Growing Hibiscus Indoors

Bright, bold, big, and breath takingly beautiful! Hibiscus is a great indoor tropical plant for Pennsylvania. Learn the best way to care for these plants here! Be sure to check out more Ashcombe gardening tips by clicking here.

Hibiscus is rapidly becoming one of the most favored house plants because of its spectacular flowers and easy-care habit. Hybridizing has produced new varieties that are compact, glossy green, with unusual flower colors and huge flower size. Here are a few tips for growing hibiscus successfully:

LOCATION
Hibiscus appreciate 3-4 hours of direct sunlight a day. A window facing east is ideal.

SOIL MIX
Your hibiscus is growing in a high peat moss mixture when you purchase it. When re-potting, look for a mix that contains a high percentage of peat, and is well draining. Our Ashcombe potting soil is an excellent choice.

WATERING
Although hibiscus prefer to be moist, they will survive a few spells of dryness with no more consequences than a few yellowed leaves. When watering, be sure to soak the soil completely, and then let the plant approach dryness. Be careful not to over water, especially in the dark days of winter.

FERTILIZER
Give your hibiscus a solution of balanced house plant fertilizer at least once a month, or every two weeks while it is flowering. A slow release pelleted fertilizer like Osmocote will keep the plant fertilized for 3-4 months. If the leaves start to turn yellow, apply a high-nitrogen fertilizer to green them up again.

PRUNING
Cutting back your hibiscus may be done any time the plant is actively growing, but spring is the best time. You may cut your plant down to 6-8 inches from the base and it will grow out again in a short time.

INDOOR TEMPERATURES
To keep your hibiscus actively growing, it is recommended that they be located in a room with mid 60’s night temperatures, and 70°F. during the day. If it is cooler, the plant may go through a rest period where it does not need as much fertilizer or water. It will start actively growing again in the spring, when outdoor temperatures moderate.

Hibiscus can be moved outdoors over the summer to grace your patio or living space. Do not put them directly into the sun when bringing them outdoors or they may ‘sunburn.’ If the plants have become too tall, cut them back when you bring them outside. In a short time, they will be growing and flowering once again. Bring them back indoors before the temperature becomes noticeable cooler at night – late August is good. Be sure to check the lush growth and the undersides of the leaves for plant pests. A preventative spraying with a house plant insecticide is a good idea for plants that summer ‑outside.

PROPAGATION
May be done with stem cuttings.