Authored by Kate Beswick in Gardening
Published on 10-07-2009
Hibiscus plants have a treasured place in many people’s hearts. They have a stunning look that is truly like no other bloom out there! But because they’re tropical plants, many people think that growing them involves a lot of care and maintenance. Others think that the cold climate they live in won’t allow them to enjoy the beauty of the hibiscus. Neither of these things are true and in fact, hibiscus plants are pretty easy to maintain. So anyone can enjoy the tropical beauty right in their home!
Hibiscus plants are tropical plants so they do need to be kept warm. That being said, they don’t need to constantly bake under the sun or under a heat lamp. Hibiscus plants will thrive best in temperatures between sixty and ninety degrees Fahrenheit. This means that even in cooler climates, hibiscus plants can be kept outside, at least in the summer months. However, they are quite intolerant of anything below the freezing point. Because of this, they should be potted and brought inside during the cooler weather.
When potting hibiscus plants, they do best in pots that keep them fairly cozy and snug. The roots should almost be touching the sides of the pot. However, the roots should not be overcrowded in the pot. Hibiscus plants also need very good drainage. The bottoms of pots should always have mesh holes in them with trays to catch overflow.
Watering hibiscus plants is very easy as well. During the summer months these plants need almost constant watering. This is especially true if they are blooming away in the backyard and sitting under the hot sun all day. During the summer months, hibiscus plants will probably need a good soak every day. When the weather turns a little cooler, hibiscus plants won’t need nearly as much water. Too much watering actually will easily kill hibiscus plants. Because of this, during the winter months hibiscus plants should only be watered when the soil is dry to the touch.
How much fertilizer a hibiscus plant needs is very similar to how much water it will need. During the summer months these plants need to be fertilized with high potassium fertilizer quite regularly. Using fertilizers that come in sprays or other liquid forms will need to be applied about once a week during the summer. Slow-release fertilizers are also available that allow the fertilizer to be distributed throughout an entire month. This is a great way to ensure that your hibiscus is getting the nutrients it needs without you having to do a ton of work!
Composting is a great way to fertilize hibiscus plants. When using compost it’s important to remember that it needs to high-potassium for hibiscus plants. During the winter months hibiscus plants don’t need any fertilizer at all.
Hibiscus plants don’t need virtually any maintenance during the winter months. Even during the summer months, the most they need is a lot of water and food. Hibiscus plants are so easy to care for that now everyone truly can enjoy the stunning beauty of hibiscus plants!
