Is Hibiscus a Perennial or Annual Plant? The Comparison!

Hibiscus plants are big flowers which look beautiful with a wide range of colors. You may find these plants in a place when you are walking and then you wonder whether the plants are perennial or annual. Let’s find the fact about this plant here that we got from the Planted Shack website.

Perennial Hibiscus and Annual Hibiscus

According to the Planted Shack website, there are two main types of hibiscus plants. Those are Tropical Hibiscus or Annual Hibiscus and Perennial Hibiscus. Technically Tropical Hibiscus is known as hibiscus rosa sinensis. The Tropical hibiscus is a container plant. It is because it is not winter hardy and it will have to be brought inside during the winter. However, if you live in an extremely warm climate, you may not need to bring it inside. Meanwhile, Perennial hibiscus is like a shrub and then it will die back to the ground every winter. But then, this plant will grow back again when the spring comes.

Let’s find out the explanation below about the difference between Annual and Perennial Hibiscus

The Difference Between Annual and Perennial Hibiscus

According to the Planted Shack website, a species of annual plant lives for one growing season. And then, it will die and it will not grow again. Different from annual plants, a perennial plant species will grow again when spring comes.

What is another difference between annual and perennial hibiscus? Another difference between them is at the genetic level. Scientists identified that there are two flower-inducing genes which are turned on in annual plants. The genes help them to be able to grow fast after germination which then makes the plants grow flowers fast and again the germination of seed. This plant has a function to make a lot of seeds. So, this plant works to keep its own species moving and kick in the next growing season because the plant will not survive.

In annual plants, there is a genetic code. It permits the plants to take their time to be able to build a solid foundation and structure before they go to the flowering stage. They live over winter so, in their bulbs or tubers, there are cells which have not been coded into a certain special function yet. When the growing season begins, often these are turned into leaves and stalks.

When the genetics of the plant are set up to have flowers later, there will be more energy which can be put into the stability of the plant.

How to Plant and Take Care of These Two Types of Hibiscus

As explained in the Planted Shack website, tropical Hibiscus or annual hibiscus have big blooms which have the shades of red, white, orange, yellow, pink, lavender or a bi-colored mix. Their leaves are usually dark green and look glossy. This plant is only hardy in zones 10 – 12. If you live in a warmest climate, the plant will not be able to survive winter, unless you take it indoors. So, it is recommended for you to plant this type of hibiscus in a container.

If you want to plant a tropical hibiscus in a container, you need no more than twice as wide as the root ball on the plant. You have to put about 1/3 of the way with potting soil in the container. If you add it with a moisture control mix, it will help the plant a lot. It is because it likes moist but not wet soil. You have to manage the hibiscus in the container and then you have to fill in around the root ball with more potting soil. You can set it an inch below the top of the container since it is the ideal seating of the root. Don’t forget to water the plant when you are done.

You have to continue to take care of your tropical hibiscus by watering it whenever the top inch of soil is dry. In summer months, you usually have to water it around three to four times in a week. When the weather is cooler, you do not need to water it often.

Also, you have to make sure that this plant gets full sun regardless if this plant is planted in the ground in a warm climate or in a container. This plant prefers soil which is well-drained but moist. If you plant this plant in a container, you have to keep the plant indoors when you find that the temperatures at night dip below 50 degrees.

Perennial hibiscus grows which look like shrubs. Their blooms are large, colorful and the color ranges from red, pink, lavender, burgundy or white. Some shrubs are able to grow to be around even to eight feet tall. You can also find dwarf varieties and you can choose to have it if you do not like plants which tower in your garden.

How about the size of the flowers and leaves of perennial hibiscus? It depends on the variety of hibiscus because there are a number of perennial types. In the mid season to late season, you will see the colors in your garden. This plant will die back to ground level every winter and then when spring comes, it will grow again.

In zones four to nine, this type of hibiscus is hardy. Besides, it prefers to get full sun. However, you have to make sure that the soil does not completely dry out. If you want to plant this perennial hibiscus, you are able to do that in low spots in your garden area.

You plant this type of hibiscus, it is better for you to plant it in the early spring if possible. Why do we have to plant it in the early spring? It is because by planting them in early spring, the plant will have a complete growing season to build itself including the systems of roots, before winter comes. However, if you decide to plant this type of hibiscus in the fall, it may not be as reliable as the plant which is planted in the spring.

To plant this type of hibiscus, you have to find a spot in your garden which permits soil that never dries out and complete sun exposure. After that, you can dig a hole where the depth is around the root ball system and the width is twice  of the root ball system. Then, put the plant into the hole and then fill in around the root ball. After you are done, water it.

To take care of this type of hibiscus, water it every couple of days in the first weeks after you plant it. Then, you can water it twice a week during the first growing season of the plant.