Asked on Sep 28, 2015

Need to pot a hibiscus

Idyllic Pursuit
by Idyllic Pursuit
I'm in hardiness zone 4B and planted our tropical hibiscus in the ground before actually thinking about it.
I know I've got to bring it inside asap...what's the best way to do it without destroying the roots?
It's so beautiful!
  11 answers
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 28, 2015
    Dig around the plant until the root ball is visible,once you see the diameter dig dig enough as not to disturb the roots. Lift out and repot in fresh soil. Lightly water. Spray for insects and bring this in the house . Place in a bright location.over wintering hibiscus indoors is some way of a challenge. Becareful not to over water, keep the soil moist but not saturated. Another point leaf dropage is very common and not an alarm of concern Good Luck.
  • Nadia Sammartino Sims Nadia Sammartino Sims on Sep 28, 2015
    If it is a hearty Hibiscus you can leave it out. it will die back and return in summer. Otherwise, what Janet said. :) Don't know how familiar you are with gardening, so don't panic over losing a few small roots. If the plant looks kinda sad for a while it could be in shock. Don't over water thinking that will help. It should perk up after a while.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 28, 2015
    Nadia look at the picture clearly it is not hardy. Hardy hibiscus have different leaves and flowers.
  • Cathy Spiller Cathy Spiller on Sep 28, 2015
    Janet is right...this is a tropical hibiscus. I accidentally bought some of the hardy kind and wish they were in Iowa with our Idyllic Pursuit blogger who has this tropical hibiscus. She could plant them in the ground, let them die back in winter and come back in summer and have plate sized blooms. I live in Galveston, TX, an island off the SE Texas coast, and the tropicals grow great here, the hardy kind not so much because they die back in the heat! Janet has given you the correct answer.
  • TeeVeeCee TeeVeeCee on Sep 29, 2015
    I agree with Nadia.. Looks like a hearty plant, which seems to enjoy being in the ground. U could take several soft wood cuttings and try propagating it. Those u cud pot inside. I wouldn't disturb this beautiful robust shrub just yet
  • Judithcausey Judithcausey on Sep 29, 2015
    I've been bringing mine in for 10-plus years. I dig around the periphery of the plant & down about a foot. Squish that all into a smaller container. I've used a planter, bucket or just a plastic carrier. Keep warm & sunny. To keep mine strong, I cut them back to 8" in Jan/Feb (it really hurts to see my beautiful plant puny), but by April/May, it's ready to go out again & give you enjoyment all summer. Then, you could keep it as a container plant which precludes your having to dig it up next winter.
  • Janice B. Janice B. on Sep 29, 2015
    http://www.trop-hibiscus.com/gindr.html This article gives you good advice on keeping your hibiscus healthy. If you transplant it to a large container, expect transplant shock. It will look rough for a while. Include perlite in your soil mix to encourage good drainage. If you have a plant "grow" light, use it, as they like full sun. Good luck.
  • 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) 360 Sod (Donna Dixson) on Sep 29, 2015
    Before you bring it in, spray it down good with some water, getting the underside of the leaves. That will help knock down any bug population that might be on the plant. Indoors it will be more susceptible to bugs and diseases so be sure to keep a diligent watch especially underneath the leaves and the crotches where the leaves connect to the stems.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Sep 29, 2015
    The spraying for insects was already mentioned in my response.
  • Kathy Bitzan Kathy Bitzan on Sep 29, 2015
    All good advice, I wish we could see all the answers though, I can only see 5. I would like to have this plant here in zone 8 I think. I always enjoy them at my daughters in CA where they really grow great. I was so disappointed at her one apartment complex when they cut this beautiful red one down.
    • See 2 previous
    • Cathy Spiller Cathy Spiller on Oct 01, 2015
      @Kathy Bitzan And if it's too cold to plant them in the ground, put them in pots and move them into the garage for the winter...a little water now and again and cover them if the garage air will freeze...you should have an easy time. Good luck!
  • Theresa Grilliot Hampton Theresa Grilliot Hampton on Sep 29, 2015
    do you have to dig up your hibicus every year, i live in zone 5
    • Cathy Spiller Cathy Spiller on Sep 30, 2015
      @Theresa Grilliot Hampton Theresa, I would only plant hardy hibiscus there and you still might have to dig them up. In zone 7 I had hardy hibiscus and they were fine. But in zone 5? I'm thinking that a bale of straw over them in the winter, or at least 3-4 inches of straw.