Hibiscus bloom blues
Pat Asked
I have saved the hibiscus plant thru the winter months for several years. The last two summers it starts to bloom, just as it’s getting cold and not thru the summer. I wonder what to do for it this winter to get it to bloom sooner this coming year/summer. Thank you, Pat.
The Gardener’s Answer
Hi, Pat: To get your tropical hibiscus blooming sooner, focus on giving it plenty of light and warmth while it’s still hanging out indoors. Since these plants flower on new growth, overwintering them in your warmest, sunniest south-facing window—or using LED grow lights if it’s too dim—is the best way to keep them happy. Giving them a light prune in late winter helps those new stems start early, and once you see green shoots, you can start using a balanced hibiscus fertilizer to fuel the buds. Just remember to move them back outside slowly once the frost is gone so they don’t get stressed and drop their flowers. Use your favorite fertilizer to keep the blooms coming all summer. I hope this helps!
Angie Oakley
Kentucky Living-Ask the Gardener
