Hibiscus Schizopetalus Growing, Caring and Propagating

Hibiscus schizopetalus is an evergreen shrub included as one of  Hibiscus varieties which is native to tropical eastern Africa in Kenya, Mozambique and Tanzania. This hibiscus variety is well-known as Japanese lantern, coral hibiscus, fringed rosemallow and spider hibiscus.

Hibiscus schizopetalus has habit of flowering that used to elegant dropping and grows around 3 meters tall with slender stems. This hibiscus variety is a lovely addition to any sunny tropical garden. It has a main characteristic where the feathery petals curve upwards defying gravity.

Why do many people plant this hibiscus variety? The reason is that this variety is grown for its beautiful bright red to coral coloured flowers. The leaves are rounded and deep green with a toothed margin which creates a good barrier if they are planted close to a fence.

So, let’s learn how to plant, care and also propagate hibiscus schizopetalus through our post below!

Growing Hibiscus Schizopetalus by Cutting, Here’s the Guide!

This hibiscus variety needs to be planted in rich soil and organic material with mulch to keep it moist. It will be better to plant in more than -2C (29 F).

Step 1: Propagate by cutting

If you cannot grow the hibiscus schizopetalus from seeds, propagation by cutting can be your option. It’s better to start propagation in the early spring or with a temperature of 20 – 26 C (68 – 79) and better before the plant begins to grow after dormant and better to choose stems which are not going to bloom.

There are some requirements to propagate by cutting, they are moist soil, peat soil, high humidity, hormone for root growth and highly recommended to use green house or small plastic box with holes. Usually it will take a few weeks on average.

You should know that the light in optimal condition for growing this plant is in full sun area. The recommended planting season is in spring in hardiness zone 10a, spring to autumn in hardiness zone 11, spring to summer in hardiness zone 110b and all year in hardiness zone 12+. This hibiscus variety will be invasive in the tropical.

Step 2: Plant the hibiscus schizopetalus

If the roots have grown, it’s a great time to plant hibiscus schizopetalus. After you find the best planting site to grow it, you can dig hole bigger 50% more than the root ball. After that, add the organic matter, hummus and dead leaves, put back some soil and mix it.

Then, you can put the cover slightly but strong enough which will not fall. If needed, you can put support for the plant, however, if the plant is not stable, make sure to consider pruning and watering it twice in the first day and every day for two weeks.

It’s better for you to put in more water than the regular average amount of water. You can also add fertilizer after the plant is established. The ideal size of this plant is around 1 – 3 m/ 3 – 10 feet.

Step 3: Take care of the plant

Make sure to add fertilizer at least once. Putting the mulch, hummus and organic matter is a must in order to keep the soil moist. Make sure to avoid this plant from pests and diseases including mealy bugs, aphids and mites.

You can prune this plant once a year in autumn or winter. In the way of pruning, ensure to prune the weak branches, dead leaves and flowers.

Okay, that’s step-by-step growing the hibiscus schizopetalus through propagation by cutting.

Read also : Hibiscus Uses for human

How If You Want to Plant Hibiscus Schizopetalus Indoor?

Unfortunately, it’s impossible to grow the hibiscus schizopetalus indoors as this plant really needs the full-sun area. Instead, you can grow the hibiscus schizopetalus in pots, planters, containers and flowerpots. If you plant the hibiscus schizopetalus in a pot, you can put it on the terrace.

If you grow the hibiscus schizopetalus in a pot, make sure to use a 50% bigger pot than the root ball. Every time you replace the pot to bigger, replace some of the soil to new soil until it arrives at the desirable container size.

After that, every year it’s better to switch part of the soil and cut some roots. You do not need to take the plant out just from the side of the container. This plant can totally grow in a container of 10 – 20 L (2 – 4 gallons). In other words, it will grow well in a mixture of peat soil and perlite or other light mixed soil.

Make sure to water this plant regularly and care when put down for the pot. Be careful to let the water stay there too many days. To make it grow bigger, adding humus, fertilizer, organic matter and also mulch to cover the soil in keeping it moist is totally a must for you.

How to Grow Hibiscus Schizopetalus From Seeds?

If you choose to grow the hibiscus schizopetalus from seeds, make sure to meet any requirements including moist soil, humidity, 20 – 26 C (68 – 80 F), full sun or half sun if there are heat waves in the spring.

You have to save the seeds and care for the seeds until sowing in a dry and dark area. Recommended sowing season is in spring, autumn, summer and in locations with cold winter better not in the autumn.

To plant hibiscus schizopetalus from seeds, make sure to plant in soil which stays moist and does not let the soil dry. Give the planting space around 3×5 cm to transplant and better not to transplant it before 5 leaves, directly depending on 1×1 m (40×40).

The depth of sowing is around 0.5 – 1 cm (0.25 – 0.5 inch), but cover lightly and do not push. The ideal condition for seeds to germinate is in full sun and moist soil. Make sure to water seeds in an average amount of water or a big amount of water. The germination time is around 14 – 25 days. If you once see at least five leaves, it’s possible to add fertilizer and put the mulch.

It’s important to note that growing hibiscus schizopetalus from seeds will require more painstaking handling than growing from cutting.