I just potted four hibiscus plants. What do I need to know?

Nancy Turner
by Nancy Turner
I plan to bring them in for the winter, is a south window but no direct sunlight sufficient light? Do they need anything in particular to stay healthy in pots besides a all purpose fertilizer? Any requirements that I don't know about?
  8 answers
  • Linda Leath Linda Leath on Jun 15, 2017

    I have only grown hibiscus outside. They grow well in Southern CA.

    Yours should do well.

  • Pamela Rascoe Brown Pamela Rascoe Brown on Jun 15, 2017

    Yes, they should always be placed in a south or southwest facing window where it can get as much light as possible. The light can be supplemented with artificial lighting.

    • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jun 15, 2017

      Thanks Pamela. They are big floor to ceiling windows on the south side of our back room. Right now getting grow lights are out of the question because of the cost for the lights to cover the four plants. I figure by the time I bring them in they will cover at least eight feet across. How cool at night should it be for me to bring them in at least at night? I have them on casters and a board down the steps will make them easy to bring in the back room.

  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Jun 15, 2017

    During the winter months the hibiscus will drop there leaves. This is a natural occurrence.Cut back on the water and do not feed them until next year when the new growth begins.

  • Fiddledd224 Fiddledd224 on Jun 15, 2017

    Light


    The number one reason an indoor hibiscus fails to bloom is inadequate light. Sunlight not only helps the hibiscus set buds, but also gives it the ability to tolerate cooler temperatures. A sunny window is the best spot for the hibiscus. If you can’t provide that, artificial lights will work. Place the light 5 feet above the floor and allow it to run for 16 hours a day.

  • Pamela Rascoe Brown Pamela Rascoe Brown on Jun 15, 2017

    As I don't know the specific type hibiscus you have, it is hard to say. I live in the coastal area of south Alabama where the ones we have here can take a light frost or two but it's best to get them in before a real freeze - even down here. They are so beautiful but I am currently dragging a patio lemon and a skinny avocado tree that I grew from a seed in and out of my home when the seasons change. No room for the beautiful hibiscus. 😩

    • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jun 15, 2017

      All the stickers said was hibiscus bush pink or peach and that is not winter hardy and that is was grown in Wisconsin for a company in Florida. There were not other tags or anything for care that came with it. The peach ones have gorgeous full flowers that aren't single like most of the plants I have seen before. The pink has the single type flower, and it was a little sickly looking so I planted it first, the last two had to wait until I could get pots for them and plant them two days ago. All four now look healthy and seem to like the soil I put in the pots, all appear to have new buds. I don't have them in full sun all day, that is hard to come by with all the trees on my property and the ones surrounding it.

  • Pamela Rascoe Brown Pamela Rascoe Brown on Jun 15, 2017

    The more sun they have, the more blooms. They are really hardy summer plants. To bad they are tropical. Sounds like yours have a good home.

    • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jun 16, 2017

      I hope they do have a good home. If they survive the winter in the house it will be a miracle. I have a black thumb for houseplants. My hubby usually cares for them. I have my luck on any thing that is outdoors, even if it is in a pot. I have a Early girl bush tomato in a pot that is already about five feet high, has about four tomatoes and almost twenty bunches of flowers.

  • Nancy Eaton McEwen Nancy Eaton McEwen on Jun 16, 2017

    I bring mine in each winter in Virginia. I found my porch was too cold for them last year and will have to find a way to keep them warmer. They didn't die, but were slower to come back and bloom this year.

    • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jun 16, 2017

      Thank you Marcia. I think my backroom is warm enough, it is too cold in the winter to even think about using a porch that is unheated. I always want to be back in the south in the winter! Can't even think about going south as I help my 97 year old mother out with transportation, pre-cooked meals, etc.. She still lives on her own in a retirement community about a mile from me.

  • Pamela Rascoe Brown Pamela Rascoe Brown on Jun 16, 2017

    That sounds wonderful; and, tasty too.

    • Nancy Turner Nancy Turner on Jun 16, 2017

      Thank you so much. My mom appreciates it as she really doesn't like to cook anymore. As long as the rest of my kids don't show up for dinner I usually bring her enough food for four to five days and she found some frozen dinners she really likes, too. She does fine on her own with breakfast and lunch and has found a new love with hotdogs that she used to never buy until I brought her hot dogs and fries one time.