Do Hibiscus Come Back Every Year?

Are you looking to add a burst of the tropical into your yard or garden? Planting a hibiscus is an easy way to inject a welcome burst of life and color into any outdoor space. These awe-inspiring plants come in a range of colors, from white and yellow to pink and blue.

Before you buy a new plant, there are a few important things to consider. First, how do you care for it? What’s its life span, and does it come back every year? If you want a beautiful bloom that will return year after year, you might be wondering whether the hibiscus is right for you.

Stick with us to learn everything about the hibiscus, including its lifespan, growing conditions, and more.

What Is The Hibiscus?

The hibiscus, or hibiscus sabdariffa or roselle, is a genus of flowering plants from the mallow family, Malvaceae. This genus includes a variety of shrubs, trees, and herbs, and it’s estimated that there are around 200 different species of hibiscus in the world.

The hibiscus is native to warm, tropical regions, and it’s closely associated with Hawaii, where it’s the native flower.

The leaves of the hibiscus plant are alternatively arranged on its branches, and the plant develops one large, trumpet-shaped flower with no scent. The flower’s trumpet contains both the male and female reproductive organs (stamen and pistil).

With over 200 species of hibiscus, it’s no surprise that there are both indoor and outdoor varieties, each of which will require different growing conditions. So let’s take a look at the indoor and outdoor varieties.

Indoor Hibiscus

Tropical plants like the hibiscus also make excellent houseplants. The hibiscus can tolerate average indoor temperatures, but it can also accept conditions as low as 30 or 26 Fahrenheit. However, the hibiscus can only cope with these cold conditions in short bursts.

However, growing the hibiscus in cooler temperatures in the winter (60 Fahrenheit) can work well, as it reduces the need for watering and helps keep most pests and insects away.

Several hibiscus varieties can grow indoors; however, the most common is the Chinese hibiscus. The indoor hibiscus can live for forty years in the right conditions.

Outdoor Hibiscus

Hibiscus plants are known for being temperamental and sensitive, particularly indoors, but many species can cope well in outdoor climates as long as they receive the right care.

A hibiscus needs a warm position in full sun, preferably sheltered from cold and strong winds. Outdoor hibiscus varieties prefer well-drained soil that can stay moist during the summer. Soil should be watered evenly to keep it moist.

Do Hibiscus Come Back Every Year?

If you plant your hibiscus outside, it may die to the ground after experiencing a hard frost in the fall. This is normal, and there’s no reason to panic.

If this happens, simply cut your outdoor hibiscus down to a height of ten to thirteen centimeters, and the plants will start to regrow from their roots once temperatures begin to climb back up.

Remember: many outdoor hibiscuses won’t make an appearance won’t start to show until May or June, and their blooms will start to grow in a mass until the fall.

Hibiscus: Perennial And Tropical

There are two categories of hibiscus: perennial and tropical.

The perennial (or hardy) hibiscus returns every year. However, the tropical hibiscus is less likely to come back. The tropical hibiscus should be treated as an annual. Many gardeners tend to replant them annually or bring them back inside to grow indoors during the winter months.

On the flip side, the perennial hibiscus will die down to the ground in the winter, and return again in the Springtime.

Planting Your Hibiscus

Tropical Hibiscus

If you’ve acquired a tropical hibiscus in the winter… don’t panic!

It’s best to start off growing your tropical hibiscus inside during the winter. We recommend starting the tropical hibiscus off in the late Spring – this way, you can grow directly in the ground or in an outdoor container. This will be much easier for beginner and experienced planters.

The tropical hibiscus can be sensitive to indoor conditions, and without regular care and attention, it may die or wilt before you get a chance to put it in the ground.

With the right care and growing conditions, your tropical hibiscus will be fast-growing, and you can expect it to grow by an average of 24 inches per year. Eventually, the tropical hibiscus can grow as tall as 15 feet.

If you’re planting your tropical hibiscus outside, ensure it has access to full sun. However, if you live somewhere that’s notoriously hot and dry by nature, it’s best to plant your hibiscus somewhere with partial shade.

If your plant isn’t consistently producing buds and flowers in its blooming season, it’s not happy with its conditions. Consider moving it to a sunnier location.

If you’re planting your tropical hibiscus in a growing container, use a well-drained potting mix to avoid any risk of root rot or damage.

Perennial Hibiscus

The perennial hibiscus is called ‘hardy’ for a reason. It’s less sensitive to cooler temperatures than the tropical variety, so you won’t need a warm climate to grow your perennial outdoors.

You can expect your hardy hibiscus to grow as tall as five or six feet, and thankfully, it needs minimal maintenance to thrive.

Like the tropical hibiscus, your hardy hibiscus should be planted in either full sun or partial shade. Opt for well-drained soil to avoid waterlogging and root rot, and remember to water frequently enough to keep the soil consistently and evenly moist.

Once your perennial hibiscus has completed its first bloom, you can cut it back, and it will regrow with another bloom in mid-October. After the first frost, you should prune your hibiscus back to around 4 or 5 inches. Remember to remove the flowers to encourage more growth.

Final Thoughts

The hibiscus is a must-have plant for any garden or living space. If you need a plant to keep your garden looking bold and vibrant into the fall, the hardy hibiscus is a must-have.

One of the most things about the hardy hibiscus is that it will return year after year. The hibiscus will make an excellent addition to your garden for years to come, with the right conditions and some generous pruning.