Worldwide, people grow both Brassica and hibiscus for their ornamental flowers and vegetables. But how is the Brassica flower different from the hibiscus flower?
Brassica (AKA cruciferous vegetables, cabbages, or mustard plants) is a genus of plants and members of the mustard family (Brassicaceae), consisting of over 350 genera. Hibiscus is a genus among the flowering plants in the mallow family Malvaceae. The genus comprises several hundred species native to warm-temperate, subtropical, and tropical regions worldwide.
Read on to find out the main differences between Brassica and hibiscus, how the Brassica flower differs from the hibiscus flower, and, most importantly, how to properly grow and care for Brassica.
See also: 5 Common Hibiscus Plant Diseases You Need To Look Out For!
What Are The Characteristics Of a Brassica vs. Hibiscus?
Brassica spp. is a member of the family Brassicaceae, which consists of over 350 genera. The Brassica genus consists of many species, including cabbage, broccoli, kale, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards, rutabaga, and turnip; most of these species embrace attractive leaves.
On the other hand, hibiscus includes various plants grown for ornamental flowers and vegetables and fiber plants. Some are hardy perennials, while others are annuals, tropical plants, or shrubs.
The table below summarizes the main differences between Brassica and hibiscus:
| Brassica Flower | Hibiscus | |
| Genus | Brassica | Hibiscus |
| Family | Brassicaceae | Malvaceae |
| Species | Oleracea | – Trees – Shrubs |
| Genera | 350 species | 300 species |
| Life Cycle | – Biennial – Perennial | – Annuals – Perennials |
| Soil Drainage | – Moist – Good Drainage | A Rich and well-drained soil mix is ideal for growing hibiscus. |
| Light requirements | – Brassica thrives in full sun (about six or more hours of direct sunlight a day) – Partial shade (about 2-6 hours of direct sunlight only part of the day) | Full sun |
| pH requirements | 6.0 to 8.0 | 6.5 to 6.8 |
| Propagation | – Seed – Stem Cutting | – Seeds – Vegetative cuttings |
| Maintenance | Easy to Grow | – Low maintenance plants, however, overwatering or overfertilizing can increase the risk of various hibiscus plant diseases. – Prune hibiscus in late winter to promote a bushier plant. |
| Benefits | – Wildlife larval host – Attracts pollinators | It might help relieve conditions, including: – Upset stomach – Bacterial infections – High blood pressure – Fever |
| Height | 0 ft. 10 in. (25.4 cm) – 2 ft. 0 in. (60.96 cm) | 15 ft (4.5 m) rarely exceeds 6.5 ft (2 m) |
| Width | 1 ft. 0 in.(30.48 cm) – 2 ft. 0 in. (60.96 cm) | 3-5 feet (91.44 to 152.4 cm) |
| Flower color | – Gold – Yellow – White – Pink – Purple – Red | – Yellow – White – Burgundy – Red – Pink – Lavender |
| Brassica Flower Bloom Time | – Summer – Spring | – Perennial hibiscus generally blooms in mid to late summer. |
| Grow well in | – Container – Coastal – Patio – Meadow – Small space – Pond | – Container – Patio – Coastal – Meadow – Small space |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zone | 6 to 9 | Tropical hibiscus grows in zones 9 and 10. Hardy perennial hibiscus thrives in zones 5 to 9. |
How Is The Brassica Flower Different From The Hibiscus Flower
Brassica flowers are sturdier, less fragile, and lasting because of their waxy leaves and stem. In addition, their flowers flourish in three hues: deep rosy violet, crimson white, and emerald green. Brassica is vast and immense in comparison to other flowers, including hibiscus.
Grown for its tender flowering shoots, Brassica is quite popular in China. It tends to be most flavorful if harvested just before the flowers open and is adequately sweet to use lightly dressed in a fresh salad.
Brassicas have perfect flowers, but they require insect pollinators. And ornamental Brassica is popular in the decorative floral industry because of its hardiness. With the proper treatment, Brassica can remain fresh for more than one week.
In China, Brassicas are more typically cooked—boiled, steamed, or stir-fried. They are a colorful and flavorful complement to meat, fish, or chicken dishes.
But, in the West, Brassica makes a tasty addition to cream-based pasta. In addition, many plants in the Brassica family are pretty beautiful in the garden; some thrive in cooler seasons, and some prefer hot seasons.
The Brassica species and varieties include flowers, such as cabbage, broccoli, brussels sprouts, cauliflower, collards, kale, rutabaga, and turnip; most of these embrace attractive leaves.
And generally, the hibiscus plant’s foliage is often bold and remarkable, but it is less noticeable because the mid to late-summer season blossoms are often prominent.
Hibiscus are grown primarily for their gorgeous and often amazingly large flowers. Adding hibiscus to your garden will give it a bold and tropical effect. In addition, they are also highly attractive to hummingbirds and butterflies.
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How Do You Grow Brassica Plants?
- Most Brassicas are biennials, meaning they take two seasons to produce seed and require cold treatment to flower.
- Do not cover the Brassica seed because it requires sunlight to grow.
- Brassica is a perennial plant that grows ideally in a cold climate and is also better at surviving frost than summer heat.
- The best period to plant Brassica starts in the early autumn, giving it enough time to adjust to the decreasing temperature.
- The best place for Brassica to grow is in moisture-rich soil under direct light leaving about 20 inches of space between the plants.
- You can also grow Brassica indoors, but it depends strongly on the temperature regime; and will blossom only in a bright, cool room.
- When planting Brassica from the seed, sow them about 6 or 8 weeks before the first frost and ensure the soil is uncovered because the plants need light to germinate.
- Generally, Brassicas do not grow much larger when planted in the pot. Therefore, the bigger you choose, the bigger you get.
- It is essential to change the water regularly, as the stems of cut Brassica flowers make the water smelly and dirty faster.
- After the Brassica flower, cut out the flowering stems, mainly when the flowers show signs of forming seed pods to conserve the plant’s energy or resources for additional leafing up.
See also: Rose Vs. Tulip: What Are The Differences Between Both?
Tips For Caring For Brassicas:
- Soil requirement – For optimal growth, keep your soil well-drained and moist.
Before planting the seeds, make rows spaced from 18 to 24 inches apart, and put seeds in a row, leaving a space of about 6 inches between them.
Generally, Brassica starts to blossom in the fall and can deal with a temperature as low as 5° F if well acclimatized, even though sudden frost might be deadly for the plant. Try to plan to plant Brassicas during the months of frost to help them grow in their full glory.
- Watering Requirement: Ensure you water Brassica thoroughly after it fully matures. But water the plant adequately to keep the soil moist.
- Let the soil dry out between watering for maintenance, but do not keep it dry for too long, as your Brassica may die.
- Sun exposure – Brassicas require sunlight to thrive, but Brassicas’ flowers are like cold temperatures, not summer-friendly. Partial sunlight is essential to keep Brassicas’ flowers beautiful.
- Common Pests and Diseases – Common insects and diseases affecting Brassica and hibiscus. A few pests affect Brassica, including aphids, slugs, snails, and white caterpillars. In addition, without full sun exposure, Brassica can form downy mildew.
- Many insects don’t typically affect hibiscus, but spider mites, Japanese beetles, whiteflies, and aphids occasionally become a problem.
Limit the use of pesticides to avoid killing beneficial insects, which can also be the best defense against whiteflies and aphids. Generally, using insecticides is not effective against heavy infestations of these pests.
See also: Should You Leave Really Rhododendrons In The Sun Or The Shade? (Here’s the truth!)
Wrapping Up
Overall, Brassica flowers and hibiscus flowers can be an excellent addition to your home, patio, or garden.
They both have a relatively low maintenance requirement and will add color to your home and turn your space into an abode of beauty, peace, and magnificence.
