Do Hummingbirds Like Hibiscus? (Yes, here’s why)

Do hummingbirds like hibiscus?

Hummingbirds like Hibiscus because of their nectars and sweet scents. The deep-toned blooms of hibiscus make it a favorite of the hummers.

Hummingbirds are beautiful birds that are admired by many people.

These small, colorful birds are fascinating to watch as they flit from flower to flower. 

Many gardeners put out feeders with sugar water for the creatures, but some also plant hibiscus flowers simply because their nectar is a favorite of the hummers. 

Hibiscus plants produce an abundance of flowers year after year, often continuously blooming until fall frosts send them into dormancy for wintertime.

Many gardeners believe that any red or orange-colored flowers will attract these little birds. This is because blood-colored roses and other deep-toned blooms are popular with people. 

However, hibiscus must have a higher sugar content than roses and other flowers provide. That is why hibiscus flowers make such great feeders for them.

If you live in an area where these plants will grow, consider having some on hand just for the birds. Many people plant them along fences or walls where they can be seen from indoors but remember that if their nectar becomes available to the birds. 

They also become available to many insects that could damage your garden. Try growing hibiscus in another area of your yard so you can enjoy their beauty while letting the petals fall where they may without inviting uninvited guests.

What Can The Gardener Do To Harvest Hibiscus And Have Them Not Damaged By Hummingbirds?

It is important that the gardener makes sure that there are no hummingbird nests near their hibiscus plant because hummingbirds will damage the flowers.

The gardener should also make sure to pick a few flowers from each plant so that it does not die out. 

The gardener could put something in the garden to keep away bees so they don’t get pollinated as well. If all else fails, buy a bee trap and hang it nearby.

Hummingbirds’ scientific classification

Reasons Why Hummingbirds Like Hibiscus

If you have them in your garden, you might already know the answer. Here are ten reasons why they do.

1). They’ll enjoy the sweet nectar

The bright red hue of hibiscus flowers attracts hummingbirds, while the sweet nectar promises a satisfying snack. With so many flowers in one plant, it’s easy for hummingbirds to keep their sugar levels up while feeding on these blooms all day long.

2). They offer nectar-rich blooms throughout the entire summer growing season

From spring well into fall, hibiscus plants provide hummingbirds with fresh flower blooms every few weeks. It’s even possible to have flowers in both spring and fall when re-potting your hibiscus plant if you can’t find time to do it during the summer months. 

Regularly scheduled feeding will ensure that your plant stays healthy no matter when you are able to tend to its repotting needs.

3). Their blossoms attract other birds too

Many kinds of birds love eating the seeds inside hibiscus flower pods after the petals fall off. To make sure that these visitors don’t eat up all your birdseed, plant some hibiscus nearby and place an inexpensive feeder nearby with fresh water for them as well.

4). They attract an entire ecosystem

Hummingbirds aren’t the only ones who like to sip from hibiscus flowers: butterflies and bees do too. These insects will pollinate your flowers, while birds will eat the seeds inside the pod, further benefiting your garden. 

Making sure there are birdfeeders nearby is always a good idea for these creatures as well, since they’ll swarm around any food source they can find.

5). They’re Colorful Caffeine Fiends

Did you know that hibiscus flowers (like many other brightly colored blooms) are a source of caffeine for hummingbirds? Hummingbirds are the only birds that drink caffeine. This is because it helps them to stay alert and keep up their high metabolism while they’re feeding. 

Hibiscus flowers have among the highest caffeine levels of any plant, so it’s no wonder hummingbirds like them.

6). They Love the Sweet Stuff

Nectar is the main item on a hummingbird’s diet, and hibiscus flowers offer some of the sweetest nectar around. The bird’s long tongue can extract nectar from deep within the flower’s tubes, where it is most concentrated.

7). They’re Tough Survivors

Even though they’re small, hummingbirds are remarkably tough and hardy creatures. They can survive cold weather conditions by bundling up in their feathers and going into a deep hibernation called torpor, which lowers their body temperature and allows them to conserve energy. 

Source

They Also Have A Strong Immune System And Can Fight Off Diseases Easily.

So what can you do? Here are 10 ways to prevent hummingbirds from hibiscus:

1). Substitute something else as your hibiscus flowers

There are several plants that make great substitutes for hibiscus. Consider planting some of these alternatives instead:

• trumpet creeper (Campsis radicans)
• lobelia cardinals
• impatiens walleriana
• geraniums

2). Plant your hibiscus in a container

If you don’t want to give up your beautiful hibiscus flowers, but you also don’t want the hummingbirds to bother them, then plant your hibiscus in a container. 

This will limit the number of hummingbirds that can get to them and will also make it easier for you to take them inside during cold weather.

3). Hang fake flowers around your hibiscus plants

Another way to keep the hummingbirds away is to hang some fake flowers around your hibiscus flower.

You can also use aluminum foil, but hanging fake flowers works better because it will more closely resemble what hibiscus flowers look like to the hummingbird.

4). Make your own natural repellent

There are several ways that you can make a natural repellent yourself using things that you probably already have at home. One way of doing this is by mixing water with soap and spraying it onto the plant. 

This won’t harm the plant or any of its insects at all. Another great homemade option is to add hot peppers into a spray bottle full of water and then just spray that around where you don’t want the birds to go near.

5). Make a homemade fake bird repellent

Another thing that you can do to prevent hummingbirds from bothering your hibiscus is to make a simple fake bird scare them away.

All you have to do is take a plastic bottle and cut it in half, making sure not to poke any holes in the bottom of the bottle. 

Then, stuff some tissues inside it until it looks like a little bird pile and tape or tie the two halves together so that they don’t fall apart.

Put these near your plants and watch as the hummingbirds go after this “fake bird” instead!

6). Add some metallic substance on top of your hibiscus plant

A great way for you to deter hummingbirds is to sprinkle some metallic substance on top of your hibiscus plant. 

This can be anything from a bit of aluminum foil to small bits of tinsel or even just things that have been painted silver. These will reflect the light and scare away any hummingbirds that come near.

7). Plant jasmine around your hibiscus

Jasmine is another great flower that can deter hummingbirds, but you’ll also want to make sure that they keep coming back every year by planting plenty more around your hibiscus plant as well. 

If you live in an area where it gets cold during the winter, then this might not be possible for you because it will die before winter comes along. However, if you live somewhere warm, then this is a great option.

8). Plant some hibiscus away from your main garden

If you really love hibiscus flowers but don’t want to bother with the hummingbirds, then you can always plant them in a separate area away from your main garden. This way, you’ll still be able to enjoy their beauty without having to worry about the birds too much.

9). Use a bird feeder near your hibiscus plants

One way that you can get the hummingbirds to stop bothering your hibiscus plants is by using a bird feeder near them.

This will attract other types of birds that the hummingbirds might not be interested in and will keep them away from your flowers.

10). Use a fake hummingbird feeder to attract the real ones away from your plants

Last, but not least, you can also use a fake hummingbird feeder to attract the real ones away from your plants.

This is a great option if you want to keep an eye on them and make sure that they’re not eating any of your flowers. 

You can buy these fake feeders pretty cheaply at most stores, so it’s definitely worth a try.

Conclusion

Hummingbirds like hibiscus because they’re nectar-rich blooms throughout the entire summer growing season.

They’re easy to grow from seed, can grow in a variety of conditions, are an attractive addition to any garden, and attract an entire ecosystem. 

There are plenty of different ways that you can prevent hummingbirds from bothering your hibiscus plants. Whether you want to use a repellent or just plant some other flowers nearby, there’s definitely something for everyone. 

So, don’t hesitate to try out some of these methods and keep those hummingbirds away.