GARDEN CENTRE PETS HOME DÉCOR FEATURED SPECIALS AND SALES OF THE MONTH ABOUT US BLOG

 0
CONTACT US GIFT CERTIFICATES

Gardens
Jul. 22, 2019
How to Care for
Hibiscus Plants
The hibiscus flower is one of those quintessential tropical
blooms that leaves us dreaming of sunsets, beaches and
fruity blended drinks, and luckily here in Powell River, our
weather is just warm enough to reliably care for hibiscus
plants even though it isn’t exactly a tropical rainforest
climate.

While most hibiscus plants can only be kept as annuals

here since they can’t survive sub-zero
winter temperatures, there are a few cold-hardy varieties
available that can be planted as perennials. We have
brought in a very special Hibiscus that can withstand the
coldest temperatures that our climate can subject it to.
With deep green, almost black tinted foliage and 9 inch
diameter bright red blooms, this hibiscus is appropriately
named the “Holy Grail.” It will come back year after year,
growing up to 5 ft in height and spread. The Holy Grail
won’t bloom until early August but we promise it will be
well worth the wait.

While hibiscus plants can be a little bit needier than some

other popular flowers, mastering the basics of hibiscus
care isn’t exceedingly difficult, and their vibrant blooms are
well worth a little extra effort. With repeated blooming that
lasts from spring until fall, there’s so much to love about
these bright, exotic flowers. We’ve assembled this hibiscus
care guide so you can confidently grow your own hibiscus
right at home.

Hibiscus Care: Containers vs.

Outdoor Planting
Hibiscus can be grown in containers or planted in garden
beds outdoors, but all things considered, most folks find it
a bit easier to care for them in containers. The beauty of
container gardening is the freedom to move your plants
around to make sure their needs are being met. If the spot
you’ve chosen for your hibiscus isn’t getting quite enough
sun, you can easily move it to a new spot. Once
temperatures begin to drop, you can even bring it inside to
overwinter it so you can enjoy it for a second summer.

When choosing a container to put your hibiscus in, don’t

get one that’s too large. Hibiscus plants actually prefer a
slightly snug fit around their roots, so a smaller pot with
some drainage holes will work best. If you’re keeping it
indoors, find a sunny windowsill to place it on, but don’t let
it touch the glass as the sun can heat the windowpane and
end up scorching the plant.

Hibiscus plants in containers should be fertilized a little

more frequently than ones planted in garden beds— about
once a week during the blooming period should suffice.
Garden hibiscus should be fertilized about once every two
weeks. Neither require any fertilizer during the winter
months. A slow-release 14-14-14 fertilizer, or one specially
formulated for hibiscus plants should work fine— just don’t
go too overboard, as too much phosphorus could bring
your hibiscus to an untimely end. Fertilizers with a bit of
extra magnesium and iron will help them to bloom
especially well.

When planting hibiscus in the garden, make sure there are

about 2-3 feet between each plant. They grow pretty
quickly during the summer, so they’ll fill out really nicely.
Do a little pH test of the soil if you think it might be more
on the alkaline side— hibiscus does best in slightly acidic
soil, and you can make conditions a bit more ideal by
mixing in some loam.

Hibiscus Care: Water and Sunlight

The first rule of hibiscus care: always water them with
warm water. Cold water from the hose will shock your
plants, so it’s best to fill a watering can with warm tap
water instead (not too hot, though—you don’t want to cook
your hibiscus). During the sunny summer months, hibiscus
plants will need to be watered frequently, but it’s important
to make sure their soil has excellent drainage, so the roots
don’t become waterlogged. Container hibiscus should be
watered daily, whereas garden hibiscus needs to be
watered about every other day. If you’re overwintering your
hibiscus indoors, always wait for the soil to dry out before
watering again.

As for sunlight, hibiscus plants like lots and lots! The more
direct sunlight, the better they will bloom. Aim for 8+ hours
of direct sun, daily. While they can sometimes tolerate a bit
of partial shade, the blossoms won’t be quite as frequent
or impressive, so if you’re planting your hibiscus in the
garden, make sure it’s in a spot that isn’t going to get
shaded by tall trees or a nearby fence. As we mentioned
before, one of the nice things about a container hibiscus is
that you can move it around to make sure it’s getting
enough sun, so keep an eye on your container plants to
make sure they’re thriving in your chosen spot for them.

Hibiscus Care: Extra Tips

Now that you know the basics of caring for hibiscus here in
Powell River, here’s a few bonus tips that will help you keep
your plant happy and healthy:

Be on the lookout for pests. Aphids, spider mites and

whiteflies like to munch on hibiscus, but a simple
insecticidal soap solution made from castile soap and
water should help get them out.
Prune your hibiscus once in the spring. While this, of
course, doesn’t apply to annual hibiscus plants, if you
have one that you’re overwintering, or if you have a
cold-hardy variety in your landscape, pruning will help
promote future blooms. Remove about 1/3 of the
branches, starting with any that look weak, or
awkwardly jut outward, and leave behind at least 3 or
4 sturdier main branches.
If the leaves are turning yellow, cut back on watering.
This tends to happen in the winter for indoor plants, so
reduce the frequency of watering if you spot those
early signs.
Don’t use clay pots. This material can actually cause
the soil to become a bit more alkaline over time, so
stick to plastic or stone pots for your hibiscus.

Hibiscus care can sometimes be a labour of love, but the

resulting blooms that keep reappearing for months on end
are totally worth it. So long as you keep an eye on your
plant and monitor its growth and colouring, your hibiscus
will be in good hands. To find the perfect hibiscus variety
that suits your landscape design, visit us at Mother Nature
in Powell River, and one of our experts will be happy to
help.

PREVIOUS POST NEXT POST

Contact Us

MOTHER NATURE MOTHER NATURE FOLLOW US

7050 Duncan Street GARDEN CENTRE   

Powell River, BC
PETS
PHONE: (604) 485-9878
FEATURED SPECIALS AND
SALES OF THE MONTH

BLOG
© Mother Nature 2023
CONTACT US

Privacy - Terms