Is it true that hibiscus is the flower of death?

Many consider hibiscus to be the flower of death, and people have various explanations for this. This is largely due to legends, superstitions, and even mystical factors. However, scientists have directly refuted these superstitions. The reasons for the negative attitude toward hibiscus depend on the country where it is grown. Some countries, on the contrary, consider the flower a symbol of happiness.

History of the flower

U hibiscus There are other names (red sorrel, hibiscus, okra, mallow, etc.), but most often it is called the Chinese rose. The first hibiscus plants were discovered in the wild in Asia (tropical forests). There and in the garden, they grow to a height of 3 meters or more, but indoors they do not exceed 2 meters.

Why is hibiscus considered the flower of death?

The flower of death sounds terrifying, so superstitious people are afraid to keep this royal plant in their home. Others, on the contrary, dream of having a hibiscus on their windowsill. Therefore, it's important to know the origin of this name.

What signs and superstitions are there?

Superstitions are unconfirmed facts invented by people themselves. Therefore, it's up to each person to decide whether to believe them or not. However, the following legends exist:

• When a hibiscus blooms, it foretells the death of its owner or someone in the household. According to mystics and esotericists, not all varieties are worth fearing.
  For example, if a flower blooms at an unusual time (in winter). Although there are varieties that can bloom for extended periods, up to 9-10 months a year.
• Some people believe that illness or death is only a sign of hibiscus sudden leaf loss. However, the cause is most often improper care.
• There is a theory that the flower absorbs people's energy, causing the owner to become depleted of strength.
• There's a belief that hibiscus releases anger, hatred, and other negative emotions into space, causing fatal illnesses. Moreover, the peak release of negativity occurs during flowering.
• There is an opinion that this flower is a husband-killer, that is, it initially attracts men, and then drives them out of the house of an unmarried woman.
• Hibiscus is also called burnet, because it sucks the health out of a person.
• In some countries, it is believed that if there is a hibiscus in the apartment, spouses will inevitably quarrel, even leading to divorce.
• Many people consider it the flower of death solely because of the blood-red hue of its petals. This is precisely how they looked before extensive selective breeding.

Legends of Hibiscus

Another interesting thing about hibiscus is the legends. Here's what they say about the Chinese rose:

• In East Asia, they tell a story about how people learned to make hibiscus tea and how the flower got its name. It turns out that a traveler was lost in the Chinese jungle, unable to find his way out for several days, and was hungry.
  They say he prayed to the gods, and at that moment, beautiful red petals fell right into his pot. He then poured water into it, boiled it, and made delicious tea. When the traveler reached a village, he shared his discovery with the locals.
• In Chengdu (a Chinese metropolis), the hibiscus is revered as a symbol. The story began with a small town being built in the settlement, but its houses soon collapsed. Then, the locals prayed to a magical turtle. It began its journey to a new location, where it was shown exactly how to lay the foundation.
  But what does hibiscus have to do with it? As it turns out, the turtle tracks resembled a Chinese rose.

Attitudes towards the flower in different countries

Hibiscus is viewed differently in different countries around the world:

• Haiti. Here, the flower is revered because it is considered a symbol of purity and beauty. People used to decorate their rooms with blooming flowers or photographs of them. Incidentally, hibiscus is sold to tourists as a souvenir.
• East and South Asia. Here the flower is extolled because it is a symbol of happiness, love, and purity.
  
• Malaysia. All girls and women keep Chinese roses in their homes because the buds are used to weave into hair during religious and other celebrations.
• India, China (south side), Indonesia. Hibiscus is always given to newlyweds during the wedding ceremony, because the flower brings happiness to the couple.
• South America, Argentina. Here it is believed that hibiscus contributes to high yields.
• Brazil. Hibiscus is always given to childless families because the plant promotes conception.
• Argentina. Locals believe that it brings happiness to the family, but to achieve this, three different varieties must be planted at once.

Advantages and disadvantages of the plant

If you don’t believe in superstitions, but just grow hibiscus At home, you can acquire many positive aspects:

• the flowers are very beautiful, so they fit aesthetically into the overall interior;
• the plant helps purify the air (saturates with oxygen, absorbs carbon dioxide, suppresses harmful microorganisms);
• gives off a pleasant aroma;
• does not require special care;
• easy to propagate;
• used as food;
• used in folk medicine;
• The rarity of the varieties surprises guests.

Explanations of scientists

Hibiscus is often called the plant of death due to its sudden and excessive flowering, as well as the rapid wilting of flowers (1-3 days).

Biologists explained why this happens:

• Under favorable conditions, any indoor plants bloom profusely.
• Unexpected wilting is most often associated with a sudden change in environment. For example, when moving the pot, transporting the plant, changing the air temperature, watering it incorrectly, not fertilizing it, etc.
• Regarding the belief that hibiscus is a vampire, there's a clear scientific basis for this, too. Like many other indoor plants, the China rose is capable of purifying the air by absorbing harmful substances and bacteria. This causes its leaves to fall off.
  This is a warning sign that the room needs to be disinfected and ventilated more often, as these same harmful elements also have a negative impact on human health.
• If the leaves don't fall all at once, but only partially—which is also a bad sign for many people—it's not a cause for alarm. The tree's crown simply renews itself periodically, that is, it rejuvenates itself.

Answers to frequently asked questions

There are a number of questions that interest gardeners, especially beginners. These include superstitions, magical factors, feng shui, and much more.

Is a flower a man-killer?

In some countries, the plant is considered a husband-killer, but there's no scientific basis for this. There's only an ancient belief that hibiscus was once used in rituals aimed at achieving celibacy.

What magical properties does the flower have?

Those who practice magic claim that the flower absorbs positive energy and expels negative energy. This is fundamentally incorrect, as hibiscus always purifies the environment, like any houseplant.

What does a plant mean according to Feng Shui?

This is a Chinese teaching, so the placement of the pot is given great importance. What does Feng Shui recommend?

• for plants with yellow buds, choose south-eastern windowsills;
• for white flowers - western windows;
• for the reds - the South.

Is it possible to keep a flower at home?

For those who don't believe in superstitious beliefs, it's essential to grow a Chinese rose in your apartment, because it's not only beautiful but also beneficial, as mentioned above.

If you're at a crossroads, place a pot of hibiscus in the hallway or living room, but not the bedroom. Generally, modern people are guided by common sense and scientific evidence, not by superstitions invented by ancient humanity.

Why does hibiscus bloom?

If flowering occurs during the period when a particular variety should bloom, then this only means that the time has come to bring joy into the home.

If the buds open at a different time, when the plant is dormant, it means special conditions have been created. Specifically, temperature, humidity, and other factors are consistent with the requirements for flowering.

What does the job promise?

In recent years, hibiscus has increasingly been grown in offices and similar spaces. This is due to its ease of care, long flowering period, and its ability to blend seamlessly with any room design.

But even here, things are ambiguous – some employers believe that hibiscus motivates people to take action, increases productivity, and gives them energy.

How to neutralize negative meanings?

The best thing to do is to forget about superstitions, because they are essentially relics of the past. But if you can't shake such thoughts, simply don't grow it in your home.

According to legend, many people neutralized negativity by burning the flower along with its roots. Even the soil where the Chinese rose grew was thrown into remote places.

Can women keep a flower?

Definitely possible. In support of this, esotericists claim that the flower possesses powerful energy that attracts love. However, other followers of this same teaching say that the plant hinders the formation of strong relationships.

The third half suggests that we should adhere to the customs of the country we live in. Therefore, in Russia, there are no inherent superstitions regarding hibiscus and women's happiness.

Should men keep the flower?

Knowing that hibiscus is called the Chinese rose, it shouldn't be placed in a man's room, as it's more of a feminine flower. However, according to legend, the plant draws energy and strength from the male body.

Interesting facts

Hibiscus come in many different species and varieties. They are grown in greenhouses, gardens, and indoor pots. But there are some interesting facts that shouldn't be overlooked. For example:

• Even in ancient times, hair dye and food coloring were made from the flower.
• China rose is used to make tea, compote, and other beverages. It is also used to make infusions and decoctions to treat many ailments and health problems.
  
• There are varieties with sour petals that are used like spinach and sorrel.
• 800 years ago, the Egyptians already used Chinese rose for cooking, but from unripe seed pods.
• The flower appears on the Malaysian coat of arms. The capital has a park with over 2,000 varieties of hibiscus, making it a popular venue for weddings.
• In Fiji, Indonesia and Malaysia, the Chinese rose is so revered that they even hold actual festivals in its honor.
• Based on the Chinese translation, where the flower is designated by a special hieroglyph, this culture is called exquisite.
• There is not a single house in South Korea where hibiscus does not grow.
• Hibiscus contains a huge amount of carotene, vitamins B and C.

Based on all of the above, it became clear that the Chinese rose brings death only according to mythological legends, and therefore poses no danger to modern humans. Moreover, the stereotypes inherent in these superstitions were apparently formed by fateful coincidences. Therefore, hibiscus can and even should be grown on your windowsills.

Frequently Asked Questions