How to Make Paper Hibiscus Flowers

Hibiscus flowers are beautiful, colorful blossoms that make a wonderful addition to tropical crafts and parties. Most hibiscus flowers are pink, red, orange, yellow or white, and many of them have a contrasting center. You can make paper hibiscus flowers from colored cardstock, regular paper or origami paper. To make a hibiscus flower from tissue paper, you’ll need to use several layers and stack them together. If you don’t want to draw your own paper hibiscus flowers, you can download a template from the resource link below, then cut out the template pieces and trace them.

Things You'll Need

• colored paper
• contrasting paper
• scrap of yellow paper
• green paper (optional)
• pencil
• scissors
• glue

Instructions

1. Draw the outline of a hibiscus flower on the colored paper (or download a template for the petals and leaves using the link below). Hibiscus have five curved petals, like a star shape, that are fairly close together.

2. Cut out the paper hibiscus. Wrap the end of one petal around the side of the pencil to curl it, then remove the pencil. Curl the rest of the petals the same way.

3. Push down the center of the hibiscus flower, and adjust the petals so that the flower looks graceful and even.

4. Draw a small center with five petals on the contrasting paper. Cut out the center and bend the petals upwards. Poke a small hole in the center of the contrasting paper.

5. Draw a stamen, or narrow strip that’s wider at the top, on yellow paper. Cut out the stamen.

6. Insert the narrow end of the stamen through the hole in the contrasting center. Fold the end of the stamen over slightly to hold it in place. Glue the center of the stamen to the middle of the hibiscus flower.

7. Draw leaves (optional) on green paper that are pointed at one end and curved at the other, like a teardrop. Cut out the leaves and glue them to the back of the paper hibiscus flower.

Tips & Warnings

• You can use markers or colored pencils to draw contrasting edges or highlights on the paper hibiscus to add extra realism or detail.

• To make a hibiscus flower from tissue paper, cut about six layers of petals and stack them together. Cut about four layers for the contrasting center. To make the stamen, cut a piece of yellow tissue paper about 1 inch wide and 1/2 inch longer than you want the stamen. Roll the paper up, twisting it together, then fold over the top to make the end of the stamen.

• Use caution when working with scissors.

Resources

• Download a template for a paper hibiscus flower.
• Here’s how to make a fancy paper hibiscus with painted petals.