| There are two types of hibiscus; hardy, called Rose of Sharon, and tropical (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis). If you're growing the hardy type, provide lots of sunshine and water once or twice a week. In the winter the tops will die down and you can prune them back; new stems and flowers will appear in spring and summer. Lots of people grow tropical hibiscus as houseplants during the winter, putting them outdoors for the summer months. Ideally, plants should be allowed to gradually adjust to indoor conditions after growing outdoors all summer. They're more likely to retain their leaves, and less likely to attract pests. When the daytime temperatures reach a minimum of 60F this spring, gradually acclimate it back to the outdoors by exposing it to a little more sun each day over the course of a week. Reverse the process in fall when you bring it inside. Tropical Hibiscus like average household temperatures and very bright light. They also want moist, but not soggy soil. Mist the leaves regularly to add some moisture to the air. If the plant gets too leggy, you can pinch back some of the stems. Fertilize during the spring/summer months (March through August as a rule of thumb). Hope this helps! |
