Depending on climate and variety, hibiscus may grow as perennials or annual shrubs, or evergreen or deciduous trees. Smaller varieties may grow only a few feet tall, but larger trees may reach heights of 15 feet. All feature beautiful, dramatic flowers; plants bloom when temperatures are warm.
In temperate climates, this usually means June through fall. Often, blossoms last for just one day. Flowers bloom in a virtual rainbow of colors, from red to purple to bicolor and everything in between except green. Depending on variety, flower size may reach up to 12 inches across. Flowers are funnel-, trumpet- or dinner-plate shaped, with at least five petals and an erect center stalk. Hibiscus foliage also varies depending on species.
Colors may be gray-green or have a red tinge, and be heart-shaped or more like a lobed maple leaf. Most ornamental hibiscus falls into one of two types: Tropical or hardy. The tropical hibiscus H.
These may include the rose of Sharon H. Pollinators love hibiscus flowers. Hibiscus are found in many regions around the world. Though exact origins are unclear, many believe H.
Several types of hardy hibiscus are native to North America , including the southeastern United States. Many of the ornamental hibiscus found in landscaping and garden centers today stem from cultivars and hybrids of H. Some posit that an ancient botanist named Pedanius Dioscorides originated the term. Several cultures use the hibiscus flower as an edible delicacy. In many parts of the world, blooms from the hibiscus commonly known as roselle H. In West Africa, the red, tart drink is known as bissap.
Cambodians steep flowers in hot water, add sugar and lime juice and serve the beverage over ice. In Mexico, dried flowers are considered an edible delicacy. In the Philippines, hibiscus is used to make vegetable dishes taste tart.
Hibiscus flowers and foliage also have a number of medicinal uses. Several cultures use leaves, calyces, and petals to make a medicinal mixture known as sour tea. Some say the flavor of sour tea is similar to that of cranberry juice. Egyptian traditional medicine uses sour tea to treat cardiovascular and nerve disorders, as a diuretic, and to reduce body temperature. In some parts of Africa, sour tea is used as a cure for the common cold and to treat cancer, liver disease, and constipation.
Pulped leaves are also used to speed wound healing. In some cultures, hibiscus is used as part of a treatment for head lice. In Iran, sour tea has long been used to lower blood pressure.
Modern scientific studies back up the practice; research indicates that sour tea and hibiscus extract have the potential to treat high blood pressure and cardiovascular diseases.
Studies also indicate that hibiscus contains anthocyanins , which may fight cancer. Other research suggests that hibiscus may be used as a weight-loss aid. Studies indicate that the plant affects metabolism, helping to reduce fat build-up in the liver, help prevent weight gain, and lower cholesterol levels.
After all, purple is a special color in that is combines the coolness of blue with the warmth of red. So, a purple hibiscus flower symbolizes welcoming and respect for others, even if they come from a different background or faith than your own. Purple is also the color of seventh chakra, which is Sahasrara in Sanskrit. Sahasrara governs your super-conscious.
Thus, a purple hibiscus flower symbolizes a connection to the divine. Along with the rose and poppy , the hibiscus is a quintessential red flower. The color red symbolizes primal energy, passion, and romantic love. And in some cultures, such as China, red symbolizes good luck and prosperity. The color red is also the color of the first or root chakra , which is muladhara in Sanskrit.
Muladhara governs your personal foundation, including your security and primal survival drivers. Red hibiscus flowers are the perfect gift for a romantic partner. In addition, they bring positive vibes to your home or garden to create more security, stability, and joy in your life. Like the red hibiscus, blossoms that come in hot pink or fuchsia symbolize romantic love.
They also represent female power and the ability to attract what you want. Light pink hibiscus flower meaning is associated with platonic love, such as that for friends and family members.
A pink hibiscus plant is a sweet gift for female friends as well as grandmothers, aunts, sisters, daughters, and nieces. The color orange symbolizes healing and vitality. Orange is associated with the second, or sacral, chakra, which is called Svadhisthana in Sanskrit. Svadhisthana rules your health and your gut instincts. So, an orange hibiscus makes a lovely gift for a friend, family member or even yourself who is embarking on a new health regimen.
Yellow hibiscus meaning includes joy, friendship, welcoming, and good luck. Like the pineapple, the yellow hibiscus symbolizes hospitality and ensuring your guests have a good time when visiting your home. White hibiscus flower meaning includes innocence, purity, and gentleness.
Like a white butterfly , a white hibiscus flower also symbolizes angels and messages from loved ones who have passed. A popular symbol on Hawaiian shirts and fabrics, like bark cloth, the hibiscus flower also makes the perfect design for a tattoo. A hibiscus flower tattoo tells the world you love tropical places and that you appreciate natural beauty. It can also demonstrate that you have a sincere and welcoming heart. A hibiscus can be paired with other tropical motifs, such as sea turtles , tropical fish, palm trees, and surfboards to make a showstopper of a tattoo.
As tropical plants, hibiscus flowers thrive in warm, humid climates. However, you can grow hibiscus plants in containers that you bring inside during cold weather, and there are some varieties that will tolerate colder temperatures. Hibiscus plants come in both perennial and annual varieties, so you can select the right species for your garden or home needs.
Naturally, these tropical plants love full sun. Six hours of full sun is great, eight hours is even better. However, some species will tolerate below-freezing temperatures. Here are the zones in which a few different varieties can be grown:. There are over species of hibiscus plants.
So, visiting your local nursery is an easy way to get recommendations for your geographical area. Hibiscus plants can be planted in the ground or in containers. Container planting has the added benefit of being mobile, so you can move the plants to get more sun or bring them inside in cold weather.
Just be sure you have adequate drainage in the container. Likewise, when planting hibiscus outside, raised beds in a sunny spot are best as they allow more drainage. Your hibiscus plants will prefer sandy, loam soils the best. I always recommend high-quality organic potting soil to give your plants the best odds of thriving. Then about twice a week after that, depending on your climate. Be sure to ask your local plant nursery for guidelines for your area. Hibiscus plants attract a number of pests who can harm the plant, including aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, mealy bugs, and others.
In general, I always recommend looking for natural, non-toxic ways to remove pests. Sometimes that involves wiping them away with a wet cloth or getting some ladybugs to do the job.
There are supposedly safe insecticidal soaps, but they can also harm beneficial insects and their larvae. So, I try to avoid those too. Pruning your hibiscus plants will give them the best odds for new, healthy growth. This eye-catching flower is very popular and grown around the world, with many beautiful colors and shapes. So, if you ever wanted to learn more about the Hibiscus flower and its symbolism, here is an opportunity to do that. Flowers have many symbolic meanings and almost all of them are based on stories and myths created by ancient cultures a long time ago.
Some of the flower symbolism and meaning was also created by the modern society, but there are many stories that are not based on anything you ever heard of. Meaning of a flower can be really helpful when you are choosing the right flower to gift to someone you love or like. It is important to adapt the meaning of a flower in order to send the right message to the specific person. There are several meanings to the Hibiscus flower and they are:. The name Hibiscus is certainly interesting and we can already guess it comes from a word that is ancient.
The symbolism of the hibiscus flower is very rich and interesting. It was created by cultures that lived nearby and enjoyed the beauty of these flowers daily. The Hibiscus flower was a symbol of glory for the ancient Victorians and this beautiful flower could only have been given to the ones who were worthy of that beauty. Besides being the symbol of glory, the Hibiscus flower was also a symbol of a perfect wife or romantic partner. The North Americans were the ones who gifted the Hibiscus flowers to the women who were worthy enough of their beauty and uniqueness.
This gorgeous flower is a common gift for both men and women. Hibiscus is a perennial plant originating from the Far East, which is grown throughout the world as an indoor plant, and in many parts of the tropical, subtropical and Mediterranean climates and in gardens. The flowers are red, pink, orange, yellow and white, and in unusual combinations and shades of these colors.
It is often called mint or Chinese rose, and has distinctive meanings in various cultures. It is believed that the hibiscus brought Europe biologists from Asia in In the Victorian era in Europe, the hibiscus was a decorative detail on jewelry and clothing.
At that time, the hibiscus symbolizes sophisticated beauty, which was probably related to the sunny and delicate conditions under which this plant flourishes. Today sophisticated beauty is often the meaning of a hibiscus when its flower is used in arrangements or gifts. Hibiscus is common on Pacific Islands, and the yellow flower of the hibiscus is on the state flag of Hawaii.
The hibiscus flower is given to state officials and tourists like a necklace or a wreath, and is a welcome sign. Girls wear a red hibiscus flower behind the ear. If the flower behind the left ear means that the girl is free and behind the right it is not. A girl with a flower behind both ears wants to convey a message to have a lover, but to look for another. The hibiscus flower is also often found to be a tribal dad and means power and respect.
In Japanese, the name of the hibiscus means gentle. The hibiscus flower is given as a welcome to the visitor and represents a social custom in Japan. For the Chinese, the hibiscus or Chinese rose has different meanings. Some associate him with wealth and fame, and some of his gentle flower connects with a young girl. Color of the flower can have a significant meaning and add a lot to the symbolism.
Sometimes the color gives the flower a completely different meaning than the original symbolism it already have. Some flowers have many different colors while others are not so versatile.
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