HOW TO OVERWINTER TROPICAL HIBISCUS (brining hibiscus indoors) #Hibiscus #Plantcare, by Harmony Art and Garden Grow on YouTube. 5 min 48 s.
- Video length
- 5 min 48 s
- Time to do it
- 30 minutes
- Difficulty
- Easy
- Steps
- 9
What you need
Steps
Bring the plant inside before the first frost, ideally when night temperatures drop to about 50°F (10°C). Tropical hibiscus leaves and buds get damaged below that.
Check the whole plant for pests before it comes in. Look under the leaves and along the stems for aphids, whitefly and spider mites, then spray with insecticidal soap.
Keep the plant apart from your other houseplants for about a week so any hidden pests do not spread.
Prune leggy stems back by about a third with clean shears. Cut just above a leaf node so the plant keeps a compact shape over winter.
Place the pot in the brightest spot you have, such as a south-facing window with 4 to 6 hours of direct sun. Add a grow light if the light is weak.
Water much less than in summer. Let the top inch of soil dry out, then water until it drains, and never leave the pot sitting in water.
Stop feeding. Fertilizer pushes soft new growth that struggles in low winter light. Wait until spring, when you see new leaves.
Keep the plant away from cold drafts, radiators and heat vents. Aim for 55 to 70°F (13 to 21°C), and mist the leaves now and then for humidity.
Check for pests every couple of weeks and wipe the leaves. In spring, once the last frost has passed, move the pot back outside and harden it off over a week.
Tips and common mistakes
Some yellow leaf drop in the first weeks indoors is normal as the plant adjusts to lower light.
Overwatering is the main way hibiscus die indoors, so when in doubt wait a day before watering.
Do not repot in winter. Wait until spring growth starts.
If your garage stays above 50°F, a hibiscus can overwinter there semi-dormant with only occasional watering.
Questions
When should I bring my tropical hibiscus indoors?
Before night temperatures fall below about 50°F (10°C), and always before the first frost in your area.
Will my hibiscus lose its leaves indoors?
It may drop some yellow leaves as it adjusts to lower light. Bright light and steady watering limit the loss, and new growth returns in spring.
Can I keep it in a dark garage?
Only if the space stays above 50°F. Expect the plant to go semi-dormant and lose most of its leaves, so water lightly every few weeks.
This guide was drafted from the video's details and general task knowledge. It has not been checked against the full video. Check the video and relevant product instructions before following a procedure. Report a correction.
