How can you tell if a potted hibiscus grown as a houseplant is hardy or tropical?
Stick it in the ground, and if it makes it through to next year, it’s hardy.
Seriously, I have no idea, other than that. Do you remember how much you paid for it? The hardy ones are always more expensive (around here, about $30-40 for two-three year olds).
Simply due to the fact you’ve been able to treat it as a houseplant, I’d expect it to be a tropical variety. However, for tips on identifying it, check out this webpage:
http://www.trop-hibiscus.com/gindr.html
Something else that that page doesn’t mention: In my experience, a hibiscus with a woody “trunk” is usually the tropical kind.
Thanks, looks like we are tropical.
BTW, are those huge leaved namesakes of your just older or healthier than the usual houseplant guys, or do you fellows come in varities?