thus over the heart, means your heart is taken. Over the right ear means that you are available.
Hibiscus species have simple leaves and large, showy, trumpet-shaped flowers.
| Plant Types: | Annual, Interior Plant, Perennial |
| Light: | Partial Shade to Full Sun |
| Height: | 4 feet to 8 feet |
| Width: | 3 feet to 4 feet |
| Zones: | 5a to 10b |
| Bloom Color: | Pink, Red, White |
| Bloom Seasons: | Late summer, Early fall, Mid fall |
| Leaf Color: | Green |
| Special Features: | North American native, Wetlands plant |
| Shape: | Upright or erect |
| Type of Soil Preferred: | Loamy, Neutral, Well-Drained |
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If dividing a perennial Hibiscus, do so in the spring. If you are growing from cuttings, take 5-6" of new growth and remove the lower leaves. Stick into a mixture of sand and peat at a 3 to 1 ratio. Once cuttings have formed roots, you can transplant.
If planting seeds, soak them in warm water for an hour before planting. Either start indoors 12 weeks before the last frost, or outdoors after the frost has past. You can also sow seeds directly in the fall, as soon as the seed casing has begun to split.
They do best in full sun, but react poorly to drought and frost.
The large, well-known flowers bloom in late spring to fall in colors such as, red, white, pink, yellow, and orange. Each bloom will last only a day or so. To promote continued blooming, remove faded flowers before they form seeds.
Hibiscus plants require a rich, organic loam soil that is acidic and needs to be kept moist. These plants also require regular irrigation.
Hibiscus should be fed twice a year.
In the early spring, or after flowering prune the Hibiscus plant for shape. Many Hibiscus will tolerate a hard pruning.
Hibiscus plants are susceptible to giant whiteflies and should be controlled by using Neem oil.