Winter Care Of Hardy 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.

How do you take care of hardy hibiscus in the winter?

Once indoors, place hibiscus in bright light with some direct sunlight daily. It rests somewhat during the winter, and at that time it enjoys room temperatures lower that your normal ones - more like 55 degrees. Do not fertilize during the winter rest period.

Can I leave my hardy hibiscus outside in winter?

Keeping Hibiscus Inside Over Winter (That said, if you have a hardy hibiscus, which is sold in the perennials section of your local garden center, that plant can stay outdoors over winter. It will go dormant this fall, rest over winter, and produce new growth in late spring with flowers following in summer).

Can hardy hibiscus survive winter?

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.

Do you cut hardy hibiscus down in fall?

Hardy hibiscus pruning isn't complicated but there are a few things you should know in order to keep the plant looking its best. Cut any dead stems or branches down to about 8 to 12 inches (20-30 cm.) in fall, just before applying a protective cover of mulch.

Can I cut back hibiscus in fall?

For the most part, hibiscus plants can be lightly pruned in late summer or early fall, but no hibiscus pruning should be done during late fall or winter. One of the downsides to waiting later in the season to prune is that plants may not develop as many branches and they will put out fewer blooms.

What is the lowest temperature a hardy hibiscus can tolerate?

Hibiscuses like temperatures between 60-85°F. If temperatures are below 50°F, most growth and blooming will stop and flower size will be smaller and deformed. A freeze will cause the plant to die so be sure to move your plant indoors before the first fall frost.

Will a hardy hibiscus come back after 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.

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.

How many years do hardy hibiscus plants live?

Hibiscuses may live up to ten years when using fourteen inch pots. Make sure not to over-water, try to keep your plant on the dry side. There plants like humid weather, so it is beneficial to mist the leaves daily, or use a humidifier.

What does a hibiscus look like in the winter?

Most perennial Hibiscus varieties enter a dormant stage near the end of fall, which typically lasts through the winter season. You will notice that the leaves will lose their color, flowers will drop, and new growth will stop for a brief period.

What do you do with hardy hibiscus in the fall?

In the late fall, long after flowering is finished, you will need to prune hardy hibiscus stems following a hard frost. If you wish, you can leave 3-6 inches of stem visible to remind you where the plant is.

When should I winterize my hibiscus?

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 you prune hibiscus plants before winter?

To prune hibiscus, make major cuts in early spring and minor cuts throughout the spring and summer, cutting out branches facing outward and above a node; the exact pruning style, however, may vary based on the needs of your plant. With a bit of corrective cutting, your garden will be full of healthy new hibiscus buds.

Should I cut off yellow leaves on hibiscus?

Hibiscus yellow leaves are common and usually not anything to worry about. Often, hibiscus leaves turning yellow will correct itself. In some cases, pruning of the entire plant is necessary.

How do you stop hardy hibiscus from growing so tall?

Prune the limbs that have grown too tall back to branch angles within the existing plants. You may have to remove only a foot or two of top growth to reshape the plant. Another option is to remove the tallest stems back to near the ground and allow the shorter shoots to continue growth and flower.

How do you take care of a hibiscus after freezing?

A freeze forces a hibiscus into dormancy, so for now you just want to keep it warm and let it rest and recuperate. Don't give it any fertilizer or booster, and be very careful not to overwater. After a cold snap, more hibiscus die of drowning or root disease from soggy soil than from the cold damage itself.

At what temperature do hibiscus freeze?

Hardy hibiscus that grow in USDA zone 5 tolerate temperatures to 20 below zero F during their dormancy. The rose mallow-Texas star cross, hardy hibiscus, tolerates temperatures to 30 degrees below zero F. Hardy hibiscus depend on dormancy to protect them -- soil protects tender roots and crowns from freezing winds.

Do you deadhead hardy hibiscus?

Because hibiscus plants do not require deadheading for their health or ability to continue blooming, some gardeners skip the added task. Hibiscus plants, both tropical and hardy types, can survive and bloom well without deadheading.

Do hardy hibiscus reseed themselves?

Hardy hibiscus will die back to the ground but will grow back by itself in the spring. Both types will produce seed pods if the flowers get pollinated. After the flowers drop off keep an eye on them to see if they produce seed pods.