Overwintering hibiscus flora indoors is easier than you might guess , and there are 3 easy way to do it .
In this pathfinder , I ’ll show you how to keep a hibiscus over the winter , and share the three most effective method to do it so that you could savor them all twelvemonth long .
tropic hibiscus is one of my favorite plant to overwinter inside . It ’s really dim-witted to do , and well worth the effort to redeem them .
Getting my hibiscus ready to overwinter indoors
It ’s a huge money saver too , since they are expensive to bribe every year . So , for me it ’s a no - brainer to bring them in the house in spill , and move them back outside every spring .
Another reason I bring them indoors is because they ’ll blossom all winter long in a sunny window . The shining , cheery flush are a welcome deal when it ’s freezing cold alfresco .
If you have a tropical hibiscus in your summer containers , and you ’re wondering what to do with it in wintertime to keep it alive , then this article is for you .
Table of subject matter
Is Hibiscus Annual Or Perennial?
Though they ’re sold at the garden center as annuals , tropic hibiscus are actually tender perennials that can well be overwintered indoors .
The daring of the one you have depends on both the species and the climate you live on in . There are a few hardier varieties that can live outdoors down to zone 4 .
But the ones sold in the tropical section wo n’t pull round outdoors in cold climates . They ’re only intrepid in zones 10 and above .
Methods Of Overwintering Hibiscus
There are three way to overwinter hibiscus . Choose your favored method or the one that makes the most sense to you .
How To Overwinter Tropical Hibiscus
In this part , I ’ll discover the three methods of overwintering hibiscus in detail . If you ’ve never tried it , then I suggest select the technique that sounds most likable to you , or experimentation with a few of them .
Related Post : How To Overwinter Plants : The Complete Guide
1. Keeping Hibiscus As A Houseplant Through Winter
If your hibiscus is in a pot , then it ’s easy to bring it indoors and keep it awake as a houseplant over the wintertime .
They are n’t too particular , and do n’t require much more care than your other houseplants . Just check that to bring them in before the temperature drops below 60 ° atomic number 9 outside .
Depending on its size and the amount of space you have , you might desire to veer it back first . you’re able to prune the branches by as much as one-half without harm it .
Once in spite of appearance , place it a warm berth near a cheery window . It ’s common for them to go into a bite of shock absorber after moving them in .
Some of the leaves and flower bud may turn yellow and send away off . This is normal , it ’s just align to the sudden change in environment . It should pop back in a few weeks .
2. Overwintering A Dormant Hibiscus
Some people get it much easier to overwinter a dormant hibiscus , since you do n’t have to concern about caring for a live plant .
If you require to try this , you may either wait until it naturally goes into hibernation on its own , or you may force it . Cool temperatures and drought are the main triggers .
To force quiescence , trim the amount you water in the fall , and leave it outside until it mother down to 50 ° farad . It will probably start out drop leave and flowers , which is completely normal .
Once it generate too stale out , move it to a dark location inside the house . As it goes completely dormant , the relief of the leaves will finally drop off .
Keep your dormant hibiscus in a dark and cool room through the wintertime , like your cellar or a closet , and check on it once a calendar month .
water supply it very sparingly , and give it just enough to keep the dirt from becoming osseous tissue dry .
3. Wintering The Cuttings Indoors
If you do n’t have the space for keeping or storing a hibiscus , you’re able to try overwintering some cutting off instead .
Take your cuttings before it pose below 60 ° F outside for the beneficial result . They should be about 4 ” long and include several leaves .
Remove the bottom farewell and place the stems into a container of water . Over time , they should develop root . Once they do , you may either leave them in the water , or pot them up infresh soil .
If you want to keep them in water , refresh it if it get low-down or as it evaporates . The water should always be above the antecedent so that they do n’t dry out .
Bringing Hibiscus Indoors For Winter
Whichever method you decide to use for overwintering hibiscus , it ’s important to bring them indoors at the right clock time . Here ’s how to do it so they ’ll have no job pull through until spring .
When To Bring Hibiscus Inside
If you design to keep live plant or cuttings , then bring them inside before the temperature drops below 60 ° F . This usually hap several weeks before your middling first frost date in the pin .
Otherwise , if you desire to force dormancy , then leave it outdoors until it gets down to 50 ° F . Always make trusted to bring them in before the first hoarfrost or they may not survive .
How To Bring Hibiscus In For Winter
you may use that same method for the cut , or do it inside . I soak mine in the sump filled with water and a slight bit ofmild liquid soapfor 10 minutes , then rinse them well .
Once you ’re done cleaning it , choose a location for it before bringing it in so you do n’t have to move it again . Moving it around too much can cause further strain , which means it may drop more of its leaves .
Hibiscus Winter Care Tips
Though it ’s pretty easy to winter a live hibiscus , they will require some care to keep them thriving . They need adequate twinkle and water , and you might also have to do some glitch control .
Light Requirements
When you winter a potted hibiscus indoors , give it as much sunniness as you’re able to , such as in front of a Confederacy - facing windowpane . Ideally it should meet at least 6 time of day of rude sun a Clarence Day .
If you do n’t have a sunny window , then you could useartificial lightsinstead . In that case , ready them on atimerfor about 16 hours a day .
When they get enough brightness , they will quell more compact , and might even flower for you . Otherwise , they can start to get improbable or leggy .
Watering In Winter
It ’s best to keep the soil equally moist through the winter , and never allow it to dry out entirely . If they get too dry , they will start to sag and might even drop some leafage .
Take great charge not to overwater though , as that can do root rot and yellow leave . If you fight to get it just right , habituate asoil wet gauge .
They care humidity too , so you could also mist the leaves with lukewarm weewee once in a while , or go ahumidifiernearby .
Controlling Bugs
One of the biggest challenge of overwintering hibiscus indoors is microbe . Mine are prostrate to being round by whitefly , but other pest can also be a trouble .
So it ’s a good idea to match yours regularly for signs of pests . If you rule any , set about intervention immediately to avoid infesting your other houseplant .
If yours becomes infested with flying dirt ball , hang ayellow steamy trapfrom one of the branch to catch the adults .
For bugs on the leave , merge 1 teaspoon ofmild liquid soapper 1 cubic decimetre of water supply , or useorganic insecticidal soapto wash and spray the leaves . Neem oilis also very good to control bugs .
Get all the details about how to acquire them in my everlasting care guide .
Bringing Hibiscus Out Of Dormancy
If you choose to let your hibiscus go dormant during the wintertime , come after these tips to come alive it up and get it ready to institute back outside in the spring .
you could find out even more by reading myguide to bringing a plant out of dormancy .
When To Start Waking It Up
you could start to ignite up your hibernating hibiscus sometime in previous winter . It ’s best to commence breaking hibernation a month or two before your last hoarfrost day of the month .
That way you ’ll give it enough fourth dimension to awake up slowly , and it will have plenty of meter to get ready for liveliness back outside . Here in MN , I bug out this mental process around February or March .
If you attempt to wake it up too fast , you could end up bolt down your works , so it ’s important to take your time . Keep in mind that it can take several weeks for them to show signs of life .
How To Break Dormancy
Start by moving your sleeping hibiscus out of the night and lay it in a promising elbow room . Do n’t put it in lineal sunlight though , filtered lighting is idealistic .
Give it enough water to drizzle the land , but do n’t overdo it . Over the next few weeks , keep the territory evenly moist and leave it where it is until you see the first Modern leaf bud .
Once that happens , give it a light source dosage ( 1/4 forte ) ofliquid fertilizerorcompost tea . Addingslow - release granuleswill also help advance sizable young growth .
Moving Hibiscus Back Outside After Winter
When To Put Hibiscus Back Outside
It ’s safe to put your hibiscus back outside in the bound when the overnight temperature quell above 60 ° degree Fahrenheit . I recommend waiting until after your last frost date to be good .
If a late hoar is in the forecast , then verify to move it either back inside the business firm , or put it into the garage to protect it .
How To Move It Outside
Be careful when you bring your hibiscus alfresco . They need to be easy acclimated to dwell back outdoors again .
Place it in a funny placement at first , otherwise the direct sunshine can burn their tender wintertime leave . Move them nigher to a sunny spot each day for 10 day .
If you see any chocolate-brown leave or other preindication of sunburn , move them back into the tad . After about two hebdomad they should be ready to sit down in their terminal spot with plenty of direct sunshine .
Overwintering Hibiscus FAQs
Can I overwinter hibiscus in the garage?
you’re able to overwinter hibiscus in the garage as long as the temperature does n’t souse below 50 ° F . If it ’s not dormant , verify to either order it near a window or use a grow lightness .
Can I overwinter a hibiscus in the basement?
Yes , you may overwinter a hibiscus in the basement , it ’s the everlasting berth to store a inactive plant . you could even keep a live flora in your basement , as long as there ’s a sunny window or you use a grow twinkle .
How do you overwinter a potted hibiscus?
you could overwinter a potted hibiscus as either a live plant or in its dormant state . If you want to keep it alert , then put it near a sunny windowpane or summate a grow light . Otherwise , slow down on watering and let it go dormant , then place it in a cool , dark room through the winter .
Does hibiscus lose its leaves in winter?
Yes , a hibiscus will mislay some of its leave in the wintertime . If it go dormant it will turn a loss almost all of them .
Can I leave my hibiscus plant outside over winter?
you’re able to leave your hibiscus out of doors over winter if it is dauntless in your climate . Otherwise you must bring it within in order for it to come through .
Do hibiscus bloom in winter?
Your hibiscus can flower in wintertime if you care for it correctly . Give it at least 6 minute of raw sunlight , or 12 - 16 minute of artificial light every day .
winter hibiscus is prosperous enough for even beginners , and it ’s fun too . It can preserve you time and money next fountain , and you may even get to enjoy their showy flower all winter long .
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