Tropical Hibiscus plant profile
Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
A perennial shrub for full sun.
Last updated .
When to plant
When to plant Tropical Hibiscus
Set this tropical shrub out after all danger of frost has passed in spring, once nights are warm. It is intolerant of frost, so in zones colder than 9a grow it in a container and move it indoors to bright light before the first fall frost.
The calendar shows this cited seasonal window as an approximate band. It does not convert the season into frost-adjusted dates.
Open Tropical Hibiscus in my garden calendarShows the source-backed planting season, not frost-adjusted dates.
Growing conditions
- Sun
- Full sun
- Lifecycle
- Perennial
- Spacing
- 60 to 96 in apart
- Hardiness
- Zones 9a to 11bFind my hardiness zone
Common problems
Watch for these
Also watch for: frost tender, bud drop from environmental change, scale insects.
Next steps
Continue with Tropical Hibiscus
Evidence trail
Evidence behind this profile
Original extension and institutional publications behind the planting, care, and safety facts on this page.
- Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (Chinese Hibiscus, Hibiscus)
North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox (NC State Extension). Supports general reference. Checked 2026-06-18.