Content

• Steps

Hibiscus is a tropical shrub with large flowers with vibrant colors. This plant prefers warm temperatures and generally won't survive frost - if you live in a cold climate, plant it in a pot. When growing outdoors, eye-catching colorful hibiscus flowers often attract hummingbirds and butterflies. Make sure your plant receives direct sunlight for many hours each day for it to bloom from spring through fall.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Take care of an indoor hibiscus

1. 

   Plant hibiscus in pots with light soil and humus. Hibiscus is not too picky, but they prefer loose soil like humus and mud moss. You can use regular potting soil in bags or mix your own good quality planting soil with 1 part garden humus, 1 part mud moss and 1 part fine sand or bark.
   • A mixture of 1 part coarse peat, 1 part bark humus and one part decaying manure with a little bit of gravel and vermiculite is also an excellent hibiscus soil.

2. 

   
   
   Make sure the pot is well-drained. Humus is inherently draining, but equally important is the hibiscus potted plant must also have plenty of drainage holes. The watering plants should be drained out of the pot to prevent root rot. After watering the plant, be careful to watch the water run out of the holes in the bottom of the pot into the water collecting tray below.
   • Wait for the roots to drain any excess water, but be sure to empty it if water remains in the tray after 12 hours.

3. 

   
   
   Keep the soil moist but not soaking wet. Hibiscus needs a lot of water, especially during the hottest months when it is blooming. You should check the humidity every day by touching the topsoil.If the soil is dry, the plant is in need of water. You do not need to water if the soil is damp or slightly soft.
   • The roots can rot if over-watered, so you should always check the soil before watering.

4. 

   
   
   Use warm water to water the plants. Never water a hibiscus with cold water. This plant loves water at about 35 degrees Celsius. You can use a thermometer or dip your hands in the water to check the temperature before watering the plant. Avoid using water hotter than 35 degrees Celsius, as hibiscus also does not like water that is too warm.

5. 

   Place the plant in direct sunlight for several hours a day. Hibiscus still thrives in areas where there is no direct sunlight, but they will not bloom without direct sunlight for at least 1-2 hours a day. Keep the plants in a sunny window, but be sure to place them 2.5 to 5 cm from the glass doors, as hot glass can damage leaves and flowers.
   • When there is enough sunlight, the hibiscus will bloom from spring through autumn.

6. 

   Fertilize the plants weekly throughout the growing season. Hibiscus blooms from spring to fall, and weekly fertilization will help the flowers bloom. You can apply a slow release fertilizer (like 20-20-20 or 10-10-10) or a hibiscus-specific formula. Look for a fertilizer with trace elements such as iron and magnesium to promote budding and blooming.
   • You can also make a dilute solution of a water-soluble fertilizer (half strength or less) and apply a small amount to the plant each time you water.
   • Avoid overfertilizing, as too high phosphorus can kill plants.
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Method 2 of 2: Planting a hibiscus outdoors

1. 

   Plant trees when there is no longer the risk of frost. The best temperature for hibiscus to bloom is 24 degrees Celsius, although it can tolerate warmer or colder temperatures. Make sure there are no more frosts after planting. Plants may fail to recover if the temperature drops below 7 degrees Celsius.
   • Hibiscus cannot survive frost or freezing temperatures.

2. 

   Plant in a place with full sun. You can plant hibiscus outdoors in spring, summer, or autumn in temperate climates. As a tropical plant, hibiscus prefers a warm, humid environment with 5-10 hours in direct sunlight every day. While a hibiscus can still survive in partially shaded areas, the plant will be less lush and much less blooming.

3. 

   Make sure the soil is well drained before planting. Hibiscus needs well-drained soil to thrive, and soils with poor drainage will cause root rot. To test the soil drainage, you can dig a hole about 30 cm wide by 30 cm deep and fill the hole with water. If the soil absorbs water in 10 minutes or faster, the soil is draining well. If it takes an hour or more to drain, the soil has poor drainage.
   • To improve drainage, you can mix organic materials like compost, compost or mud moss into the soil.
   • You do not need any additional supplements if the soil is well drained.

4. 

   Dig a hole as deep as the plant's root ball. Check the size of the roots, then dig a hole of the same depth. The soil hole should be at least 2 or 3 times larger than the root ball. Gently remove the plant from the pot and place it in the hole you just dug. Fill the roots of the plant with soil until it is half full. Water well and let the water drain, then cover the rest with soil.
   • Water well after planting.
   • Plant hibiscus plants about 90 cm - 180 cm apart.

5. 

   Water the plants 3-4 times per week with warm water. Hibiscus needs a lot of water and prefers moist soil but never gets soaked. You can check soil moisture by touching the soil. If the soil is dry and loose, the plants need water. If the soil is soft and damp to the touch, you don't need to water the plant that day.
   • Check the water before watering the plants. Hibiscus does not like cold water, so use warm water, but remember not to be hot.
   • Hibiscus should be watered with a minimum of about 2.5 cm per week.
   • This plant likes rainwater, but you can use tap water as well.

6. 

   Fertilize the plants every 2 weeks during the blooming season. Use a water-soluble fertilizer or a liquid fertilizer for optimal results. A 10-10-10 balanced fertilizer is the right kind. You should also choose organic fertilizers with trace elements such as potassium, iron, and magnesium. Apply to each stump every 2 weeks.
   • Do not use chemical fertilizers to fertilize hibiscus plants.
   • If you can find a fertilizer with a very low phosphorus content, such as 10-4-12 or 9-3-13, use that fertilizer.
   • Avoid over fertilizing, as too high phosphorus content can kill plants.

7. 

   Check your plants weekly for aphids, white flies and red spiders, if any. These pests can become a problem with the hibiscus planted. Check the plant weekly for signs of infection. If you find pests, you can use garden oil or insecticide soap.
   • Avoid insecticides that contain imidacloprid, as this can make the red spider more infectious.

8. 

   Pruning trees in the fall. Pruning will help the plant stay healthy and stimulate blooming. Plants should be pruned once in the fall, although you can still prune in spring if necessary. Keep 3-4 main branches per tree and cut off about 1/3 of the remaining branches. Eliminate all weak buds and transverse branches. advertisement