Content

• Steps
• Part 1 of 3: Winterizing a Hibiscus Planted in the Ground
• Part 2 of 3: Preparing Potted Hibiscus for Winter
• Part 3 of 3: Taking care of your hibiscus indoors
• Tips

It is quite easy to prepare frost-resistant hibiscus for winter; in a temperate climate, these plants, with proper care, can remain outdoors all year round. However, thermophilic hibiscus species should be transferred for winter indoors in all but the warmest regions of the country. Start with step 1 to learn how to winterize cold-hardy and heat-loving hibiscus varieties.

Steps

Part 1 of 3: Winterizing a Hibiscus Planted in the Ground

1. 1 Determine which variety your hibiscus belongs to. Before making winter plans for your hibiscus, it is important to determine if it is a hardy or thermophilic species. Cold-hardy species can survive the winter outdoors in temperate zones (see tips for more information), but thermophilic species need to be potted and relocated indoors once temperatures drop below 10 degrees Celsius.
   • Heat-loving varieties usually have dark, shiny leaves and small flowers. Their flowers are most often two-colored, but some varieties have monochromatic flowers.A drop in temperature below -3 degrees Celsius causes the death of these plants.
   • Cold-hardy hibiscus varieties have dense, dull leaves and huge flowers. They are more resistant to low temperatures than thermophilic varieties.
2. 2 Feed your hibiscus potash in late fall / early winter, October or November to stimulate abundant flowering the following year.
   • Do not feed the plants with nitrogen fertilizers during this time of year - the nitrogen will stimulate new foliage growth, which will be damaged in cold weather or fall off during the winter.
3. 3 Maintain your hibiscus throughout the fall months. If it is not raining, water the hibiscus once every one to two weeks. Remove any fallen leaves and other debris from the stems to prevent disease.
   • These few extra steps in the fall will help them recover in the spring with lush green foliage and beautiful flowers.
   • After you mulch the soil, you should no longer do this.
4. 4 Apply a thick layer of mulch to the soil around the plant. A thick layer of mulching material will protect the hibiscus from sudden changes in temperature. Adding a layer of compost under the mulch can also help protect these plants.
   • Place a layer of mulching material 5-8 centimeters thick over the root zone, but leave the space around the stems free of mulch
   • If you've mulched the soil before. Rake the old mulch with a rake and put a new one so that its layer is 5-8 centimeters.
5. 5 Protect your hibiscus from frost. The effects of low temperatures can be negated by using a cloth. In areas with warm winters, you can protect plants from cold temperatures by hanging an electric Christmas tree garland on the plant.
   • You can use fabric and garland together for frost protection, but in warmer areas, you can do just a garland.
6. 6 Transfer the heat-loving hibiscus to a pot. If you are planting a thermophilic hibiscus in the ground, you should plant it in a large pot so it can winter indoors. Use potting soil when replanting the plant, do not take it from the garden.
   • To dig up a hibiscus, dig in the bush with a shovel 15-20 centimeters from the stems to free the root. Then lift it up at the base of the shovel.

Part 2 of 3: Preparing Potted Hibiscus for Winter

1. 1 Check the hibiscus for any signs of infestation. Gardeners should carefully check their hibiscus for any sign of insects several days before temperatures begin to drop.
   • If harmful insects are found, gardeners should apply a suitable pesticide. It is best to do this a few days before moving the hibiscus indoors, especially if there are family members who are prone to allergies.
2. 2 Rinse the plant before replanting it indoors. It is necessary to rinse the plant several times before bringing it indoors. This will help get rid of any small insects that may be lurking in the foliage, as well as any dirt or pollen that may be on the leaves.
   • Wipe down the hibiscus pot with a damp cloth to help reduce the amount of dirt and allergens brought in.
3. 3 Fertilize the plant. Add hibiscus fertilizer to the plant pot before moving it indoors. This will help the plant recover faster in the spring.
4. 4 Prune the hibiscus to make it more suitable for the room. Plants that are too large may need to be pruned before winter. Hibiscuses tend to tolerate pruning well, and reshaping shouldn't be a problem.
   • Since hibiscus flowers develop on the side shoots, proper pruning will help them bloom more abundantly the following spring and summer.
   • For even more flowers, cut off the tips of the new stems after they are 20 centimeters long and again when they are 30 centimeters long.This pinching promotes the formation of side shoots, as a result of which you will receive more new stems and flowers.

Part 3 of 3: Taking care of your hibiscus indoors

1. 1 Check out the care instructions for different types of hibiscus. After the hibiscus is moved indoors for the winter, it will need proper care. Gardeners are advised to care for each type of plant individually, and not follow general guidelines.
   • However, if the plant was a gift from friends, this article will provide some tips that apply to most hibiscus plants.
2. 2 Provide warmth and light to the hibiscus. Hibiscus needs warmth and light to thrive indoors. Ideally, these plants should be placed near a window.
   • For plants that spend the winter in a room with no windows or low light, you can put a lamp. However, you must keep the lamp far enough away from the plants to avoid burning them.
   • If you keep hibiscus in utility rooms, you will probably need a heater to keep them warm. Even a small heater will do.
3. 3 Keep the temperature above 13 degrees Celsius if possible. Heat-loving plants usually hibernate well if the temperature is maintained at 13-15 degrees Celsius. However, in each specific case, you need to focus on the needs of a particular type of plant.
4. 4 Don't let the sheet dry out. Direct sunlight is recommended for most hibiscus species, but some require slightly less light. If the leaves on the plant begin to dry, you need to move it to an area with limited lighting.
5. 5 Make sure the soil is moist. Water the hibiscus according to your strain's needs. For example:
   • In winter, the Chinese rose (hibiscus of the genus Sinensis) needs to be watered enough to keep the soil from drying out, while the hibiscus of the Mallow variety (Hibiscus moscheutos) will require a moderate level of moisture.
   • Growers should be aware that Mallow types do not tolerate a lack of moisture.

Tips

• It should be remembered that frost-hardy hibiscus can survive the winter outdoors in warm and temperate climates, but in areas with cold winters, they will certainly die. Heat-loving plants can only grow outdoors in summer, but in winter they must be transferred indoors. Check the recommendations for your particular hibiscus strain and assess the care it needs to survive the winter in your area.