First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus for Sale - Buying & Growing Guide

Planting and Care

by John Haryasz | Horticulture Writer and Landscape Designer – last update on December 5,, 2022

Planting instructions

Anyone who grows a First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus in a region further north than zone nine will need to grow their plant in a container to allow for overwintering anytime the outdoor temperatures drop to 30 degrees Fahrenheit or lower. Those who live in warmer areas can plant their First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus in a hole that is as deep as the root ball is tall and about twice as wide. In either case, the growing location you choose should have well-draining soils and receive at least four hours of daily light.

Watering and nutrients

A newly planted First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus should receive water often enough to keep the soil consistently moist for the first few months of active growth. For the rest of this plant’s life, you can water it whenever you notice that the first two to three inches of soil have become dry. You should feed your First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus with a balanced fertilizer, or one that promotes blooms specifically, at least once per year. In many cases, providing up to three more feedings throughout the growing season can encourage better flowering too.

Pollination

The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus is a self-fertile cultivar, which means that it is capable of pollinating itself. The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus also carries a set of large, showy flowers throughout much of the growing season. The nectar in those flowers can attract interesting pollinators, including hummingbirds, when this plant grows outdoors. However, since the fruits of this plant are neither edible nor ornamentally appealing, pollination should be of little concern as you care for your First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus.

Pruning

Pruning for a First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus should take place early in the growing season before the new growth appears. Your primary pruning goal should be to remove any branch from this plant that is dead, broken or has shown signs of disease. After that, you can perform some light shaping if you wish. When pruning, be sure that you use a set of tools that are as sharp and sterile as they can be to limit the spread of disease.

Pests, diseases, and animals

As is true of related hibiscus plants, the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus often has issues with whiteflies. Along with whiteflies, aphids, thrips and scale insects may also infest this plant. The First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus can also run into some issues regarding diseases. Leaf spot, wilt and dieback can all take place. However, if you are able to find a suitable growing location for this plant and keep up with a regular care routine, your plant has a good chance of remaining healthy.

Achieving maximum results

The large green leaves and showy flower of the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus make this plant an ideal addition to any garden that has a tropical theme. However, since it is often best to grow this plant in a container, you must be mindful of its growth. While the First Lady™ Hollywood Hibiscus is not the fastest-growing plant in the world, it does grow at a moderate rate. That means that every few seasons, you may need to consider transplanting this plant to a larger container to accommodate its expanding roots.

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