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Hibiscus plants: tropical and hardy. Tropical Hibiscus, thriving in zones 9–11, boast year-round blooms in vibrant colors but require protection from frost. On the other hand, Hardy Hibiscus, suited for zones 5–8, endure winters through dormancy.
Hibiscus are popular plants valued for their showy flowers, but not all hibiscus are the same. The two main types commonly grown in gardens are tropical hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) and hardy hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.). While both produce abundant, colorful blooms, they differ in how they handle climate, growth habits, and care needs.
TROPICAL HIBISCUS (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis)
Tropical hibiscus grows best in USDA Zones 9–11, where it can bloom nearly year-round in warm, frost-free conditions. These evergreen shrubs are grown for their glossy green leaves and continuous display of flowers. Blossoms may be single or double and appear in shades of red, pink, orange, peach, yellow, or white, with many hybrids showing multicolored patterns.
Individual flowers typically last only a day or two, but new buds open almost continuously through the season, keeping the plant colorful. Outside of tropical and subtropical regions, tropical hibiscus must be brought indoors or given frost protection to survive the winter.
Learn more about: Tropical Hibiscus
HARDY HIBISCUS (Hibiscus spp.)
Hardy hibiscus is adapted to colder climates, thriving in USDA Zones 5–8. Unlike tropical types, hardy hibiscus naturally die back to the ground each winter. In late spring (when it starts getting hot), new shoots emerge, and the plants quickly grow into large, bushy forms that can reach 3 to 6 feet tall, depending on variety.
One of their standout features is flower size: blooms are often larger than dinner plates and appear in summer in shades of pink, red, white, or purple. The foliage varies from medium green to reddish and is typically heart- or hand-shaped, creating a lush backdrop for the flowers.
Hardy hibiscus requires a period of winter dormancy and therefore will not thrive long-term in truly tropical regions. In those areas, plants may survive only a season before declining.
Learn more about: Hardy Hibiscus
What is My Cold Hardiness zone?
Find your cold hardiness zone by entering your local zip code into an internet search with the words: "cold hardiness zone". For instance I live in Miami and my zip code is 33158 so I would set up an internet search with the following: 33158 cold hardiness zone.