Hibiscus flowers give off a tropical vibe that makes you want to go to the beach or drink a glass of refreshing sangria. It might be because they’re Hawaii’s state flowers and are actually used to make various cocktail drinks.
But did you know that Hawaii is not the only place that has hibiscus as its national flower? Or that you can use hibiscus for more than just making a tasty cocktail and tea?
We’ll discuss all of that and more here. Find out the meanings, cultural significance, and uses that make hibiscus flowers so special in this guide.
How did the hibiscus flower get its name?
The name hibiscus was derived from the Greek word hibikos. This term was used to refer to mallow plants or those that belong to the Malvaceae family, like hibiscus flowers.
It’s believed that Pedanius Dioscorides, a Greek botanist, coined the name after he discovered mallow plants and hibiscus flowers.
What is the botanical origin of the hibiscus flower?
Hibiscus flowers are flowering plants native to Africa and India, though they can now be found growing in various tropical and subtropical countries in the world. They belong to the Malvaceae family, like cotton, hollyhock, and pavonia.
Hibiscus is the largest genus in the Malvaceae family, containing 434 species. Other types that you’re probably familiar with are Chinese hibiscus, rose of Sharon, and blue hibiscus.
Where do hibiscus flowers grow?
Hibiscus flowers can generally grow anywhere warm and tropical. That’s why you’ll mostly find them growing in tropical countries in Africa, America, and Asia.
Hibiscus flowers can also grow in containers as long as they aren’t anywhere cold or freezing and receive sufficient sunlight.
Do hibiscus flowers require a lot of maintenance?
No, hibiscus is pretty low-maintenance and easy to care for. The most you’ll probably do is watering and fertilizing at least four times a week or every two weeks if you use liquid or water-soluble fertilizer.
Do hibiscus flowers need shade or sun?
Hibiscus flowers will thrive if they receive full sun or at least six hours of sunlight daily. These are tropical plants that receive lots of sunlight in their native environment, so you want to replicate that when growing them.
When do hibiscus flowers bloom?
Hibiscus flowers generally bloom in mid to late summer, depending on the environment they’re in. The flowers usually fall off after a day, but the plant will continue producing new ones until fall.
What kind of soil do hibiscus flowers prefer?
Hibiscus flowers prefer well-draining, slightly acidic, fertile soil. You can use most potting mixes, but try to amend them with perlite if you tend to overwater your plants or peat moss if you tend to underwater.
When is the best time to plant hibiscus flowers?
The best time to plant hibiscus flowers is in early spring when they’re actively growing. This gives them an entire growing season to develop and establish their roots.
By spring, the soil has already warmed up from the cold winter months, but it isn’t so hot that it will damage your hibiscus.
What do hibiscus flowers mean?
Hibiscus flowers carry a lot of positive meanings, such as love, beauty, femininity, success, fame, and glory.
The specific meaning of the flower can depend on the context, the color of its petals, and the culture of the gifter and giftee.
What do the colors of hibiscus flowers mean?
What did the hibiscus flower symbolize in various historical periods?
What are the cultural associations of the hibiscus flower?
What are the religious symbolisms of the hibiscus flower?
To those who practice Hinduism, hibiscus flowers, particularly red ones, are the representative flower of Kali, the goddess of life, death, change, and time. Hence, they’re considered sacred flowers among Hindu people.
Whenever Hindu people pray to Kali, they offer red hibiscus as an acknowledgment of her power and a sign of respect.
You can further see the flower’s importance in Hinduism when you look at artworks depicting Kali. The goddess is often portrayed emerging from a large hibiscus flower.
What are the uses of hibiscus flowers?
Hibiscus flowers can be used to make tasty dishes and refreshing drinks, treat various illnesses, and elevate your home’s exterior by adding color to your garden.
How can hibiscus flowers be used in cooking?
Cook dried hibiscus flowers in a pan with a simple syrup to make a hibiscus-flavored syrup. You can incorporate a few drops of this syrup into your cupcake, cake, and bread dough or use it to add glaze over your chicken wings.
You can typically find dried hibiscus flowers in grocery stores since they’re a popular ingredient in various drinks.
If you’re not so keen on using the flowers in your dishes, you can just use them to make some healthy teas or refreshing drinks, like hibiscus-flavored cocktails.
Can hibiscus flowers be used in medicine?
Yes, hibiscus flowers can be used in medicine. It’s believed that the flower can be used to treat fever, diabetes, sore throat, heart disease, and even balding.
The flower is often used as an ingredient in various teas that are believed to have various health benefits. In Iran, hibiscus teas are consumed by many to lower their blood pressure.
It’s worth noting, though, that not all of these claims are backed by extensive scientific research. Consulting with healthcare professionals before depending on hibiscus to treat various illnesses is still the best move.
How can hibiscus flowers be used in gardening?
One of the ways you can use hibiscus flowers in gardening is by planting them on your garden beds and making them the focal point of your garden. Another way is by planting them in decorative pots.
Hibiscus flowers have bright colors, so they can lighten up your garden and become striking features.
However, if you have a pet that wanders around your garden, you might want to avoid planting hibiscus flowers. They’re considered toxic to cats and dogs, so having them around your pets might be dangerous.
