A profile of the ‘Voodoo Queen’ hibiscus
Story and Photos by Alan Pulley
Who doesn’t love hibiscus flowers? They come in so many sizes and colors and grow in most tropical areas of the world. I have grown a variety of tropical hibiscus in my time; however, last year I came across one that I had to get my hands on: ‘Voodoo Queen’. This hibiscus is just mesmerizing. The blooms are up to 7 inches in diameter and change colors as the day progresses. Yes, like magic, ‘Voodoo Queen’ blooms change colors over the course of a single day. The large flowers open with reddish pink petals and violet centers with a maroon heart. And if that wasn’t good enough, in the afternoon, the color magically changes to yellow petals with grayish lavender centers and a red heart.
You will certainly want to add the magnificent ‘Voodoo Queen’ to your tropical plant collection. Hibiscus need full sun with plenty of water and fertilizer to maximize their blooming potential.
Quick Facts and Keys to Success
Common Name: ‘Voodoo Queen’ hibiscus
Botanical Name: Hibiscus rosa-sinensis ‘Voodoo Queen’
Zone(s): 9-11
Color(s): Flowers open with reddish pink petals with violet centers and a maroon heart. In the afternoon, the colors slowly change to yellow petals with grayish lavender centers and a red heart. The foliage is a dark glossy green.
Blooming Period: Summer to fall
Type: Tropical
Mature Size: 2-4 feet tall, 3 feet wide
Exposure: Full sun
When to Plant: Spring
Soil: Keep soil semi-moist but not too wet.
When to Prune: Not necessary. Deadhead blooms to keep plant looking neat.
When to Fertilize: Every couple weeks throughout the summer to maximize bloom potential.
In your Landscape: This plant does best in a container. In the fall, before a frost, cut back and move to a protected area, such as a garage, to overwinter. Water just enough to keep the soil from drying out. Bring back out in the spring after all danger of frost has passed.