Japanese hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus)

Japanese hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus) is a conservatory or greenhouse grown type of plant that can grow 3m – 8m tall and 50cm – 1.5m wide. In this growing guide we’ll learn the cultivation details and how to plant Japanese hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus).

This plant has several common names including: Japanese hibiscus or Japanese lantern.

This is a deciduous plant that takes 5-10 years to reach full maturity.

Plant profile

Common name: Japanese hibiscus, Japanese lantern
Scientific name: Hibiscus schizopetalus
Plant type: Conservatory & Greenhouse, Houseplants, Shrubs
Habit: Bushy
Height: 3m – 8m
Spread: 50cm – 1.5m
Foliage: Deciduous
Sunlight: Full Sun
Soil: Loam
Moisture: Moist but well drained, Well drained
Garden type: Sub-tropical
Other characteristics: RHS Award of Garden Merit

Seasonal colors

How to plant Japanese hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus) – Photo by David J. Stang, CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons

How to plant

In this section we will learn how to plant Japanese hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus), know its needs in terms of soil, watering and sun exposure.

Soil

Japanese hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus) is a plant that grows in loam conditions. As for pH, it is a plant that grows ideally in soils with pH alkaline or neutral.

Regarding drainage, Hibiscus schizopetalus likes to grow in moist but well drained or well drained soils.

Sunlight

Japanese hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus) should be grown in full sun places.

Cultivation profiles – Growing Japanese hibiscus (Hibiscus schizopetalus) – Dinesh Valke from Thane, India, CC BY-SA 2.0, via Wikimedia Commons