How to Grow and Care for Texas Star Hibiscus for a Pop of Spring Color

Texas Star hibiscus is a striking, easy-to-grow perennial across many hardiness zones. A native plant to the Southeastern United States, you can find it growing in swampy, coastal areas from Georgia to Florida.

Learn how to add and care for this exotic beauty in your garden.

Common Name	Texas Star Hibiscus, Scarlett Rose Mallow, Red Hibiscus
Botanical Name	Hibiscus coccineus
Family	Malvaceae
Plant Type	Perennial
Mature Size	6-8 feet tall; 2-3 feet wide
Sun Exposure	Full sun, partial shade
Soil Type	Silt, loam, sand
Soil pH	Slightly acidic to neutral (between 6.0 and 7.0)
Bloom Time	Summer to early fall
Flower Color	Red
Hardiness Zones	5b - 9b
Native Area	Georgia and Florida

Texas Star Hibiscus Care

Texas Star hibiscus blooms in late summer to early fall with large, up to six-inch-wide flowers that last one day. While there is a profusion of blooms during the season, the deep green foliage and buds add to the striking effect. To have a healthy plant that produces dozens of dramatic scarlet blooms year after year, follow these guidelines for Texas Star hibiscus:

• Plant in an area that receives at least 6 hours of sun daily.
• While the soil should be well-draining, Texas Star hibiscus requires consistently moist soil to thrive.
• As a quick-growing plant, it requires monthly fertilization during the growing season.
• Texas Star hibiscus can be pruned to control its size, but flowers will only appear on new growth.

Light

Texas Star is at its best when grown in full sun. If the area receives partial shade, there will be fewer blooms and a leggy plant.

Soil

Native to low-lying, swampy areas of the Southeast, Texas Star hibiscus grows well in sand, silt, or loam. While it can tolerate wet feet, it performs best in well-draining, slightly acidic soil.

Water

Consistently moist soil is a must for Texas Star and overwatering is not an issue if the soil drains well. During hot, dry periods, supplemental irrigation is needed. Add several layers of organic mulch around the plant to help preserve soil moisture.

Temperature and Humidity

Texas Star enjoys the high temperatures and humidity of the deep South. Cold temperatures can cause damage or dieback, so once temperatures fall to near or below freezing, protect the plant with layers of mulch or burlap. Even if dieback occurs, the plant may produce new growth in the spring.

Fertilizer

Because Texas Star is a vigorous grower, apply a balanced NPK liquid fertilizer once a month during the spring and summer.

Pruning

Texas Star does not require pruning unless you want to control the height and shape of the plant. Since blooms appear on new growth, pruning can reduce the number of blooms. Deadheading the spent flowers is not necessary, but not harmful, either.

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Propagating Texas Star Hibiscus

The best time to propagate Texas Star hibiscus isin the spring once new growth has appeared. Old wood will not root well.

1. Cut a 5- to 6-inch cutting from the end of a stem using clean, sharp pruners.
2. Dip the cut end of the stem into rooting hormone.
3. Fill a 6-inch container with potting soil and water it well.
4. Press the cutting about 3 inches deep into a container.
5. Place the container in an area with bright but indirect sunlight.
6. Keep the soil moist until the cuttings have rooted. Covering the container with a plastic bag will help preserve moisture.
7. Transplant the hibiscus into a larger container or the garden when several sets of leaves have developed.

How to Grow Texas Star Hibiscus From Seed

With so many blooms producing seed pods, Texas Star often self-seeds in the garden, but you can collect the seeds to start indoors.

In the fall, allow pods to dry and turn brown. Collect them and pop open the pods to remove the seeds. Save the seeds until spring and sow them indoors in seed starter trays about 6 weeks before the last predicted frost. Keep the soil warm and moist in an area with bright, indirect light. The seeds will germinate in about 10-12 days.

When the danger of frost has passed, transplant the seedlings to individual pots and harden them off before transplanting into the garden.

Potting and Repotting

If growing Texas Star in a container, select one that is large enough to support the height and quick growth of this perennial. Add a supporting trellis if the container is placed in a breezy area.

Place the container in a sunny area and keep the soil evenly moist. Water twice a day on days with high temperatures. Apply a water-soluble balanced fertilizer once a month. Repot to a larger container when the plant becomes root-bound.

Overwintering

When cold temperatures arrive, the plant will naturally die back. You can remove the foliage, leaving stems about 4 to 6 inches above the soil line.

Container-grown Texas Star plants should be clipped back and moved to a protected area during the winter but watered regularly to keep the soil moist. If planted in the garden, add a thick layer of mulch to protect the roots from cold temperatures, or add a burlap cover.

How to Get Texas Star Hibiscus to Bloom

If your Texas Star is planted in full sun, gets regular fertilizer feedings during the growing season, and has plenty of water, it should produce a profusion of blooms.

Bloom Months

In the southern U.S., blooms can appear in May and last through October. In cooler growing areas, the blooms typically appear during June or July and into the fall.

How Long Does Texas Star Hibiscus Bloom?

Each Texas Star hibiscus bloom only lasts one day. However, the plant will produce flowers for 4 to 6 months.

What Do Texas Star Hibiscus Flowers Look and Smell Like?

Texas Star hibiscus flowers are large, up to 6 inches across. They are bright red to burgundy with four to five petals and a showy center stamen. The flowers do not have a detectible scent to humans, but are attractive to hummingbirds, butterflies, and other pollinators.

How to Encourage More Blooms

If your Texas Star is not blooming, it is not getting enough water and sunlight. Enhance the nutrients in the soil with monthly feedings with a balanced fertilizer.

Deadheading Texas Star Hibiscus Flowers

If you find the spent flowers unattractive, you can deadhead the blooms but it is not necessary. Deadheading will also reduce the number of seed pods if you don't want the plants to self-sow in the garden.

Caring for Texas Star Hibiscus After It Blooms

At the end of the growing season, the plant will naturally die back. You can cut the stems within 4 to 6 inches of the soil. New growth will appear in the spring.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Insects like grasshoppers, aphids, Hibiscus whiteflies, mealybugs, thrips, and scale might attack your Texas Star. Most pests can be controlled with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil sprays. If the infestation is mild, blast away the pests with a stream of water.

The plants are susceptible to blight, rust, canker, and leaf spot. If these fungal diseases become an issue, apply neem oil and remove and discard the affected branches.

Common Problems

As a native perennial, this plant is resistant to most problems. It can tolerate overly wet roots and salt spray but it is not deer-resistant. If you notice yellow leaves, you may be over- or under-watering or the plant is not getting enough sunlight. Adjust your care or transplant Texas Star to a new location.

From: thespruce