The hibiscus is a democratic flush for family gardens . There are many dissimilar variety of hibiscus , and they all hang into two canonical class : tropical and hardy . Distinguishing between tropic and hardy hibiscus is substantive to growing them successfully . tropic hibiscus grow in the warmest zones , as name by the USDA in its hardiness zone mathematical function . Hardy hibiscus originate in moth-eaten zones and are tolerant of coarse winter temperatures .
The main difference between hardy and tropical hibiscus is that hardy hibiscus can grow in every geographical zone except for geographical zone 9 . tropic hibiscus does not bear freezing temperature and can not survive more than brief periods of cold . Hardy hibiscus tolerate freeze temperatures and can outlast winters in frigid northern clime . Although they die back for wintertime , they do return in spring , often grow new ontogenesis from the roots .
Tropical hibiscus is native to tropical climates . Tropical hibiscus shrubs fall behind their leaves , but they stay fleeceable all year and develop fresh ones as the sure-enough I die . Because they ca n’t survive cold weather , they only grow outside in strong places where wintertime are mild and stale magic spell are short . tropic hibiscus has a long blooming time of year , beginning in give and go on through recent fall . Zone 9 is the coldest suitable geographical zone for tropic hibiscus .
Hibiscus species that are dauntless , perennial , or wintertime hardy follow from the Rose Mallow , Hibiscus moscheutos , Hibiscus mutabilis , or Hibiscus coccineus . All varieties of fearless hibiscus are native to field with frigid , harsh wintertime . Most varieties of brave hibiscus die back to the ground in winter . unexampled ontogeny emerges in spring from the root tops . Hardy hibiscus has a shorter bloom season . With temperature that can drop to -30 stage F in zone 4 and 10 degrees F in zona 8 , this plant does best where it is maturate .
The American Hibiscus Society calls Formosan hibiscus , or Hibiscus rosa - sinensis , “ nance of the Tropics . ” Regular and variegated sort are sold at most garden centre . This is a tropic variety that is not wintertime hardy . Confederate Rose originate into a shrub that can reach out 6 to 8 feet gamy and wide . If carefully pruned , it can acquire into a 12- to 15 - base multiple - body tree . individual or double bloom are 4 to 6 inches in diameter . Rose of Sharon is a lovely kind that is native to Asia . It has dark green leave , fast maturation , and a long flowering time of year . Its flowers are blanched , racy , imperial , or pink , and they can be single or duple .
Texas Star hibiscus is characterized by hopeful - flushed or white star - mold blooms . This hardy hibiscus is adaptable to most conditions and can tolerate drought . Turks crownwork is aboriginal to Texas and Mexico . This drought - broad , maintenance - free plant is fuck for luring hummingbird . It is an evergreen recurrent bush that grows 5 foot tall . blood-red blooms are most rough-cut , but white and pinkish exist . Blooming flowers look like upright buds that do nt open up .
Hibiscus are beautiful , tropic - look flower that can add a dab of color to any garden However , not all hibiscus are make adequate There are two main type of hibiscus – tropical and hardy . recite the difference between these two types of hibiscus can be confuse for gardeners , specially those who live in cold climates . This pathfinder will explain the key differences between tropic and hardy hibiscus to help you distinguish which character you have in your garden .
Hardiness Zones
The first and easiest means to order if your hibiscus is tropical or hardy is to check which USDA industrial plant hardiness geographical zone you live in .
Tropical hibiscus thrive in zone 9 - 11 only . They require warm temperatures class - daily round and can not support any frost or freezing atmospheric condition . stress grow tropical hibiscus in zones colder than 9 , and you ’ll likely cease up with a dead plant when winter come .
unfearing hibiscus , on the other hand , can pull through colder temperatures . They originate well in zone 4 - 9 , meaning they can do by winter temperatures as cold as -30 ° F ( -34 ° coke ) . This create them ideal for northern gardeners who desire the looking of tropic hibiscus blossom but live outside the Torrid Zone .
So if you live in geographical zone 8 or below , your hibiscus is almost for certain a fearless variety . And if you ’re in zone 9 or above , it ’s likely a tropical plant life . For gardeners in the transitional zones ( 8 - 9 ) , read on for more recognition tips .
Leaf and Stem Differences
Tropical and hardy hibiscus can also be told apart by examining the leaves and stems
Tropical hibiscus have smooth , glazed green leave-taking that are delicate and slender . The shank are green or reddish - fleeceable and fairly thin and lithesome .
unfearing hibiscus leaves are matte green , thicker , and often have a toothed or lightly lobed edge . Their stems are thick and woody than tropical types .
So if your hibiscus has big shiny leafage and svelte stem , it ’s probably a tropic variety . Thicker leaf and woodier stems argue a stout case .
Winter Dieback
Another clue is to observe how the plant behaves in wintertime .
In cooler clime , sturdy hibiscus will pop off back to the ground in crepuscle when temperatures unload . They regrow from the ancestor system each springiness . Any dead emergence is normal and part of their dormancy cycle .
Tropical hibiscus keep their parting and stem yr - round where wintertime are warm . If the root turn chocolate-brown and snuff it off in wintertime , it means the works freeze and likely is n’t a fearless eccentric .
So if your hibiscus pass away back completely in winter , it ’s dauntless . If it remains evergreen plant all year , it ’s tropical .
Flower Colors
The range of heyday colour can also point whether a hibiscus is tropical or stalwart :
tropic hibiscus come in bright , hot colors like scarlet , orange , yellow , peach , pinkish , and multicolored combination .
audacious hibiscus generally have prime in cooler shades of white , pinkish , mauve , or red . Pure orangish , yellow-bellied , peach , and multicolors are rare in fearless types .
So if your hibiscus has blossom in affectionate , bright color , specially multitones , it is belike tropic . Cooler prime coloration , specially pure pinkish , white , or cherry , unremarkably point a hardy miscellany .
There are always exceptions , but this general guidepost defy true for most cultivated hibiscus varieties .
Flower Size
Tropical hibiscus generally have slightly larger flowers than intrepid 1 .
The vast , dinner party collection plate - sized blooms you see decorating Hawaiian leis are tropical hibiscus . Their peak can grow up to 6 - 8 inches wide .
Hardy hibiscus grow material 4 - 6 inch flowers , though seldom achieving the gigantic dimension of tropical type .
So while the size of it difference is n’t classical on its own , it can provide one more clue to assist decide if your plant is tropical or hardy .
Growth Habit
fearless and tropical hibiscus also dissent in terms of their emergence habits :
Tropical hibiscus are straggle , multi - stemmed shrubs . They can easily attain heights of 6 - 15 feet at maturity .
Hardy hibiscus grow as upright , exclusive - stemmed plants that top out around 4 - 6 infantry tall .
So if your hibiscus is a giant , spreading shrub , it ’s likely a tropic multifariousness . A smaller , Sir Herbert Beerbohm Tree - like variety indicates a hardy type .
Origin
Finally , the origin of the plant life provide a hint . Most commercially sold hibiscus are grafted varieties . hold back the tag or plant label for information on where the cultivar was bred .
tropic hibiscus are native to neighborhood like Hawaii , Tahiti , Fiji and other tropical location . Cultivars breed from these works will also be tropic .
Hardy hibiscus originate from temperate expanse like North America and England . cultivar from these sources will be hardy miscellanea .
billet of origin is n’t foolproof , but it can offer one more piece of helpful information to solve the tropical vs. hardy mystery .
Still Not Sure?
With all these tips , you should be able to accurately decide whether your hibiscus is a tropical or hardy variety .
If you ’re still uncertain , consult with your local nursery or extension phone business office . They can provide unequivocal identification based on your specific plant and growing condition .
The right hibiscus for your mood will repay you with years of outstanding floral displays . Now that you eff how to ID tropic and hardy types , you’re able to ensure success by selecting worthy varieties for your garden .
How Do I Tell If the Hibiscus Bush I Just Bought Is Perennial or Tropical?
FAQ
What does a fearless hibiscus look like ?
Is my hibiscus recurrent or tropic ?
How do I identify my hibiscus ?
What is the divergence between Hardy and tropical hibiscus ?
The first difference between hardy and tropical hibiscus is their hardiness zone . Hardy hibiscus are known to be brave in zones 5 through 9 , while tropic hibiscus is only hardy in zones 10 and 11 . This mean that hardy hibiscus can survive in colder climate , while tropic hibiscus will not come through in temperature below 50 degrees Fahrenheit .
How do you have a go at it if a hibiscus is hardy or tropical ?
The simple way to differentiate a audacious hibiscus from a tropical is to look at their leaves . If the leaf is heart shaped with a jagged border , you ’re probably looking at a hardy hibiscus . On the other hired man , a tropical hibiscus has glossy leaves that are a deeper green color than stalwart hibiscus .
Is Hibiscus a sturdy plant ?
Hardy hibiscus tolerates harsh wintertime as far as USDA works Hardiness Zone 4 . There ’s a noticeable departure in the hardy and tropic hibiscus leaf as well . tropic hibiscus plant have glossy , deep - green leaves . On the other mitt , brave hibiscus has kernel - shaped leaf with jagged edges that are duller in color .
What do hibiscus leaves look like ?
leafage are succulent green , with some metal money having heart - shaped ovate leafage and others having lob , palmate leaves . Varieties of brave hibiscus differ from tropic hibiscus because they grow in cold climate . mintage of tropic hibiscus such as Chinese hibiscus ( Hibiscus rosa - sinensis ) only grow in USDA zones 10 through 12 .
