Hardy Hibiscus Not Coming Back . At that time, the perennial hardy hibiscus plants have to be pruned a little in order to grow better in the spring. The hardy hibiscus plants lose life back in the winter. Davy's Louisiana Gardening Blog Hardy Hibiscus from davysgardens.blogspot.com I explained to her that, yes, they are planted there permanently. The plant will suffer bad frost damage if left outside in freezing temperatures. Yes, they do come back every spring in our zone 5a conditions.