How to Grow Best Hibiscus Coccineus and Care

Have you heard about Hibiscus Coccineus? If not, you may have heard about Scarlet rose mallow, Scarlet rosemallow, Scarlet hibiscus, Brilliant hibiscus or Texas star hibiscus. Well, those are common names of Hibiscus coccineus. Even though one of the common name of this plant is Texas Star, but the native plant does not call Texas home. This plant is hardy and has woody stems. The foliage also resembles Cannabis sativa. If you like this plant and you want to grow it, here are presented the steps to grow and care this plant according to Plant Care Today and The Spruce.

The Steps to Propagate Hibiscus Coccineus

If you want to propagate Hibiscus coccineus by using seeds, you are able to follow the steps below according to Plant Care Today website.

• Hibiscus coccineus can grow easily from seed. You can can the seed from the plant or you can buy it from a nursery.
• If you decide to collect seeds from the plant, you have to permit the flowers to fall naturally without cutting it.
• It is important for you to note that a green seed pod develops at the base of the flower. If the seed pod turns brown, you can use pruning shears to remove the pod.
• Then, you can crack open the pod carefully to remove the seeds.
• Then, store the seeds in envelopes until early spring.
• Now, you have to scatter the seeds in starter trays by using standard potting soil.
• You have to make sure that you keep the soil moist until the seeds germinate.
• To get the best results, make sure that you don’t let the seedlings dry out and put them near a window to get a lot of sunlight.
• After the last threat of frost passes, you can transplant the young plants to their permanent homes.

According to The Spruce website, it is better for you to scrape seeds with sandpaper or a nail file. It is done to make them germinate faster. Also, you can soak the seeds first in warm water for a minimum of an hour to soften. It will take around two weeks for the germination.

If you want to propagate with stem cuttings in the spring, you are able to follow the steps below according to Plant Care Today.

• The first thing that you have to do is to take 5” to 6” inch-long cuttings by using a pair of pruning shears.
• After that, the cuttings must be dipped in rooting hormone.
• Now, you have to use containers which are filled with damp peat moss or vermiculite.
• Then, press the cuttings 3” inches into the soil.
• At last, you can put the containers outdoors or indoors but you have to make sure it avoids direct sunlight.

When you find that the cuttings begin producing new leaves, you are able to transplant the plants. You can put it in the garden or pot.

How to Care Hibiscus Coccineus

There are a number factors that you have to note when talking about caring Hibiscus Coccineus including watering, feeding, soil, light, temperature and humidity and pruning. Here are the explanation of each factor.

• Watering

You have to keep the soil moist during the growing season from spring through late fall. When winter comes, you have to limit watering, but avoid letting the soil completely dry out.

• Fertilizing

For fertilizing, you are able to give it a slow-release, balanced, and diluted fertilizer. You can give it during the growing season monthly. If you give more often feedings in the spring, it may help the growth of the plant.

• Soil

This plant can grow well in soils which are sandy, loamy or clay and it is able to cope with wet soils with medium drainage. Do you live in a drier area? If so, mulching can help the soil to get moisture that needed.

• Light

This plant is usually grown outdoors because of the height. How about the light needed by this plant? It needs full sun to partial shade. It is important for you to note that while this plant grows in partial shade, if it gets too much shade, it may diminish flowering and cause leggy growth. So, make sure that you do not plant it in an area with too much shade.

• Temperature and Humidity

Hibiscus coccineus likes hot and humid summers. It must have a good layer of mulch during the winter if you live in a more temperate region. By doing this, it will help promote new growth the following season. With mulch, Hibiscus coccineus is not appropriated to areas which are prone to harsh freezing winter conditions. This plant is able to be susceptible to windburn. So, due it its height, it is better for you to put them in a sheltered position.

• Pruning

You are able to cut the stems back towards the end of the winter so that it can encourage healthy new growth. It is done to keep the height of your Hibiscus coccineus in check. Hibiscus coccineus is categorized into fast growers and it can reach a decent height again the following season where it can reach the full 6’ foot size each year.

Disease of Hibiscus Coccineus

This plant can attract butterflies and hummingbirds. However, this is not a threat for the plant. The things that can be issues for your Hibiscus coccineus are aphids, Japanese beetles and hibiscus whiteflies. To remove them from your plants, you can spray cold water on the leaves. To the water, you are also able to add a few drops of dish soap. If you find that the pests are still remain, you can use an insecticidal soap.

Besides, this plant can also be prone to a fungal disease or usually known as rust. Those are orange spots which are the same as the color of rust and it can start to appear on the leaves. To remove it, you are able to trim it. Then, you can spray the soil with water to help clear away any debris, particularly if it is grown in the garden around other plants. If you have trimmed it but the issue is not cleared up by winter, you can cut the stems back to the ground.