Overwintering Tropical Hibiscus

Overwintering tropical hibiscus

Cut the perennial hibiscus back in late winter or early spring. Leave 6 inches of stem intact to mark its location and protect this late to emerge plant from accidental digging.

Can you winter tropical hibiscus indoors?

Keeping Hibiscus Inside Over Winter First off, if you live in an area where temperatures stay below 50F (10C) for more than brief periods, you'll need to bring your hibiscus indoors to save it over winter. These are tropical plants and don't survive exposure to freezing temperatures.

Does tropical hibiscus go dormant in winter?

Tropical hibiscus normally drop their leaves after a move indoors. So don't panic if yours lose leaves. They've simply become dormant for winter. During their dormancy, wait for their potting medium to dry almost completely before putting them in a sink or shower for a long, slow soaking.

Can you overwinter hibiscus in pots?

If your hibiscus is in a pot, then it's easy to bring it indoors and keep it alive as a houseplant over the winter. They aren't too fussy, and don't require much more care than your other houseplants. Just make sure to bring them in before the temperature drops below 60°F outside.

How do I prune tropical hibiscus for winter?

When pruning hibiscus plants, they should be cut about a third of the way back, leaving at least two to three nodes on the branches for new growth to emerge. These cuts should be made just above the nodes, leaving about a quarter-inch (0.5 cm.).

How do I prepare my hibiscus plant for winter?

Hardy Hibiscus plants should be covered in winter when grown in areas with cold temperatures and snow. Pack mulch around the base of the plant to help protect the roots. The plant can be wrapped in fabric or a tarp to ward off chilly temps and wind.

What is the lowest temperature a tropical hibiscus can tolerate?

For the most part, hibiscus are pretty tolerant. But, because it is a tropical plant, it's best to protect it from temperatures below about 50F (10C) or so. Tropical hibiscus can survive dips in temperature, but may show damage or even die back if it drops below about 35F (1.5C).

Do Tropical hibiscus lose their leaves in winter?

Even without ideal conditions, you can keep your hibiscus alive through the winter. A cool (50- to 60-degree) place such as an unheated, attached garage where it can get some light works well. The hibiscus will lose most of its leaves and all of its flower buds when you move it into such a situation.

When should I bring my hibiscus tree inside?

Bring the plants indoors once temperatures begin to drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit at night. Reduce watering and only provide the plants with bright indirect light so the leaves yellow and fall off naturally, which forces the plant into dormancy.

How do I know if my hibiscus is hardy or tropical?

Another way to check is if the flowers are salmon, peach, orange, or yellow, or double flowered, then you probably have a TROPICAL hibiscus. Hardy hibiscus do not come in these colors or in doubles! Many tropical hibiscus flowers have more than one color in a bloom either in bands or as spots.

How do I overwinter my hibiscus in my garage?

The garage needs to be kept above like 40 to 43 degrees. And this way the plant will survive

When should I cut back my tropical hibiscus?

'In the US the best time to prune is in spring or when the weather starts warming up. Never prune tropical hibiscus in fall as you risk freezing the new and still tender growth. Also, it's recommended to bring your tropical hibiscus inside in winter if it's planted in a pot.

What temperature kills tropical hibiscus?

Under 30°F (-1°C) for many hours will most likely kill the plant entirely. Such temperatures should be avoided. Temperatures over 95°F (35°C) will often cause most flower buds to drop off. Hibiscus can survive temperatures even as high as 115°F (46°C), provided they have adequate water.

Will tropical hibiscus come back after winter?

Do hibiscus plants come back every year? Yes, cold hardy hibiscus plants will go dormant and come back in the spring every year in the right growing zone. Tropical varieties will stay evergreen in warm climates, but are otherwise grown as annuals, or kept as houseplants.

How do I protect my outdoor hibiscus in the winter?

Hardy hibiscus are considered a perennial plant, not a shrub, so they will die down to the ground each winter. To help them survive the cold, cover the plants with a thick (8- to 12 inch) layer of mulch. Chopped leaves or pine needles are great choices. This will help protect the root ball through winter.

Can tropical hibiscus survive a freeze?

This shrubby plant can survive an occasional frost, but its stems and leaves may die back a bit. As long as the roots don't freeze, you can prune the dead parts away, and new growth will sprout in spring.

Will hibiscus survive winter in Zone 7?

Hardy hibiscus is fully hardy in USDA zones 5-9 which means the plants survive winter temperatures as low as -20°F. It shrugs frost off like a champ. Since it dies back to the ground each winter, there is no need to mulch the stems through the colder months.

Should I water my hibiscus in the winter?

While watering is essential to your year-round care for hibiscus, in the winter, you should only water the plant when the soil is dry to the touch. If you water more than this, you may damage the roots. This will cause a significant number of yellow leaves on your hibiscus.

Can tropical hibiscus be grown indoors?

Hibiscus as a Houseplant. Hibiscus are sun-loving, tropical plants that have big showy flowers with a famous, prominent stamen. You don't need to live in California or Florida to grow them. In temperate climates, you can grow them outside during the summer and enjoy them indoors as houseplants over the winter.

Can I leave my hibiscus in garage in winter?

A: Your tropical hibiscus can be kept over the winter in one of two ways — semi-dormant storage or sunny room house plant. You can put it in a garage or shed with minimal light and temperatures just above freezing and water it occasionally so it can survive to grow again next spring.

10 Overwintering tropical hibiscus Images