Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 2: Taking care of your indoor hibiscus
• Method 2 of 2: Growing Hibiscus Outdoors

Hibiscus is a tropical shrub known for its vibrant funnel-shaped flowers. This plant loves warmth and usually does not tolerate frost, so you will need to grow hibiscus indoors if you live in cooler climates. When the shrub grows outdoors, its gorgeous flowers attract birds and butterflies. For plants to bloom from spring to late autumn, they must receive direct sunlight for several hours every day.

Steps

Method 1 of 2: Taking care of your indoor hibiscus

1. 1 Grow indoor hibiscus in loose loamy soil. It is not particularly picky about the soil, but it grows better in loose types such as loam and peat moss. Standard potting soil is usually well suited. You can create the perfect soil yourself by mixing 1 part garden loam, 1 part peat moss and 1 part fine sand or bark.
   • Also, an excellent soil mix for hibiscus would be a composition of 1 part coarse peat, 1 part compost bark and 1 part compost manure mixed with a small amount of expanded clay and vermiculite.
2. 2 Provide good drainage. Loamy soil itself provides a good drainage of excess water, but it is also very important that there are sufficient drainage holes in the hibiscus pot. To prevent the roots from rotting, the water must completely drain after watering. To do this, place a plastic tray under the pot.
   • Give the roots time to absorb the excess water, but the residue must be drained if there is still water in the pan after 12 hours.
3. 3 The soil should always remain moist, but not wet. These plants are very demanding to water and need a lot of water, especially during the warm months of intense flowering. Check the soil moisture by touch every day. The plant should be watered if the soil is dry, but do not if it is still moist and loose.
   • Excessive watering leads to root rot, so always check the moisture content of the soil before doing this.
4. 4 Water the hibiscus with warm water. Never use cold water to water your hibiscus. This shrub loves water temperatures around 35 ° C. Check the temperature with a thermometer or hand. Remember that the water temperature should also not exceed 35 ° C, as hibiscus does not like too warm water.
5. 5 Place the pot in a location where the plant will receive several hours of direct sunlight daily. Hibiscus plants are capable of growing in partial shade, but they will not bloom unless they receive at least 1–2 hours of direct sunlight daily. Place the hibiscus pot on a sunny windowsill. But so that the heated glass does not damage the leaves and flowers, the distance to the plant should be at least 2.5–5 centimeters.
   • With the right amount of sunlight, hibiscus blooms from spring to autumn.
6. 6 Fertilize the plants weekly during the growing season. Hibiscus blooms from spring to fall, and weekly feeding will ensure an intense bloom. Add a slow-decaying fertilizer (20-20-20 or 10-10-10) or a special hibiscus fertilizer around the base of the plant. Choose fertilizers with trace minerals of iron and magnesium that support growth and flowering.
   • You can also make a weak solution of a water-soluble fertilizer and add a little to the water each time you water.
   • Do not overdo it with feeding, because due to an excess of phosphorus, the plant may die.

Method 2 of 2: Growing Hibiscus Outdoors

1. 1 Plant the plant outdoors when the frost is over. The ideal temperature for flowering hibiscus is 24 ° C, although they can withstand both lower and higher temperatures. Plant plants only after the risk of frost has passed. The plant may die if the temperature drops below 7 ° C.
   • Hibiscus does not tolerate frost and low temperatures.
2. 2 Plant your hibiscus in a sunny location. In temperate climates, hibiscus can be planted in the spring, summer, or fall. They are tropical plants that prefer high humidity, warm temperatures and 8-10 hours of direct sunlight daily. They can grow in partial shade, but such conditions negatively affect the health and flowering of the plant.
3. 3 Make sure the soil is well drained before planting your hibiscus. Hibiscuses need soil with good drainage - poorly drained soil will cause root rot. To test how well the soil is draining, dig a hole 30 centimeters wide and 30 centimeters deep and fill it with water. The soil drains well, if the water is gone within 10 minutes. Soil drainage is insufficient if it takes longer.
   • To improve drainage, add a mixture of organic matter such as well-rotted manure, compost, or peat moss.
   • You don't need to add anything if the soil is already well drained.
4. 4 Dig a hole approximately the same depth as the root ball of the plant you are planting. Measure the root system of the seedling and dig a hole of the same depth. In width, the hole should be 2-3 times wider than the root system. Carefully remove the plant from the pot and place it in the hole. Add soil around the plant until the hole is half full. Fill well, let the water soak in and then fill the hole to the end with soil.
   • After planting in open ground, water the plant abundantly.
   • Plant your hibiscus 90 to 180 centimeters apart.
5. 5 Water the plant with warm water 3-4 times a week. Hibiscuses need plenty of water and like to keep the soil constantly moist, but not soggy. You can check soil moisture by touch. The plant needs to be watered if it appears dry and firm. If the soil is soft and moist, no watering is needed that day.
   • Check the water temperature by touch before watering. Hibiscus dislikes cold water, so it should be warm, but not hot.
   • Hibiscus needs at least 2.5 centimeters of water every week.
   • These plants love rainwater, but tap water is also great.
6. 6 During flowering, fertilize the hibiscus every two weeks. For best results, use a water-soluble or liquid fertilizer. The most beneficial are balanced fertilizers 10-10-10. Choose organic fertilizers that contain trace elements such as potassium, iron and magnesium. Apply fertilizer around the base of each plant every two weeks.
   • Do not use chemical fertilizers for hibiscus.
   • It is advisable to find fertilizers with a very low potassium content, such as 10-4-12 or 9-3-13.
   • Do not overdo it with feeding, because due to an excess of potassium, the plant will die.
7. 7 Check your plants weekly for aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites. It is these pests that create problems for hibiscus that is planted outdoors. Check plants weekly for signs of parasite infestation. If infestation is found, apply pest control oil or insecticidal soap to the affected area to treat the problem.
   • Do not use insecticides that contain the ingredient imidacloprid, as it will make spider mite infestations worse.
8. 8 Prune hibiscus in the fall. Pruning can improve their well-being and stimulate flowering. The plant should be pruned once a season in the fall, although if necessary, you can successfully do this in the spring. Pick 3-4 sturdy main branches on each plant and cut off about a third of the remaining branches. Remove all weak and twisted shoots.