If you have a tropical hibiscus, remember it is a TROPICAL. They are native to sunny, warn and most often, humid tropical climates. They will not tolerate more than a night or two of frost or light freezes. Even one hard freeze (below 25º F) can kill these plants.

Tropical hibiscus detest cold rainy weather and cold wet soil. They will not reliably survive outdoors north of zone 9. In all other areas, it may be a good idea to bring them indoors before temperatures drop below 40º-45º F at night to avoid any damage.

Some of these plants are spent after 4 or 5 years in a pot and should be tossed away at this point.

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HVH: "Originally discovered in Cuba, El Capitolio's parentage is unknown. However, it resembles Hibiscus schizopetalus enough to suggest that it is the offspring of h. schizopetalus. El Capitolio in its red form is the original red "poodle flower." At HVH we also grow its two sports, one that blooms with a yellow flower and the other with a soft orange flower. The flower size is 3-4" for these delicate beauties. The El Capitolio varieties, like all the hibiscus ancestor plants, are vigorous, strong, fast-growing, large plants that flower all the time in good conditions. Outside they can reach 8' in a large pot, although they can be trimmed to the size desired if they start to get too big. Like the other ancestors of the modern hibiscus, El Capitolio is well suited for sunny and hot growing conditions."

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