Hidden Valley Hibiscus
Growers & Hybridizers of Exotic, Tropical Hibiscus

Plant Care

Hibiscus Doctor

Oh no! Something is wrong with your hibiscus! How do you figure out what it is? We have written many, many articles and webpages telling you how to figure out what is wrong with your hibiscus, but sometimes a picture is worth a thousand words. So to help you keep your hibiscus healthy, find the picture and description below that best match the problem with your hibiscus, then click on the link at right to find out how to treat it.

Symptoms

Cause

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White spots or patches on leaves →   Sunburn

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Brown edges on leaves →   Fertilizer Burn

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Buds discolor and fall off before blooming →   Thrips

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Buds turn bright yellow while still tiny
and fall off before blooming →    
Hibiscus Gall Midge

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Scratch marks on flower petals →   Thrips

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Leaves stipple, turn yellow, & fall off →   Spider Mites

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Tiny webs on stems & tips →   Spider Mites

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Leaves turn yellow and fall off
until plant is defoliated,
soil is neither too wet nor too dry →    
 
Spider Mites

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White cottony mess on leaves →   Whiteflies

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Tiny bright white insects fly out
of hibiscus when leaves are shaken →    
Whiteflies

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Black, white, yellow, brown, or green
insects on buds, flowers or leaves →    
Aphids

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Black, white, yellow, brown, or green
insects on buds, flowers or leaves →    
Aphids

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Small, white cottony spots on leaves →   Mealybugs

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Tiny, bright white spots on bark →   Snow Scale

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Tiny, black flying gnats around plant →   Fungus Gnats

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One wilted branch on an otherwise healthy plant →   Dieback Disease

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Plant defoliating from tip, moving down stem
while rest of plant is healthy →    
Dieback Disease

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Entire plant suddenly wilts
soil is very dry →   Underwatering

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Entire plant suddenly wilts
soil is wet →   Wilt Disease

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Black spots on leaves →   Leaf Fungus

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Oldest leaves turn yellow
with dark green veins,
Young leaves stay green →   Magnesium Deficiency

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Youngest leaves turn yellow
with dark green veins,
Older leaves stay green →   Iron Deficiency

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