Hibiscus is known as one of the most important medicinal plants as it doesn’t only boost the immune system but also it can play its role as a barrier to different diseases. The tea made from hibiscus acts as an antioxidant as hibiscus is enriched with different antioxidants such as anthocyanin, beta carotene, etc. In addition, if you are looking for a weight loss solution then surely drinking hibiscus tea daily can be the best solution.
People like to grow hibiscus plants in their garden as the flower of the hibiscus increases the beauty of your garden. But if you want to grow hibiscus plants in your garden or terrace then you will need to have a clear idea about the different parts of hibiscus. Therefore, in this article, we are going to discuss the root system of the hibiscus plant.
Hibiscus Root System Explained
Hibiscus root systems do not have any complex root system but it is a combination of different sorts of root-like: short, shallow roots, and taproots. The roots spread from the main part of the plant with new shoots developing from the roots but one root connects those spreading roots to the main part.
The spreading root system goes deeper into the soil more than 9 feet. Mainly, the shallow root system grows this longer and therefore, there is a high chance of being uprooted. The root that grows from the radicle of the plant is known as the taproot or primary root. Then different shoots or branches grow from this primary root which is known as secondary roots as those branches can also have roots which is why the roots of the hibiscus spread throughout the soil.
Cottonwood hibiscus:
Cottonwood hibiscus have a root system combined of taproots and shallow roots. The primary roots grow from the radicle of the plant and then spread, developing more shoots or branches.
Australian native hibiscus:
Australian native hibiscus usually grows in the colder parts of Australia. The Australian native hibiscus has fibrous roots which don’t spread like the other hibiscus which is why it can be grown in pots.
Hardy hibiscus:
Hardy hibiscus has a taproot system like the normal breed of hibiscus. They have a root system combined with short or long roots which are known as taproots. They have a widespread root system which can grow around 7 feet.
Cranberry hibiscus:
The cranberry hibiscus root system contains different branches growing from the taproots. The different branches grow with more roots which later spreads taking a wide space. However, all the roots and shoots are connected to one root which is known as the primary root and the primary roots originate from the radicle.
Red hibiscus:
Red hibiscus does also have a primary root from where all the secondary roots originate. The primary root also grows different branches like roots and those roots can grow up to more than 7 feet. The red hibiscus is found in every country and is one of the most common terrace plants.
Hibiscus Tiliaceus Rubra:
Hibiscus tiliaceus Rubra has a spreading root system which is near the surface. The roots are mainly spread laterally and the roots consist of a few main roots.
Hibiscus Rosa Sinensis:
The root system of hibiscus rosa Sinensis is almost similar to the root system of other breeds of hibiscus. The root system consists of several secondary roots and the secondary roots are connected to some of the main roots that originate from the radicle.
Does Hibiscus have deep roots?
Hibiscus does have deep roots and the roots can go up to more than 8 feet. As most hibiscus breeds have tap roots which are known as secondary roots, they can grow long and can go deeper. Most hibiscus roots are highly spreading and the secondary roots are mostly shallow roots.
The hibiscus root system consists of different roots such as taproots, shallow roots etc. Mainly the taproots grow from the main roots and they grow deeper inside the soil. The root system of the hibiscus is shallow which is why regardless of having deep roots as they can be blown off by strong winds.
How Deep Are Hibiscus Roots?
The root system of the hibiscus is basically deep and the roots grow upto 7 to 8 feet long. However, the roots of the hibiscus are highly spreading which is why they can even grow more than 7 or 8 feet. Mainly the tap roots grow longer or deeper which is also called the secondary roots.
The reason behind the growth of the roots is that there are branches that grow from the main roots of the hibiscus. Therefore, when the long roots grow from those long branches, eventually the length of the roots becomes larger.
Is hibiscus taproot or a fibrous root system?
Actually, hibiscuses are a combination of both taproot and shallow fibrous root systems. The Hibiscus plant’s root system is known as a highly spreading root system and the taproots are shallow. Basically, the taproots are quite stabilizing as well as spreading and sometimes the taproots can be more in quantity than the main roots.
The shallow root system of hibiscuses means that the roots don’t have any buds, nodes or leaves. The shallow root system draws all the necessary minerals from the soil and supplies it to the different parts of the plant. However, the shallow root system can also make the plant vulnerable to being blown off by strong winds.
What kind of root system does hibiscus have?
Well, the root system of the hibiscus plant comprises two different systems. However, both of these systems are really important for the plant as both the systems help the plant in different ways. Below we have discussed the root systems of the hibiscus plant:
Taproot system:
The taproot system basically indicates the secondary roots that emerge from the main root. The secondary roots are a bunch of tap roots that are highly spread under the soil. In addition, the tap roots grow deeper under the soil and grow more than 7 to 8 feet.
Shallow fibrous root system:
The taproots are actually shallow as they lack any sort of buds, nodes or even leaves. Therefore, the taproots are also known as shallow fibrous roots. The shallow fibrous roots are really important for the plant as it supplies necessary nutrients from the soil to the different parts of the plant.
How big are Hibiscus roots?
The length of the hibiscus roots depends on the breed of the hibiscus. As most of the breeds have larger roots but some of them have smaller roots.
The roots of the hibiscus have an average length of 7 to 8 feet. Well, depending on the breeds, the roots can even grow more than 8 feet. The root system of the hibiscus is both taproots and a shallow fibrous root system. The taproot is highly spreading and can grow laterally. Also, there are branches that grow from the main roots which can be longer. The tap roots grow from these shoots and eventually, they will grow up to 8 feet.
Are Hibiscus Roots Invasive?
Well, the hibiscus roots are not invasive. Rather they have a shallow fibrous root system. The root system of the hibiscus is not that aggressive because it can grow up to 8 feet. In special cases, they can grow more than 8 feet but they won’t grow more than 10 feet. Also, the roots of the hibiscus are not that sturdy which is why they are prone to be blown off by heavy storms or strong winds.
The hibiscus root system is mainly a shallow fibrous root system. That means the taproots don’t have any buds, leaves or nodes. Also, the taproots don’t grow longer than 7 or 8 feet which is why the hibiscus roots are not invasive.
Can Hibiscus roots damage foundation or pipes?
No, the hibiscus roots cannot damage the foundation or pipes. As the hibiscus roots are not invasive, therefore, they are not capable of damaging foundations or pipes. Also, for a shallow fibrous root system, the hibiscus roots won’t grow longer than 7 or 8 feet. The hibiscus roots are not as sturdy as the invasive roots which is why they won’t be able to damage the foundation or pipes.
Do Hibiscus spread or multiply?
The Hibiscus root system is known as a highly spreading root system. That means the taproots of the hibiscus will only grow and spread as much as they can. They won’t multiply like the other roots but they will indeed grow and spread deeper into the soil.
Final Thoughts:
The Hibiscus root system is a combination of both taproot systems as well as shallow fibrous root systems. The taproots grow from the main roots and then spreads by growing larger. Also, the roots of the hibiscus is not invasive rather they are fibrous and shallow.