Does hibiscus climb? It is a question of many gardeners who love beautiful flowers and want to know more about them to have the best preparation.
In the article, we share with you everything related to the flower plant. You will get practical tips for caring for them too.
Without further ado, let’s get started!
Does Hibiscus Climb?
Yes and No. Because some vine hibiscus or climbing hibiscus plants can climb, but others can not. Normally, they become bushes or shrubs when they reach the mature stage and can’t climb.
So, it is up to its varieties. And each type of hibiscus displays different characteristics at the developing stage.
Regarding the tropical hibiscus, they develop like a big tree as it comes from the tree variety of the hibiscus family.
The maximum height of the type is about 8 feet. The single stem of this hibiscus is pretty strong too.
About climbing hibiscus, for example, the hardy hibiscus, also called hibiscus tree hardiness, can reach a height of 15 feet. The height is pretty impressive, right?
Besides, it is famous for having long branches or stems, so it is a piece of cake for them to wrap around objects or form a climbing structure like the wine we usually see.
The climbing hibiscus needs a trellis to support its climbing, just like zucchini plants.
How Does Trellis Support Hibiscus Climbing?
Give Hibiscus A Strong Structure To Lean On
As their stem is not strong, the trellis can help the vine hibiscus lean on. Then it can grow healthy when all the stems are upright and straight.
Overall, it helps your flower not fall over and never be out of shape because of bending. The plant is also fuller and more eye-catching as it grows following your plan.
Encourage Hibiscus To Reach Their Height
If you let it grow as its instinct, your hibiscus is less likely to reach its optimum height. But with a simple trellis that plays the role of a ladder, the climbing plant can grow to its fullest, fuller and taller.
Using a trellis is how you can help your plant to be strong and healthy, even by planting hibiscus in fall.
How To Set Up A Trellis For Hibiscus Climbing?
Choose The Right Trellis
One of the tips for choosing the right trellis for your flower is understanding your purpose, as trellis have various structures: cages, flats, and arches.
A cage is preferable if you are growing hardy hibiscus in containers, while arches would work wonders when your house has a gate.
And should you want to put hibiscus over your head as a rooftop, the flat trellises might help.
If it is used outdoors, you need a weather-proof trellis, as you don’t want your hibiscus to fall on the ground one day. A good trellis must have a sturdy structure and be strong enough to hold your plant.
Metal and wood are popular for gardeners as they match the criteria.
Make Sure You Place Your Trellis Properly
The correct position will facilitate hibiscus to climb easily and go up the sky. You can choose the spot amid your plant or make it like a wall behind your flower.
Ensure The Trellis Leg Is Secured On The Ground
Burying trellis legs in the ground is an important step because if you do not do it well, it is more likely to topple over when your plant grows heavier.
Prepare your garden tool, soften the surface and soil using the water, dig into the ground about 12 inches, then insert the trellis leg.
Push down these legs as much as you can. Don’t forget to use soil to cover gaps to ensure the trellis is in the right position.
Carefully Lean Your Hibiscus On The Trellis
Guide your plant towards the trellis. You can braid the stems around the trellis grids or curves. Applying some soft ties can help you secure the knot.
Be super careful so that you won’t damage the delicate branches.
Standard hibiscus spacing should be guaranteed to accommodate more stems and flowers later on.
How To Train Your Hibiscus To Climb?
Step 1
You need to choose the young hibiscus to start your training process. The best time to start training is early in the spring. Ensure that the selected plant is healthy, fuller, and strong.
Step 2
Pick a sturdy support structure for the hibiscus to climb up. Choose among a fence, a trellis, or a wall.
Step 3
Grow your plant close to its support structure. With a properly close position, your plant can begin climbing right away. Make sure the support structure does not cause harm for your young plant.
Step 4
Prepare soft material to tie the stake to the stem. Some T-shirt strips work just fine. Alternatively, you can buy plant ties and twine.
Gently tie the stem of the hibiscus to the support. This will help to instruct the branch in the right direction.
Remember that the knot should be tight enough to support the hibiscus growth but not too close so that the stem has enough room to develop.
Step 5
Upon the plant’s development, tie its stem to maintain its form, prevent it from toppling over, and stay upward.
Step 6
The best way to encourage the plant to grow toward its support structure is by bending its stem toward it.
Step 7
If your plant has several stems, choose the fuller and strong one to guide and tie to its support.
Step 8
When it reaches the support top, you can prepare another support at will.
Step 9
After successfully training your plant, don’t forget to eliminate the diseased and dead branches next late winter by using good lopping shears or garden shears.
By doing so, you can maintain the shape you have.
Now, just wait for a variety of colors: purple flowers, white flowers or any other showy flowers (depending on your plant type) blossoming among the greenery mat.
If you plant in spring, so later in the season, you can enjoy your success. But planting hibiscus in fall needs more extra care and is nutritious so that it can flower throughout the season.
How To Care For Hibiscus?
Light
Hibiscus loves the sun, which is why growing hibiscus in Colorado is considered the easiest because this is one of the places in the US closest to the sun.
The plant needs a full sun of 6 hours daily to bloom to its fullest. But if the sun is too hot in the afternoon, you must provide a shadow for it.
Grow some other plants near it or position it where there is a light shadow at noon.
In case you grow it in the house, place it near the window so it can get enough light. Some grow lights can support more light for your plant.
Soil
Some climbing hibiscuses are wetland plants; for example, Hibiscus diversifies, Hibiscus tiliaceus, and Hibiscus lasiocarpos.
They require very wet soil, almost like a sponge soaked in water. This is because they are adapted to living in environments with lots of standing water, like swamps and marshes.
Wetland hibiscus plants also like slightly acidic soil, which means it has a low pH.
Besides, some are upland plants: Hibiscus schizopetalus, Hibiscus syriacus, and Hibiscus vitifolius. So, based on its origin, you can justify the water to make it grow the best.
Temperatures
Climbing hibiscus plants like warm temperatures to thrive and bloom.
The best temperature for climbing hibiscus plants to blossom is usually between 65-75 Fahrenheit degrees, similar to the temperature you might feel on a warm summer day.
If the temperature is too cold, the hibiscus plant may not grow well or produce flowers. If the temperature is too hot, the plant may struggle and not deliver flowers.
Watering
Depending on the hibiscus type you grow, the water requirement is different.
However, even if you grow a wetland plant but don’t have moist spots, like water features, ponds, etc., don’t worry. Just ensure you water it daily, and it will adapt and thrive well.
When you feel the dry soil 1 inch from the ground, it means your plant needs water.
Fertilizing
Fertilizers should contain some of the plant’s most important nutrients, such as nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus.
You can buy the liquid form of fertilizing and water nutritious one time a week.
Or choose a slow-release one to give your plant special foods at 3 points: spring, first round & mid-summer. The second method is much more effortless.
FAQs
Does Growing Hardy Hibiscus In Containers Work?
Yes, it works! This means you can plant hibiscus in a pot or container instead of directly in the ground.
Just ensure the container is big enough, has good drainage, and water the plant regularly so it doesn’t dry out.
How Big Does A Hibiscus Bush Get?
20 feet.
Hibiscus bushes can grow to different sizes depending on the species and variety. Some types of hibiscus can grow very tall, like a tree, and reach heights of 20 feet.
Others may be smaller and only grow to be a few feet tall. Generally, hibiscus bushes grow quite big and can spread several feet wide, so planting them in an area with enough space is important.
Conclusion
So does hibiscus climb? You now know the answer and how to train and care for them.
Growing a striking and vibrant hibiscus that wows everyone right the first moment will take time. But it is worth it after all, as the flowers are amazing.
If you have any questions or comments, let us know, so we can give you the quickest response. Don’t forget to bookmark our website for next time. Thank you.
