Can You Grow Hibiscus In Maine?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Can you grow hibiscus in Maine? There are several species of hibiscus that are native to the US, mostly the central and southern states, but

some will survive and thrive up here in Maine

!

Can hibiscus grow in New England?


Yes, you can grow hardy hibiscus in New England

. Often people think of the tropical houseplant when I mention this plant, but there is a hardy version that looks just as beautiful.

Can a hibiscus plant survive the winter?

(That said,

if you have a hardy hibiscus, which is sold in the perennials section of your local garden center, that plant can stay outdoors over winter

. It will go dormant this fall, rest over winter, and produce new growth in late spring with flowers following in summer).

Can you grow hibiscus in the Northeast?

Hardy hibiscus grows well in sun or partial shade in moist soil. It’s hardy in plant zones 4 through 9, so

it can be grown throughout most of the Northeast

.

What states do hibiscus grow in?

Hibiscuses can be found in

all of the 48 contiguous states

, and they run the gamut of variety. They can be perennial or annual, evergreen or deciduous, native or exotic. They can be found in swamps, marshes in the eastern states, or dry rocky areas in the west.

Will a hibiscus survive a New England winter?

The plant grows 3- to 6- feet tall and produces whopping 8- to 12-inch diameter flowers until frost. Unlike its tropical cousin, the perennial hibiscus is hardy to zone 4 so grows well around the state. Unlike its woody tropical cousins, it’s an herbaceous perennial. Meaning

it dies back to the ground in winter

.

How do you overwinter hibiscus in New England?

You can overwinter these plants with some care and attention.

Bring them inside to a warm and sunny location, and keep the soil as evenly moist as you can

. Check for bugs. Leaves will drop off, and it may look a little haggard, but it will spring back once placed outdoors in warm weather again.

Do hibiscus come back after freezing?

This shrubby plant can survive an occasional frost but

its stems and leaves may die back a bit

. As long as the roots don’t freeze, however, you can prune the dead parts away and new growth will sprout in spring.

What temp is too cold for hibiscus?

Hibiscuses like temperatures between 60-85°F. If temperatures are

below 50°F

, most growth and blooming will stop and flower size will be smaller and deformed. A freeze will cause the plant to die so be sure to move your plant indoors before the first fall frost. Hibiscus is also very sensitive to extreme heat.

How can I tell if my hibiscus is hardy or tropical?

Another way to check is

if the flowers are salmon, peach, orange, or yellow, or double flowered

, then you probably have a TROPICAL hibiscus. Hardy hibiscus do not come in these colors or in doubles! Many tropical hibiscus flowers have more than one color in a bloom either in bands or as spots.

Will hibiscus survive winter in Zone 7?

Hibiscus plant varieties that are

cold hardy enough for zone 7

are easy to grow. They can be started from seed and start producing flowers in the first year. They grow quickly and without much intervention needed.

How do you winterize a hibiscus?

Can hibiscus survive winter in Zone 5?

A hardy hibiscus needs very little care over the winter and is

hardy to about Zone 5 with no protection

.

Can hibiscus take high heat?


Hibiscus do fine as long as summer temperatures stay below 95°F (35°C)

, but they start looking frazzled when temperatures climb higher, especially if heat stays high for several days or weeks. Our feature article this month will help will give you Tips for Hibiscus in Extreme Summer Heat.

Do hibiscus come back every year?

Do hibiscus plants come back every year?

Yes, cold hardy hibiscus plants will go dormant and come back in the spring every year in the right growing zone

. Tropical varieties will stay evergreen in warm climates, but are otherwise grown as annuals, or kept as houseplants.

What zones can you plant hibiscus?

They grow well in full sun and can only survive outdoors in the winter in

zones 10-12

. In cooler areas they make great container plants, and are sometimes available as “standards,” or little hibiscus “trees.” Perennial hibiscus plants can survive the winter in zones 4 to 9.

Is hibiscus poisonous to dogs?

Hibiscus


In most cases, hibiscus is non-toxic for pets

, but the Rose of Sharon (Hibiscus syriacus) is a type of hibiscus that can be harmful to your furry friend. If a dog ingests a significant amount of this hibiscus’ flower, they can experience nausea, diarrhea, and vomiting.

What do you do with hardy hibiscus in the winter?

Hardy Hibiscus plants should be

covered in winter when grown in areas with cold temperatures and snow

. Pack mulch around the base of the plant to help protect the roots. The plant can be wrapped in fabric or a tarp to ward off chilly temps and wind.

Should hibiscus be planted in the ground?

Can I plant it in the ground and if so, will they return every year?

Hibiscus grow best in the ground

, however, they cannot take cold weather, so if you have freezes during the winter, you may want to keep your hibiscus potted.

Can hibiscus grow in Zone 8?

In most cases,

growing hibiscus in zone 8 requires little extra care other than providing well-draining soil, full sun, supplemental irrigation in hot summers and a light nitrogen fertilizer in spring

. The tropical varieties should be grown in pots, even if you choose to sink the pots in ground.

How long will a hibiscus live?

Cooler weather may yield slightly longer blooms and newer hybrids have blooms that can last three days. How long will tropical hibiscus live? Many traditional varieties of tropical hibiscus can live for

over 50 years, but newer hybrids have a lifespan of up to 10 years

.

Can you grow hibiscus indoors?


All houseplants have an ideal spot where they’ll thrive indoors

. As for hibiscus, they like to be near a bright window, where they’ll receive as much sunshine as possible. The sunniest window in your house is the best place for them. They will survive with less rays, but may not bloom.

Can Hardy hibiscus grow in pots?


They do well as container-grown plants

, too, allowing you the opportunity to bring the plant indoors for the winter season if you live in a cold climate. Repot container-grown hibiscus into a larger pot every two to three years.

Can hibiscus grow in cold climates?

How hardy is a perennial hibiscus? Hardy hibiscus is fully hardy in USDA zones 5-9 which means

the plants survive winter temperatures as low as -20°F

. It shrugs frost off like a champ. Since it dies back to the ground each winter, there is no need to mulch the stems through the colder months.

What is the hardiest hibiscus?


Perennial Hibiscus

, commonly known as Rose Mallow

Perennial hibiscus are hardy perennials in zones 4-9. Their large stature and dinner plate sized blossoms make them the talk of the neighborhood from midsummer to early fall as they flaunt their tropical looking blossoms.

Do you cover hibiscus in winter?

During the cold winter months, warm-weather plants, such as the tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), require protection from frost.

Once temperatures drop to 20 degrees Fahrenheit, you’ll need to cover the hibiscus plants with a frost cloth

.

Can hibiscus grow Zone 6?


Growing hibiscus in zone 6 is very easy, as long as you choose a hardy variety

. Hardy hibiscus plants are usually hardy down to zone 4. Their sizes vary depending on their species, but as a rule, they’re bigger than their tropical cousins, sometimes reaching heights of 15 feet (4.5 m.) and widths of 8 feet (2.4 m.) .

Can I grow hibiscus in NY?


A few species, such as Hibiscus moscheutos, can even be found growing natively in New York’s wetlands

. Regardless of species, it’s hard to miss these flamboyant flowers!

What is a perennial hibiscus?

Can you grow hibiscus in New Jersey?

In New Jersey, the tropical hibiscus is one of the more sought after annuals seen quite frequently in entryway urns, patio planters and especially surrounding pools – but did you know that

there are hibiscus plants that are actually hardy for our area

?

How do you grow hardy hibiscus?


Hardy Hibiscus does best in full sun

. They will grow in partial shade, but growth and flowering will suffer. If you live in areas with very hot summers, during the hottest part of the day, Hibiscus may need shade. Hibiscus should be planted along, or in the back of perennial flower beds.

David Martineau
Author
David Martineau
David is an interior designer and home improvement expert. With a degree in architecture, David has worked on various renovation projects and has written for several home and garden publications. David's expertise in decorating, renovation, and repair will help you create your dream home.