In spring, nearly every garden center sells potted hibiscus, either pruned into small trees, or multi-stemmed and shrub-like, with their distinctive flower form. These are tropical hibiscus, sometimes called Chinese Hibiscus whose botanical species is Hibiscus rosa-sinensis. And they are wonderful plants for decks and patios.
We can learn much about hibiscus care from their native home in the tropics of Asia and Africa where there’s no frost, year-round temperatures are warm and mild and seasons are distinguished as rainy and less rainy, rather than warm and cold. They won’t survive winters outdoors in hardiness zones colder than 9 or 10. Even Louisiana is iffy. But we can make hibiscus think they live in the tropics, by bringing them indoors for the winter.
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Care after purchase. Most hibiscus are sold in spring as potted plants ready for decks and patios. Although hibiscus like full sun, new plants should be gradually acclimated in filtered shade for ten days to avoid burning leaves. If you’re planning to bring them indoors for winter, hibiscus should be left in their pots, instead of planting in flower beds or landscapes.
Watering. In their native tropics, hibiscus receive a plentiful, even supply of rain during the season of active growth. Home gardeners can duplicate this by careful attention to watering, usually once per day. Apply enough so excess runs out the bottom drainage holes. Hibiscus shouldn’t be allowed to dry out extensively or their overall health and flowering will suffer. Dryness in the tropics signals the end of the season of active growth.
Fertilizing. Tropical soils are rich and fertile, allowing hibiscus to feed heavily. Accommodate their appetite by fertilizing every two weeks during spring and summer. All-purpose Miracle Gro works fine. Hibiscus don’t like the high phosphorous content of “blossom booster” fertilizers often recommended for other flowering plants.
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What to Do at Summer’s End. Tropical hibiscus are easily killed by frost. But hibiscus will think they’re in the tropics if we bring them indoors for the winter, and then back outdoors next spring. Bring indoors before night temperatures fall consistently below 50 degrees to avoid chill injury. First wash the foliage and stems with a generous spray from the water hose. This helps prevent aphids and spider mites from tagging along. Because these insects commonly cause problems for hibiscus indoors, it’s wise to spray with insecticidal soap or neem oil after the foliage has been washed and dried. Spraying is easier outdoors. Hibiscus are troubled with spider mites and aphids indoor. Systemic insecticide granules applied to soil provide good control so populations don’t balloon.
Wintering hibiscus indoors.
- If the plant has become quite large over summer, prune to reduce size, back to half, if desired.
- Locate hibiscus in the sunniest indoor location possible, by patio doors, large windows or in a sunroom.
- Short days and decreasing light levels will signal the plant to slow down. To encourage this natural rhythm, decrease watering frequency. This imitates the onset of the dry season in the tropics. Daily watering should gradually be replaced with weekly intervals.
- Fertilizing can be reduced to monthly feeding at half dose.
- Repotting should wait until late winter. Increasing pot size when the hibiscus is less active can make the plant flounder in too much soil, risking overwatering and root rot.
- Leaves often turn yellow and drop. This is normal and they’ll regrow when necessary. In the meantime, when this happens, water sparingly. Don’t push the plant to bloom indoors if it doesn’t want to. It might need a rest. If it’s growing and blooming, water accordingly.
- In late winter or early spring (February or March), lengthening days will signal the hibiscus to resume growth. This is the time to repot. Hibiscus enjoy being “potbound,” and pot sizes between 10 and 14 inches in diameter are sufficient. Increase pot size only gradually, and scrape away a little of the old soil from the top and sides of rootball when repotting. Imitate the soil of the tropics by choosing a top-quality potting mix high in peat moss.
- Prune away spindly winter growth to encourage fresh branching.
- When night temperatures remain consistently above 50 degrees, hibiscus can be moved outdoors to a filtered sun location before exposing to full sun.
- And the cycle begins once more.
- For owners of the increasingly popular tropical mandevilla and dipladenia plants, they can be overwintered just like hibiscus.
A Note About Hardy Hibiscus. There’s a totally different species of hibiscus, called hardy hibiscus, which is an outdoor perennial winter-hardy in zone 4, which many gardeners have enjoyed in their perennial flower beds in our Upper Midwest. There are several named cultivars, most belonging to the species Hibiscus moscheutos, and are offered at local garden centers. These are totally different than the tropical hibiscus sold as potted patio plants, which will not survive our winters if planted outdoors.
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