Variety traits

Winter hardiness of Hibiscus rosa-sinensis

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis L.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis is a tropical evergreen shrub that lacks cold hardening mechanisms and dies at temperatures below 0°C. In agronomy, the crop is classified as frost-sensitive and requires greenhouse or indoor cultivation.

In the reference 5 varieties crop Chinese hibiscus, where this is mentioned in the description.

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis lacks the physiological capacity to adapt to sub-zero temperatures; therefore, its winter hardiness in an agronomic sense is non-existent. Plant tissue necrosis in this species occurs when exposed to temperatures in the range of 0°C to -4°C, with -2°C often considered the critical threshold.

Due to the absence of cold-hardening potential, frost-resistance indices typical for temperate climate plants are not applied to this crop. The plant belongs to USDA hardiness zones 10–11, and when temperatures drop below +12°C, it experiences significant physiological stress, making outdoor cultivation in temperate latitudes impossible.

General information about the subject — on the page Winter hardiness.

Sources8

Varieties of Chinese hibiscus mentioned in the description

Selection based on the description text, not on official evaluation: these data are absent from registers. For specific variety details, please refer to its profile.