Why is my Rose of Sharon not getting leaves?
Robert Clark
Published Jan 11, 2026
The rose-of-sharon leafs out late in spring. In Iowa, plants may not leaf out until late May or early June. Give the shrub a few more weeks. If it hasn't leafed out by mid-June, it's probably dead.
How do you revive a rose of Sharon?
Rose of Sharon is a Japanese beetle magnet. Fortunately, they're easy to spot and release willingly with a little nudge. I fill a small container with soapy water and encourage them to take a swim. They breathe through their body so a soapy coating suffocates them and takes care of the problem without chemicals.When should the rose of Sharon start getting leaves?
Plant rose of Sharon in spring or fall. The plants tend to leaf out a bit late in springtime, so don't be alarmed if yours gets off to a slow start. Space the plants 6 to 10 feet apart; read the tag or label for the exact spacing.What's wrong with my rose of Sharon?
Rose of sharon shrubs can be sensitive to drought or waterlogged soil. Yellowing or browning leaves, dropping buds, wilting plants or stunted growth problems with althea oftentimes are caused by improper drainage in the planting site.Will my rose of Sharon come back?
Rose of Sharons are best pruned when dormant because the blooms will grow on new wood. It's also one of the last trees to get its leaves in the spring, so every year I think I've killed mine, but they always come back (despite following an incorrect pruning schedule).All you need to know about Hibiscus Syriacus (Rose of Sharon)
What Kills rose of Sharon bushes?
Of course, chemicals can be used to kill rose of Sharon seedlings. A herbicide formulated for woody plants, such as Bioadvance's brush killer or Ortho's Ground Clear will do the job. These are non-selective plant killers, though, so you need to be very careful in how you apply them.Is Miracle Gro good for rose of Sharon?
Benefits: Better Blooms, More Colorful Blooms, Easy to UseIf you go to any farm or farmer's market the only type of fertilizer they will recommend using is this water-soluble solution by miracle-gro.