Hibiscus in the pot: tips for care & repotting

Many only know hibiscus as sweeping bushes and hedges. We are introducing a few smaller varieties that are also great for planting in pots.

Some don't want one in their apartment or on the balcony hibiscus (Hibiscus) waive. You don't have to, because hibiscus can also be planted in pots. Of course, there are a few differences to outdoor growing. As soon as you know this, however, nothing stands in the way of growing hibiscus in the pot. In our article we will tell you everything about suitable types and varieties, how to plant hibiscus in pots and what to consider when caring for them.

Hibiscus varieties for the pot

Most importantly, varieties of hibiscus for growing in pots should be small. The frost resistance does not play a role here, since the plants spend the winter in the house. The rose hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), also called Chinese hibiscus. This type of hibiscus also bears the name indoor hibiscus - so it is ideally suited to be grown as a houseplant, on the terrace or balcony. The type of rose hibiscus includes an incredible number of and sometimes rare varieties. None of them are hardy. We are now introducing you to some varieties that have proven to be particularly suitable for growing in pots.

• 'Standing Ovation': This variety convinces with red-orange and yellow, very large flowers. The plant can reach heights of up to 15 centimeters.
• 'Tahitian Flaming Dragon': This variety flowers pink-red with white stripes. The plant can reach a height of 30 centimeters and blooms from April to November.
• 'Dark Continent': With brown flowers on the outside and ruby ​​red flowers on the inside and a diameter of up to 18 centimeters, this variety impresses. The plant itself can reach a height of 30 centimeters and blooms from April to November.
• 'Jolanda Gommer': The flowers of this variety are purple, red and orange. The plant rarely becomes very tall, a maximum of 30 centimeters.
• 'Voodoo Magic': This hibiscus variety owes its name to its very special flowers. These are dark brown and have an orange eye in the middle. Flowering time is from April to November.

Even more Hibiscus varieties can be found here in our special article.

Plant the hibiscus in the pot

Before the hibiscus can be planted in the pot, it is important to find the right location for it. In summer, the pot hibiscus can be placed in the room or outside on the balcony, terrace or directly in the garden. The hibiscus likes it sunny and warm - both outside and inside. That's why it's best to put it on the windowsill in your room. However, the hibiscus does not like the blazing midday sun, so the curtain should be drawn in front of the window at midday or a place outside it should be selected. The hibiscus does not mind a place above the heater, as long as it is adequately supplied with water and humidity. That is why regular watering and moistening in the room is very important, you can find out more about this below.

Hibiscus in the pot: location

The hibiscus feels most comfortable in the pot at temperatures between 18 and 28 ° C in the room. If the temperatures outside are consistently above 15 ° C, your indoor hibiscus can move outside in summer. Here he prefers a partially shaded and protected location. The following applies both indoors and outdoors: the hibiscus is extremely true to its location. This means that once it begins to bloom, it should not be rearranged. A change of location means a lot of stress for the plant and can lead to the shedding of the flowers. If the temperatures fall below 15 ° C in autumn, the hibiscus has to move to its winter quarters.

Summary pot hibiscus location:

• In the room: sunny, but no blazing midday sun
• Optimal temperature range inside between 18 and 25 ° C
• Do not put it outdoors until the temperatures are consistently above 15 ° C
• Outside: Partly shaded and protected location
• Hollow in in autumn when temperatures drop below 15 ° C
• As soon as flowers are set, do not change the location

Hibiscus in a pot: the right substrate

Your hibiscus grows best in a pot in humus-rich and nutrient-rich soil. It is also important that this is very permeable and that excess water can drain off easily. If the substrate is very compact, it can therefore be useful to loosen it up with sand. You should create a drain in the pot so that the water can drain off well. Otherwise waterlogging can lead to root rot on the hibiscus. Therefore, make sure that the pot has a drainage hole.

Summary pot hibiscus substrate:

• Rich in humus
• Nutrient-rich
• Permeable
• With drainage

In the following we have summarized all the important points about planting hibiscus in pots:

• Select a sufficiently large saucepan
• Create a drainage layer
• Fill the pot 1/3 with substrate
• Put the hibiscus plant in it
• Fill the pot with substrate
• Pour generously

More tips on Planting and propagating hibiscus You will find here.

Maintain the hibiscus in the pot

Only an optimally cared for hibiscus will reward you with a lush display of flowers. We will therefore tell you what is important when watering, fertilizing, cutting and repotting hibiscus in the pot.

General tips on Care of hibiscus can be read here.

Pour the hibiscus in the pot

The hibiscus is a thirsty roommate. The high water requirement therefore requires regular watering of the potted plant. The substrate should never dry out completely, so you will need to water more, especially in summer. However, this requires a certain amount of tact. With the thumb test - simply press your thumb a few centimeters into the substrate - you can determine the moisture content of the soil. If it feels dry, you need to water it. The entire substrate should be penetrated by water. However, waterlogging must not occur either. If the hibiscus is in the room on the windowsill directly above the heater, it is also happy to be regularly sprayed with water.

Summary of Pouring Pot Hibiscus:

• Water more in summer
• Water regularly and thoroughly
• No waterlogging
• No ball dryness

Cut the hibiscus in a pot

So that your hibiscus does not get too big in the pot and remains small and compact, you should cut it back annually. Since the hibiscus forms its flowers on annual shoots, spring is the ideal time for the pruning. If so, trim your hibiscus back six inches. The more the hibiscus is pruned, the denser the plant will be. You can also remove all dried up shoots, leaves and flowers.

A detailed guide to the Cutting hibiscus You will find here.

Fertilize the hibiscus in the pot

In order to generate enough energy for the lush and large flowers, the hibiscus needs sufficient and regular fertilization. In the pot, you should provide your hibiscus with nutrients once a week during the growth phase from March to October.

Our Plantura organic flower fertilizer. This consists primarily of organic substances and provides your hibiscus with sufficient nutrients over the long term and gently. In winter, the hibiscus in the pot is not fertilized.

More information about the Fertilizing hibiscus can be found in our special article.

Repot the hibiscus

Regular repotting is also part of the proper care of your hibiscus. In the third year after purchase, the hibiscus should be repotted - at the latest, however, as soon as the entire pot has been penetrated with the roots of the plant. After the first repotting, the pot is changed every two years. For the new vessel, choose a pot that is only a few centimeters larger than the old one. The best time to repot is spring. Then proceed as follows to repot:

• Carefully remove the hibiscus from the old pot
• Loosen the root ball well
• Shorten long, protruding roots with the scissors
• Use new potting soil

Winter hibiscus in a pot

The rose hibiscus is not hardy and therefore has to spend the cold time indoors. During hibernation, the hibiscus should be in a cool, but always light, place. The optimal room temperature for wintering is between 12 and 15 ° C. Temperatures should never drop below 12 ° C, otherwise the hibiscus may shed all of its leaves. If your hibiscus loses a few leaves in winter, you don't have to turn on the heating immediately. A little leaf loss in winter is quite normal. Temperatures above 20 ° C are more likely to damage your hibiscus. Even in winter, the hibiscus has to be watered regularly. The substrate should never dry out, but you have to water significantly less in winter than in summer. Fertilization is not necessary in the resting phase in winter.

The most important things about wintering hibiscus at a glance:

• Light location
• Temperatures between 12 and 15 ° C
• Water little but regularly
• Do not fertilize

Even more information about the right one Hibiscus overwinter You will find here.