I have a hibiscus plant and need help. what king of plant is it. is it an annual or perennial type plant.?

Answer 1

Hibiscus are perennials. They come back each year unless you expose them to a hard freeze that kills them. So if it gets really cold, cover them up with a sheet or tarp or something like that.

Answer 2

Hibiscus comes from the plant family Malvaceae, and is native to warm temperate, subtropical and tropical regions throughout the world. The genus includes both annual and perennial herbaceous plants. Actually, ours have grown into more or less a woody type shrub, almost like a tree. One of the most common plants, at least here in Memphis, is the "syriacus" which is the scientific name for Rose of Sharon. Our particular cultivars are propagated from both seed and seedlings that sprout around the parent plant (they are great for digging up the next year and giving to friends/neighbors).

The hibiscus makes a great "showy" type plant . . . I can only speak to our USDA zone, 7B, (almost 8A here in Memphis) that ours do come back each year. We also have a few in pots that have grown over 8' tall . . . we simply cut back (right now, in fact) so that the remaining woody tips can "harden off" before cold . . . the potted plants we maintain in the garage for the coldest winter months (December through February). Ours come back beautifully each year, with one being a variegated specie (both leaves and flowers).

Depending on where YOU are, and the actual specie / cultivar, any one plant may or may not survive a harsh winter. If you're in the milder climes, you should have no problem.

Bottom line: There are both annual and perennial hibiscus . . . be choosy and ask questions when purchasing . . . also, consider purchasing at a local nursery to be exposed to more "local" varieties that thrive in your area.

Oh yes, one last thing, here is the kingdom/phyla, etc. breakdown from Wikipedia for thoroughness:

Kingdom: Plantae
Division: Magnoliophyta
Class: Magnoliopsida
Order: Malvales
Family: Malvaceae
Genus: Hibiscus

Answer 3

I have hisbiscus plants in Northern Michigan. They are perennials and mine come back every year despite severe cold. The key is heavy mulching. Before freeezing temperatures hit, pile mulch about 5 to 6 inches deep around the base of the plant but do not allow the mulch to touch the actual stems. Back the mulch off about an inch but then pile it deep. Good luck.

Answer 4

Hibiscus is a tropical type plant, if its a HARDY hibiscus it can winter over in some colder zones, other wise it needs to be a house plant.

Answer 5

hibiscus grow to be five or six feet tall. have large leaves and six to eight inch round blooms that are red , pink or blue depending on species and soil minerals.
It is a hardy perennial in moderate to southern climate zones.

Ken

Answer 6

Make sure you take it in the house when it gets cold. It'll never survive a winter.

Answer 7

Some good info at: http://www.trop-hibiscus.com/index.html