Title: Keeping Your Potted Hibiscus Thriving Through Winter
Tropical hibiscus, a magnificent plant known for its high flower power, thrives in containers but shies away from cold weather. If you're residing in areas where temperatures dip below freezing, it's crucial to bring your container-grown hibiscus indoors during the winter. Thankfully, keeping these beauties content during the colder seasons in your home is a manageable task. Here's a breakdown of what you need to know.
Winter Care for Tropical Hibiscus
If you've been nurturing a potted hibiscus outside in the summer, you've already made a great start at ensuring its survival indoors during winter. When it comes to caring for your tropical hibiscus in your living space, remember these key points:
Lighting
Tropical hibiscus flourish best in full sunlight. However, providing ample light indoors can be a challenge. At the very least, position your hibiscus near a draft-free south or west-facing window that gets plenty of sunlight even during winter. If you live in the North, where sunlight intensity may diminish in the winter, supplement with a grow light in the morning and evenings to keep your plant happy.
Soil Moisture
Just like outside, tropical hibiscus like moist soil, but not soaked. Adequate drainage is crucial, particularly when bringing plants inside where moisture may pool in unexpected places. If you're missing a large saucer for your plant's pot, try improvising with an aluminum roasting tray or shallow plastic storage bin.
Your hibiscus' growth rate will slow down during winter, especially when the light isn't as abundant. With reduced growth, your hibiscus will consume less water and, consequently, need to be watered less frequently than in the summer. Check the soil's moisture level by inserting your finger into the soil up to its full depth. It should feel damp but never soggy.
Fertilizer
Tropical hibiscus appreciate a good dose of fertilizer during their summer months. However, it's important to reduce fertilizer usage in the winter since the plant isn't growing as vigorously.
Once autumn sets in, decrease your use of fertilizer. Your hibiscus won't need anything additional unless a nutrient deficiency becomes apparent. When the weather warms enough in the spring to allow your hibiscus to return outdoors, return to your regular fertilizing routine.
Quarantining
If you have other houseplants, you might want to place your tropical hibiscus in quarantine for a few weeks before setting it near your other plants. This helps to prevent the transfer of pests or diseases from your newly brought-in plant to your existing indoor garden.
If you have room, keep your hibiscus in a separate space, even if the lighting isn't ideal. After a week, as long as your plant shows no signs of concern, you can introduce it to your other plants and find it a more comfortable spot.
Watch for Pests
Help your hibiscus stay healthy by keeping an eye out for pests. Houseplants often face greater vulnerability to pests and diseases in the colder, more confined indoor environment. Scout your plant weekly, looking for common pests like spider mites, aphids, and thrips. For treatment, use horticultural oil or insecticidal soap, or clean the plant using a strong spray of water.
Pruning
If your tropical hibiscus starts to elongate or produce new branches and shoots during winter, don't hesitate to prune it. Pruning won't negatively impact flowering, as hibiscus bloom on new wood.
Transitioning Outdoors in Spring
When spring rolls around, your hibiscus will be eager to soak in the sun. Hardening off your plant gradually by slowly exposing it to outdoor conditions is essential to prepare it for its return to the outdoors. Begin by placing your hibiscus outdoors in a spot without direct sunlight for an hour each day, gradually increasing its exposure to the sun for ten days.
Wait until nighttime temperatures remain consistently above 50°F (10°C) before returning your hibiscus outdoors permanently. Revisit your regular summer watering and fertilizing routines as your plant gets back to full strength outdoors.
- To ensure the survival of your tropical hibiscus during winter, you can maintain it indoors by planting it in 'Shrubs Vines' or a suitable pot, providing it with adequate sunlight, and ensuring proper soil moisture and drainage.
- When transitioning your tropical hibiscus from summer outdoors to indoor winter care, 'BHG' recommends placing it near a south or west-facing window that gets plenty of sunlight, using a grow light if needed, and ensuring the soil moist but not soggy.
- Proper 'Gardening' care for your tropical hibiscus includes fertilizing it less in winter, as its growth rate slows down, and quarantining it from other houseplants to prevent the transfer of pests or diseases.
