Hibiscus syriacus aka Rose Of Sharon

Taxonomy

Hibiscus syriacus, also known as the rose of Sharon or Syrian ketmia, is a species of flowering plant in the mallow family. Native to south-central and southeast China, it has been widely introduced in various parts of Asia. The plant received its name "syriacus" due to its collection from Syrian gardens. This upright shrub can reach a height of up to 1.8m and features deciduous, green leaves with three lobes. Its semi-double flowers, which bloom from late summer to mid-autumn, are pale pink with dark pink veins and can reach up to 10cm across. The rose of Sharon is highly valued for its abundant blooms and attractive flowers, featuring striking stamens. It stands out for its late blooming period, offering white, red, lavender, or light blue flowers when many other shrubs have finished blooming. This makes it a valuable addition to any landscape, allowing gardeners to manage the sequence of bloom. Additionally, this shrub is easy to grow, making it suitable for novice gardeners. It is tolerant of various conditions, including poor soil, heat, humidity, drought, and air pollution. With flower colors ranging from white to bicolors, and single or double forms, the rose of Sharon adds beauty and versatility to gardens. It is no wonder that it is the national flower of South Korea and is mentioned in their national anthem.

Common names

Rose Of Sharon, Syrian Hibiscus, Common Hibiscus

How to care for Rose Of Sharon

Difficulty

Rose Of Sharon requires a bit more attention and knowledge to thrive, making it a suitable plant for those with some gardening experience.

Water

Rose Of Sharon should be watered regularly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings.

Soil

Rose Of Sharon loves a well-draining soil. Perlite and vermiculite help with drainage, while coco coir adds organic matter, so a good potting soil mix will have all three. You can improve store-bought soil by adding some perlite to it.

Lighting

To ensure optimal growth, the Rose Of Sharon prefers bright diffused light for 6-8 hours each day. Insufficient light can result in slow growth and leaf drop, so it's important to find a well-lit location for this plant. Place it near a window, within a distance of 1 meter (3 feet), to enhance its potential for thriving.
Cat approves this plant

Toxicity

Rose Of Sharon is not known to cause harm to humans or pets.

Humidity

The Rose Of Sharon is not in need of supplementary humidity. Most water is taken in by plants through their roots, thus soil watering is the most efficient way to provide humidity to your plants.

Fertilizer

The Rose Of Sharon should be repotted either when it doubles in size or annually, whichever comes first. Providing new potting soil with all the vital nutrients annually is enough to support the growth of the plant, and thus, there is no need for fertilizer. Remember that plants derive their energy from the sun, not fertilizer.

Region of origin

Rose Of Sharon’s native range is Worldwide.

More info:
Wikipedia