Hibiscus tilliaceus or maritime hibiscus

Image – Wikimedia Commons Avisai Teacher

The maritime hibiscus It is a very interesting plant for those looking for a shrub or tree that produces beautiful flowers and is also very easy to care for and maintain. It is not well known yet, so if you want to enjoy an original plant do not hesitate: get a copy and follow our advice.

So sure you can take care of it as it deservesgetting to be able to contemplate its beautiful petals year after year.

Origin and characteristics

Our protagonist is an evergreen tree native to Australia and Southeast Asia. To this day, he has naturalized in Florida, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands. Its scientific name is Hibiscus tiliaceus y reaches a height of 4 to 10 meterswhich should not worry us excessively since it can be pruned to control its growth and development.

Its leaves are large, whole, and dark green. The flowers are bell-shaped and yellow with a dark red center when open. As a curiosity, it must be said that as the day passes they turn orange and finally red before closing and falling.

What are their cares?

Do you want to have a copy? If so, we recommend that you provide the following care:

  • Location: outdoors, in full sun or in semi-shade.
  • Earth:
    • Garden: not demanding. It grows in sandy, limestone and slightly acid soils.
    • Pot: it is advisable to plant it in a universal culture substrate mixed with equal parts perlite.
  • Irrigation: water 3-4 times a week in summer and a little less the rest of the year.
  • Subscriber: from spring to the end of summer it must be paid with organic fertilizers such as guano.
  • Pruning: it can be pruned at the end of winter, removing dry, diseased or weak branches and those that have grown too much.
  • Planting or transplanting time: in spring, when temperatures rise above 15 degrees Celsius. If it is in a pot, you have to transplant it every two years.
  • Rusticity: supports up to 0º, but it is preferable that it does not drop below 12ºC. It can be grown indoors.
View of the maritime hibiscus

Image – Wikimedia Commons / Forest & Kim Starr

What did you think of the maritime hibiscus?