Hibiscus
A tropical plant: indoors in winter, outdoors only in the warm months, and never allowed to dry out while in bud.
Care
Bright light with some direct sun; outdoors in summer in a warm, sheltered spot.
Medium-high in summer — it drops buds if it dries out; much less in winter.
Fertile, well-drained compost.
Cut back by up to a third in late winter or early spring to keep it bushy; it flowers on new growth.
A high-potash liquid feed every week or two from spring to autumn.
Softwood or semi-ripe cuttings in spring and summer with bottom heat.
Month by month
Months change with the climate: in southern Italy tomatoes go out two months earlier than in England.
- MarchCut back by up to a third to keep it compact. how ›
- JuneCan summer outdoors in a warm, sheltered spot once nights are above 12°C. how ›
- SeptemberBring back inside before nights cool. how ›
- DecemberWater sparingly in winter, in a bright room above 13°C. how ›
Months based on climate: UK. Your choice stays on this device.
- MarchCut back by up to a third to keep it compact. how ›
- MayCan summer outdoors in a warm, sheltered spot once nights are above 12°C. how ›
- SeptemberBring back inside before nights cool. how ›
- DecemberWater sparingly in winter, in a bright room above 13°C. how ›
Months based on climate: Northern Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryCut back by up to a third to keep it compact. how ›
- MayCan summer outdoors in a warm, sheltered spot once nights are above 12°C. how ›
- OctoberBring back inside before nights cool. how ›
- DecemberWater sparingly in winter, in a bright room above 13°C. how ›
Months based on climate: Central Italy. Your choice stays on this device.
- FebruaryCut back by up to a third to keep it compact. how ›
- AprilCan summer outdoors in a warm, sheltered spot once nights are above 12°C. how ›
- OctoberBring back inside before nights cool. how ›
- DecemberWater sparingly in winter, in a bright room above 13°C. how ›
Months based on climate: Southern Italy and islands. Your choice stays on this device.
Common problems
How to spot it. Buds yellow and fall before opening.
What to do. Dry compost, a cold draught or a move; keep watering and position steady.
How to spot it. On shoot tips and under leaves.
What to do. Wash off; yellow sticky traps indoors.
How to spot it. Leaves yellow and drop.
What to do. Usually over- or underwatering, or cold.
Questions
Hibiscus: is it hardy?
H1b: Tender, needs above 10°C. It survives above 10 °C.
Can it grow in a pot?
Yes — grown in pots in cool climates.
Hibiscus: when do you prune it?
Cut back by up to a third in late winter or early spring to keep it bushy; it flowers on new growth. In the calendar for UK, pruning falls in March.
Hibiscus: when does it flower?
In the climate of UK it flowers in May–October.
When do you feed it?
A high-potash liquid feed every week or two from spring to autumn. Feeding months, UK: April–September.