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Hibiscus Leaf Identification

Hibiscus is a flowering plant from the mallow family prized for its cosmetic and medicinal uses in China and India. The plant's distinctive and alluring flowers make it an ideal choice for gardeners in tropical or subtropical environments. Without a flower, hibiscus is relatively easy to identify by its leaves alone. Identifying hibiscus when the plant isn't flowering helps you keep track of the plants growing in your garden.

Instructions

    • 1

      Examine the sides of the leaves; hibiscus has gently indented or ridged edges. The leaf is widest near the base, tapering to a point at the top. The leaf is roughly 2 to 3 inches from base to tip and around 3 inches across at the widest point when fully grown, though the size varies based on the age of the plant.

    • 2

      Check the color; hibiscus leaves are deep to medium green, featuring easily visible, light brown veins. Hibiscus sometimes has a heart-shaped indentation where the stem attaches to the leaf.

    • 3

      Check when new leaves appear on the plant; hibiscus leaves usually appear in February or March in the wild, although this varies if you keep your plant indoors or in a greenhouse. Dying hibiscus leaves turn yellow and then fall off when dead.