Hibiscus overwinter: planting time & care in winter

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In order for the hibiscus to bloom profusely next year, it must be properly overwintered. You can find out more about the ideal location and planting time here.

Hibiscus winter snow
In the first few years you should protect the garden hibiscus with a layer of mulch [Photo: Irene GrassiCC BY-SA 2.0]

Of the hibiscus (Hibiscus) comes from the subtropical regions of Asia. He is an absolute lover of warmth and only a few varieties can survive the winter in our latitudes. We explain to you how you can bring the not so hardy hibiscus varieties through the cold season in order to enjoy the flowers in the next year as well.

contents

  • Planting hibiscus: planting time and procedure
    • Hibiscus: the right time to plant
    • Planting hibiscus: bed and pot
    • Transplanting hibiscus: timing and procedure
  • Winter hibiscus in a pot

Planting hibiscus: planting time and procedure

The garden hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus) is the only species that can survive a moderate winter outdoors in the Central European climate. But when exactly should you get it?

plants and what else has to be considered? We explain this step by step in the following sections.

Hibiscus: the right time to plant

As soon as spring conditions allow it, you should plant your hibiscus in the garden. The earlier it gets into the growth phase, the better it is prepared for the coming winter.

4 hibiscus flowers pink
Hibiscus adorns the window sills and beds of many hobby gardeners with its colorful and sweeping flowers [Photo: Manu - CC BY-SA 2.0]
12 hibiscus young plant
After a few weeks in a warm and sunny place, the cuttings are ready to be planted out [Photo: F. D. Richards - CC BY-SA 2.0]
21 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
The rose hibiscus is more suitable as a houseplant [Photo: likeaduck - CC BY-SA 2.0]

Note: It makes sense to keep the garden hibiscus in the pot for the first year. The plant can be placed in the warm in particularly cold conditions and slowly adapt to the harsh winter conditions.

Planting hibiscus: bed and pot

The hibiscus prefers very nutrient-rich soils. So when you plant your hibiscus in a pot, be sure to use fresh compost. When planting in the bed, the planting hole should have about twice the volume of the root ball. Loosen the soil deeply and mix it with plenty of compost. The more nutrient-rich the soil, the more confidently one can hope for a rich bloom. You can also use a high quality and nutrient-rich organic soil like ours Plantura organic potting soil use to create optimal conditions for the hibiscus.

Transplanting hibiscus: timing and procedure

The garden hibiscus, which was initially grown in a pot, can be put outside after the first winter. Transplanting should be done as early as possible in spring to give the beloved hibiscus a good start to growth. When planting hibiscus, proceed exactly as if you were planting it directly in your flower bed. Loosen the soil deeply and enrich it with compost. The soil of the root ball from the pot can also be used in its entirety.

Winter hibiscus in a pot

The hibiscus is a heat-loving plant from the subtropics of Asia. No wonder he doesn't feel particularly comfortable in the Central European winters. However, the garden hibiscus is frost hardy and can withstand moderate winters. To get used to it, however, it can still be kept in the pot for the first year so that it can be put in a warm place at very low temperatures. The rose hibiscus, on the other hand, can no longer survive outdoors at temperatures below 12 ° C. For him, only planting in a pot is suitable. During the winter, you should water your hibiscus only moderately and under no circumstances fertilize it.

29 hibiscus winter
The garden hibiscus should be hardy after the first one to two years [Photo: Storm - CC BY-SA 2.0]
20 Hibiscus rosa-sinensis
In our latitudes, the rose hibiscus is not suitable for year-round cultivation outdoors [Photo: Forest and Kim Starr - CC BY 2.0]
25 hibiscus in a pot
The rose hibiscus should best be kept at room temperature all year round [Photo: F. D. Richards - CC BY-SA 2.0]

Tip: Even if the garden hibiscus is frost-resistant, you can help it through the cold months. To do this, simply layer some bark mulch on the ground around the main shoot. You can also plant evergreen ground cover around the main stem of the hibiscus to protect against the cold.

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