White Hibiscus: Best Grow & Care Guide

The rare White Hibiscus gives a burst of white tropical brightness when it blooms with dark luscious green leaves.

This Hibiscus represents perennial, which flowers during the warmer months and undergoes dormancy in the winter. So, learn here how you can care best for White Hibiscus!

Overview of White Hibiscus

The genus Hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus) is native to the mallow family, Malvaceae, which is common in tropical India and Malaysia.  

White Hibiscus: A Detailed Care Guide

Generally, White Hibiscus is tolerant of urban conditions and can self-seed excessively in the optimum growing conditions.

1. Sunlight and Temperature

Unlike other tropics and subtropics houseplants, White Hibiscus needs dense light requirements under the full sun.  

Long-term exposition to bright direct sunlight can cause sunburn in the leaves, causing the leaves to discolor. 

So, you can place your White Hibiscus in a south or southwest-facing window to receive the maximum sunlight and avoid keeping the plant near cold drafts. 

Use 12-14 hours of augmented natural lighting during the cold winter to match the hibiscus plant’s light needs indoors.

2. Watering & Humidity 

White Hibiscus originates from places with regular and maximum rainfall, making them water-loving plants. 

But ensure you do not overwater your Hibiscus as they might suffer from wilting, root suffocation, and bad odor.  

In winter, cut down watering schedules and only water when the soil is dry with a 2-3 inch top. 

During dormant days, you can maintain humidity and temperature with bright light and a warm environment with moderate humidity using a humidifier or pebble tray. 

Or group the White Hibiscus pot with other houseplants or move it to the kitchen or bathroom with proper air ventilation. 

3. Soil & Fertilization 

White Hibiscus requires organic, well-draining, slightly acidic, just below a pH of 7.

You create your ideal homemade potting mix by combining two parts of garden soil, two parts peat moss,  and 1 part fine vermiculite or good perlite. 

As Hibiscus are quite heavy feeders, White Hibiscus needs 3-1-4 water-soluble fertilizers at half a strength with water. 

You can also purchase Sun-Gro Organic Soil, Espoma Organic Mix, etc. 

However, avoid Overfertilization that can cause the rotting of roots, salt build-ups, browning and wilting of lower leaves, and defoliation. 

On the other side, insufficient fertilization will result in stunted growth, pale yellowing of the leaves, and feeble new growth.

4. Potting & Repotting 

Pots of ceramic or unglazed clay with drainage holes are suitable for the growth and drainage of White Hibiscus. 

They can sustain in a tiny container for two years because of their tolerance for restricted root areas. 

A plant pot with a diameter of 10″ (25 cm) will suit your Hibiscus. However, if you need to repot the plant, use a 2-3 inches larger pot to avoid root bound as the plant can grow quite big. 

The best time to repot your Hibiscus is after the winter dormancy period or before the blossoming period of the spring.

5. Occasional Pruning 

Pruning your Hibiscus will encourage your plant to develop new shoots for flowers while maintaining a healthy height.

However, you need not wait for spring if your Hisbiscus suffers from pest attacks and diseases. 

Hisbiscus are prone to suffer from Mealybugs and Thrips, which are known for leaf discoloration and cottony-looking masses on leaves, branches, and stems.

In such a situation, it is better to keep your plant separate from nearby plants in the interim to prevent it from spreading.

You can also spray neem oil, insecticidal soaps, and horticultural oil or use cotton balls soaked in rubbing alcohol to control pest infestation. 

Diseases like Root rot, leaf spots, and Hibiscus chlorotic ringspot virus may disturb your Hibiscus. 

Check for symptoms such as downward-hanging foliage, bad root odor, water-soaked leaf spots, gray mold on soil and leaf mottling. 

White Hibiscus: All About Growth Rate

The White Hibiscus is a fast-growing perennial with white blossom and can get 12 feet tall and 10 feet wide. 

The enormous plant has an upright habit and blooms intermittently and steadily from midsummer to fall. 

The pearly white blooms of Hibiscus are big and have around five petals with crimson cores and yellow anthers.

The petals’ width ranges from 4 to 18 cm, and they can be double or single blooms depending on various hybrids and cultivars.

Similarly, their ovate leaves are about 8-10 cm long. The leaves grow spiraling around the tall stem.

Toxicity of White Hibiscus

No part of the White Hibiscus, including the leaves or the flowers, is toxic to humans and pets. 

Flowers, leaves, and seeds are edible, but consuming them exceedingly can cause upset stomach and vomiting. 

In case of any emergency, take help from the helplines below!

• ASPCA Poisoning Center : (800) 426-4435
• Poisoning Control Center, AAPCC: (800) 222-1222

Propagation Methods for White Hibiscus

You can populate White Hibiscus in early spring when the surrounding is warm. 

Before the propagation process, ensure you have the garden shears, appropriate soil mix, pots, and rooting hormone. 

1. The Stem Cutting Method

Choose a 6-8 inches stem with plenty of green leaves but no signs of development or bloom.  

• Remove the bulk of the bottom leaves off the stem, leaving only a few smaller leaves.
• Place the cutting in a container with a mix of water and rooting hormone. 
• Keep an eye out for fresh root growths, which can take 10-14 days.
• Then, transfer the cutting into a container with a new potting mix. 

You can also simply propagate the cutting through a soil medium by placing the cutting in fresh soil instead of water. 

Here, make sure to water the cutting and enclose the pot with clear plastic to increase the humidity.

You’ll notice root development in the soil medium after about eight weeks. 

2. Air-Layering Method 

Make two circular cuts separated by one or two inches with a sharp knife beneath the branch or leaf node of your cutting.  

• Remove the bark and green layer between the two incisions to reveal the branch’s white core.
• Apply a small layer of rooting hormone to the exposed branch.
• Put moistened Sphagnum moss on a plastic sheet on top of the aluminum foil.
• Wrap the bundle around the cutting with rubber bands.
• For at least four weeks, do not touch the plant.
• Gently place the stem with roots in well-draining soil. 

3. Propagation via Seeds

Though it is one of the longest processes, you can try it if you want the propagated Hibiscus to be different from its parent. 

White Hibiscus seeds can take between 2 and 3 months to reach maturity.

• Nick the Hibiscus seeds to encourage moisture to enter the seed.
• Immerse the nicked seeds in room temperature water for about eight hours. 
• Place seeds in a germinating tray with a seed-starting potting mix.  
• Submerge the seeds about a quarter-inch deep in the soil while keeping the tray in a sunny location.
• To enhance the humidity, cover the tray with transparent plastic.
• You’ll notice sprouts in your seeds in about 2-3 weeks or months.

Take a few moments to watch a video for further help!

White Hibiscus for Sale

If you have engulfed the care tips successfully, it’s now for you to take one or more plants home!