How to Grow Cranberry Hibiscus for Bold, Beautiful Fall Color

When to Plant

Cranberry hibiscus plants are sensitive to frost, so they should only be planted outdoors in frost-free weather. In most areas, spring is the best time for planting hibiscus, although cranberry hibiscus can also be planted in summer (as long as the plants are watered often).

To plant cranberry hibiscus:

• Dig a hole slightly larger than your hibiscus root ball and amend the soil with compost.
• Situate the plant in the hole at the same level that it was growing in its nursery pot, backfill the hole, firm the soil around the plant’s base, and apply a 2 to 3-inch layer of mulch.
• Water your plant well to help it acclimate, and begin fertilizing about two to three weeks after planting.

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Cranberry Hibiscus Care Tips

If you love lots of garden color, cranberry hibiscus plants are hard to beat. These multi-stemmed shrubs can be used as backdrop plants to highlight the colors and shapes of other heat-loving ornamentals, like acanthus, caladium, and pineapple sage, but they can also be planted on their own.

Cranberry hibiscus can also thrive in a roomy planter, which is a great option if you want to use these plants to highlight garden walkways or draw attention to a sunny front porch.

• Cranberry hibiscus flowers are best in full-sun locations.
• Most soil types are suitable for hibiscus, as long as the soil is well-draining and the plants are watered often.
• Pruning cranberry hibiscus to a leaf node can correct leggy stems and make plants bushier.
• Growers in cold climates can grow these plants as annuals, overwinter them in greenhouses, or propagate new plants from stem cuttings and grow the cuttings as houseplants through winter.

Light

Although cranberry hibiscus can be grown in partial shade, full sun is recommended if you want your plants to have the best color and to bloom well. Low-light gardens can cause cranberry hibiscus stems to become leggy and may make their deep burgundy leaves shift into dull shades of brown.

That said, growers in hot climates may want to shelter their hibiscus plants with shade cloth during extreme heat to avoid issues with sunscald.

Soil

Most soil types are appropriate for hibiscus plants, although rich and well-draining soils are ideal. To give your plants an advantage, mix some compost or rotted manure into your planting holes before planting hibiscus.

Water

Like other hibiscus plants, cranberry hibiscus loves water. Water regularly with at least 1 inch of water per week. However, container plants may need water twice a day in hot weather.

Fertilizer

To keep cranberry hibiscus plants in bloom, fertilize your hibiscus every 4 to 6 weeks from spring through early August. Liquid organic fertilizers are usually the best choice for these plants.

Pruning

Cranberry hibiscus grows quickly and produces long stems that can become leggy and unwieldy if plants aren’t pruned regularly.

To encourage your plants to develop a sturdier and bushier growth habit, clip wayward stems back to a leaf node, reshaping as you go, and consider installing stakes or supports if your plants seem to need them.

Commons Problems

These plants are generally pest and disease-resistant. However, even these hardy hibiscus plants can sometimes develop issues:

• Broken stems can occur when hibiscus plants are grown in windy areas. Planting hibiscus in a protected spot and installing plant supports can help you avoid this issue. However, if your
  hibiscus stems break, make a clean cut at a leaf node and throw the broken stem in your compost pile.
• Root rot develops when hibiscus plants are grown in overly saturated soil. Planting hibiscus in well-draining gardens can prevent this issue, as long as you don’t overwater!
• Pests, like mealybugs, Japanese beetles, and thrips can sometimes plague hibiscus plants. Handpicking works well for larger insects, while organic soap sprays can tackle most smaller pests with ease.

How to Propagate Cranberry Hibiscus

Cranberry hibiscus plants can be propagated either from seeds or stem cuttings, although propagation via stem cuttings is easier and much faster.

1. Cut 12-inch long stem cuttings from healthy hibiscus plants using sharp, sterilized pruners.
2. Remove the lower leaves and dip the cut stem end in rooting compound.
3. Plant the cut stem end a few inches deep in a pot filled with damp potting mix. Cover the pot and cutting with a clear plastic bag to boost humidity and then place the pot on a heating mat to help roots develop faster.
4. Move the pot under a grow light or into a window that receives bright, indirect light and water regularly until the plant roots.
5. Rooted cuttings can be kept indoors as houseplants through winter, but plants can also be transitioned directly out into the garden after a period of hardening off.

Types to Grow

Careful plant breeding has produced a number of colorful and attractive cranberry hibiscus cultivars for container-growing or larger gardens. While you can find other types of cranberry hibiscus on the market, these varieties are always popular!

• ‘Panama Red’: Although ‘Panama Red’ is an infrequent bloomer, it still steals the show with its heat tolerance and eye-catching, coppery-red leaves.
• ‘Haight Ashbury’: A top choice for garden borders and containers, ‘Haight Ashbury’ maxes out at around 5 feet tall and produces deep red blooms towards the end of summer.
• ‘Jungle Red’: Growing between 4 and 6 feet tall, ‘Jungle Red’ is a versatile plant that blooms from late summer into winter in mild climates.

Uses

When in bloom, hibiscus flowers are magnets for all sorts of pollinators, including hummingbirds, bees, and butterflies. On top of that, cranberry hibiscus leaves and flowers are edible and they can be used to add color and a tangy taste to hot and cold teas, stir-fries, salads, sauces, and more.

Blooming

The short days and long nights at the end of summer and into fall trigger cranberry hibiscus plants to produce their large, pink, and red flowers. Ensuring that your plants receive enough light and fertilizer can increase the chances of flowering.