How To Grow Braided Hibiscus
Hibiscus plants are beloved for their large, showy flowers and fragrance.
They’re often used in teas and potpourri and are a garden staple.
But, you might not have known that the Hibiscus rosa-sinensis (hi-BIS-kus RO-sa-sy-NEN-sis), has a much more ornamental and satisfying use.
Known as Chinese hibiscus or Chinese rose, this plant has been used traditionally in a wide range of products and applications.
One of these is an art form like shumu penjing. This Chinese predecessor to Japanese bonsai is not restricted to shallow pots.
This practice involves creating and growing a braided hibiscus plant to dwarf proportions.
Braided Hibiscus Care: How To Grow A Braided Hibiscus Tree
Growing a braided hibiscus tree is similar to its full-sized counterpart in many ways.
But, the tree has a lower cold tolerance and needs regular pruning to keep its shape.
Creating A Braided Hibiscus
Creating a braided hibiscus requires at least three Chinese hibiscus plants.
Each must be 24” inches tall, pencil-thin at the trunk, and have an established root system.
Plant the trees close together in a 10” inch pot.
Next, gently braid the trunks together until you reach the foliage and loosely tie the stems together.
You don’t want to tie it too tight, as the trunks need room to grow and expand.
Finish off by trimming away any scraggly limbs until you have a rounded canopy.
Potting The Tree
As mentioned, you will need a container that’s approximately 10” inches across for the initial planting.
Fill this with a well-draining tropical potting mix with a slightly acidic pH level between 6.5 and 6.8.
These plants tend to be very hungry. You’ll want to amend the soil with worm castings or a dose of hibiscus fertilizer before planting.
Also, add a layer of coarse gravel to the bottom of the pot to aid in drainage. These plants don’t like to sit in water.
You will need to repot your braided hibiscus every 3 years, graduating to one container size larger.
Be sure to replace the soil during this time, so the plant has more nutrients and isn’t sitting in a buildup of toxins.
The winters are too cold in most of the US for this plant. But it’s possible to grow them in a garden in USDA hardiness zone 12 and parts of zone 11b.
Light
Your braided hibiscus will need a lot of light to thrive.
Find a nice south-facing winder where the plant can get 6 to 8 hours of full sun during the day.
During the warmer months, you may also choose to take the plant outdoors, where it can receive more prolonged periods of full sun.
Temperature
Braided hibiscus trees are cold-intolerant and will die if exposed to cold weather for too long.
When growing one outdoors, you will need to bring it inside if the temperature dips below 50° degrees Fahrenheit.
Some growers have reported the plant will survive as low as 45° degrees Fahrenheit. But only risk this with a full-grown specimen.
Indoors, the plant will thrive in average household temperatures. But you don’t want to let the room temperature dip below 55° degrees Fahrenheit.
Watering
Water the plant using the soak-and-dry method when the soil feels dry approximately 2” inches down.
The plant is somewhat drought tolerant and will grow better when not watered too often.
The plant will drink less during the fall and winter months.
Note that it’s usually a good idea to fertilize your braided hibiscus between waterings to reduce the risk of chemical burns.
Fertilizer
As mentioned, braided hibiscus trees tend to be very hungry.
Give them a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer, preferably 16-16-16. Although 20-20-20 and 10-10-10 are also okay, these can be a little trickier to work with.
A good ratio is 1 teaspoon per gallon of water, given weekly during the spring.
Worm castings are also a great source of nutrients and create fuller blooms.
Pruning
Part of the pleasure in owning a braided hibiscus is enjoying its shape.
You will need to trim away any scraggly branches in the spring and fall to keep the canopy in a uniform, rounded shape.
It will take a few years for the canopy to fill in but will leave you with a dense, round canopy from which the blooms will practically fall out.
Pests And Disease
Finally, your braided hibiscus is prone to a few pest and disease issues, especially if you keep it outdoors.
Potential problems leading to bud drop and similar issues:
- aphids,
- mealybugs,
- spider mites,
- thrips,
- whiteflies
Side effects of an infestation or overwatering of braided hibiscus include:
- downy mildew,
- gray mold,
- powdery mildew,
- root rot
Neem soil can help end and prevent these problems when applied every 2 to 3 weeks in place of watering. Or you may also choose to use fungicides or pesticides to treat the plant as needed.
