Fertilize hibiscus: care tips for the perfect bloom

The hibiscus scores with magnificent flowers - at least with the right care. Everything you need to know about fertilizing hibiscus can be found here.

the hibiscus (Hibiscus) is an enrichment for the home window sill or the conservatory, not least because of its flowers that spray throughout the summer. The right type of hibiscus can, skilfully overwintered in a sheltered location, be the Hawaiian Carry the flair of the subtropical plant into your garden - at least in mild regions of Germany. The hibiscus actually comes from Asia. In order for the charisma of the mallow family (Malvaceae) to find its way indoors and outdoors, the striking blossoms of the hibiscus must not be missing. These show up – if the Care of the hibiscus That's right - between June and October every year in bright colors. Such an impressive flower naturally drains the plant's reserves and needs a regular supply of nutrients. Two hibiscus representatives in particular occupy an important place on our windowsills and in the gardens, as they want to be supplied with sufficient nutrients. The Chinese Marshmallow (

Hibiscus rosa-sinensis) is the classic on the warm windowsill, while the garden hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus) makes the garden shine.

Proper nutritional intake and composition will ensure your hibiscus blooms profusely, rather than shedding its leaves and flowers in defiance of neglect. This article answers the most important questions about fertilizing your hibiscus so that your hibiscus shows its most beautiful flower dress in summer as a thank you.

When to fertilize the hibiscus?

Below are the different times when it is advisable to fertilize the hibiscus.

Fertilize hibiscus when growing

If you want to grow or propagate your hibiscus yourself despite the rather low germination rates, start with the nutrient supply from the second month. The small plant is first fertilized with diluted liquid fertilizer. You should gradually approach the concentration specified by the manufacturer in order to slowly get the hibiscus used to the nutrient supply.

Fertilize hibiscus when planting

When planting in spring, you can provide the nutrients for the next bloom. You can do this by adding mature compost or another slow-release fertilizer like ours to the garden soil Plantura organic flower fertilizer mix in This is particularly recommended for a hibiscus pot culture, because when planting you have the opportunity to enrich the soil with nutrients. In a pot that has already been planted, mixing fertilizer into the soil is usually a difficult task. After planting, you can apply a layer of mulch in the root area.

When to fertilize the indoor hibiscus?

Due to the small volume of soil in the pot, it is better to use fertilizer regularly when growing a hibiscus in a pot. Provide your garden hibiscus with sufficient nutrients once a week during the growing season from March to October. Here you can also choose a mineral fertilizer variant, because the soil life inside the pot is usually sparsely sown anyway. If fertilizer sticks are given as an alternative, the fertilizer dose is reduced to the specified duration of action.

When to fertilize the garden hibiscus?

Although the garden hibiscus has the same nutritional needs as the species found on the frolic on the windowsill, but with its roots in the garden soil, it has completely different sources of nutrients at its disposal Disposal. Although you can also use the quickly available mineral fertilizer variant from March to October, it is more convenient to use organic long-term fertilizer. This is used in much larger sections, one application in spring is usually sufficient. In this way you can add fertilizer at the same time as the annual Pruning your hibiscus combine. Only a professional pruning helps the hibiscus to bloom unexpectedly.

If you also use an organic fertilizer variant, you are not only doing the animals and small children in your household a favor thanks to its high level of compatibility. They also protect the environment and the soil life, which is important for the nutrient cycle.

Summary: when to fertilize the hibiscus?

• When planting, mix mature compost or organic long-term fertilizer under the potting soil and apply a layer of mulch
• Fertilize at regular intervals from March to October

Hibiscus fertilizer: how and with what to fertilize hibiscus?

Even if the hibiscus is a plant originally from Asia, fertilizers are available on the market that are suitable for Mediterranean plants, but also for Asian flowering plants. Even special hibiscus fertilizers are available. These promise a healthy leaf mass and beautiful flowers. The hibiscus needs the right combination of nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium. A NPK fertilizer a ratio of 7 – 6 – 5 should be ideal here, but normal flower fertilizer will also completely satisfy the flower-bearing plants. You should pay particular attention to the intake of the trace elements sulphur, boron, copper, iron, manganese, molybdenum and zinc.

In late summer, or early autumn at the latest, you should also switch to potassium-rich fertilization. This makes the plants more resistant and fit for the winter. Especially for garden hibiscus (Hibiscus syriacus) that have been planted in the bed, this is an advantage. But also species like the Chinese rose mallow (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), benefit from the additional strengthening in the winter quarters. Our Plantura organic flower fertilizer offers a nutrient ratio of 4 – 2 – 7 (NPK) that pretty much every flowering plant will gratefully accept. In addition, it offers extra potassium for the cold season. Your hibiscus is therefore cared for all year round. This organic fertilizer offers many advantages for the gardener and his green environment:

• Soil life, i.e. earthworms, but also helpful bacteria, are encouraged
• The ingredients all come from organically controlled cultivation and are completely animal-free
• The nutrients are available over a long period of time and are therefore released to the soil and the plant in a well-dosed manner

Tip from the pro: The best fertilizer is of no use to you with the hibiscus if waterlogging forms because the irrigation water cannot drain off. Therefore, when cultivating in pots, be sure to use a pot with a drainage hole and lay out a drainage layer.

Fertilize hibiscus properly: Instructions for application

Your hibiscus needs a variety of nutrients for a bloom that will open eyes and mouths. These are fetched from the soil surrounding the roots. A regular supply of these fuels is therefore essential, especially for pot cultures. The reserves in the earth are not simply filled up again. Even in the bed, the natural nutrient supply is usually not sufficient to maintain the nutrient supply for years. In addition to an optimal nutrient supply, a fertilizer with a high potassium content - like ours Plantura organic flower fertilizer – Strength for cold-sensitive plants in harsh winters. Here's a quick guide to expertly fertilizing your hibiscus:

1. Before planting, work 100 - 150 g/m² (well-filled 0.2 liter glass) of our Plantura organic flower fertilizer into the top layer of soil
2. Pour the base and freshly added hibiscus well so that the granules can dissolve well
3. For maintenance fertilization in spring, you should fertilize another 80 - 120 g/m² (0.2 liter jar) per plant

Fertilize hibiscus organically: instructions

A hibiscus needs a brisk supply of nutrients, but this does not mean that you have to resort to the mineral fertilizer club. On the contrary: You can avoid using the fertilizer at one time or another by using an organic fertilizer.

You can work the nutrient suppliers into the top layer of soil around the roots using a garden tool. Anyone who has resorted to the completely natural form of fertilization strengthens their hibiscus by fertilizing with patent potash. The additional supply of potassium ensures that the shoots ripen more quickly. The magnesium also ensures a green and healthy appearance. About 40 grams per square meter are used for trees and ornamental shrubs. When cultivating hibiscus plants in pots, applying organic fertilizer is like compost however mostly difficult. In addition, the smell does not exactly contribute to the tropical feel-good atmosphere.

Organic long-term fertilizers in liquid or granulated form are therefore better suited. At our Plantura organic flower fertilizer you do not have to make any compromises in terms of nature compatibility. The almost exclusively plant-based ingredients come from controlled, organic cultivation. In this way you can take care of your hibiscus in a pot in the long term, conveniently and in an environmentally friendly manner. For better resilience, you can also fertilize with rock flour. This contains many minerals and trace elements such as silicic acid, iron, manganese and molybdenum.

Fertilize hibiscus with minerals

mineral fertilizers are highly concentrated and supply according to the principle of rapid availability. Your plants will be supplied with all the nutrients they need in no time at all. This can offer benefits if your plant is showing signs of deficiency. However, when dosed incorrectly, these benefits quickly lead to damage from over-fertilization. Also, the excess of plant food is often flushed out as quickly as it is available. Therefore, always fertilize exactly according to the manufacturer's instructions. During the growing season from March to October, you should fertilize hibiscus in pots or tubs about once a week. Your plants are optimally cared for and less fertilizer ends up in the groundwater. However, to minimize the risk of soil and plant pollution, it is advisable to use an organic fertilizer variant.

Fertilize hibiscus with home remedies

Small home remedies can have a big effect - also when fertilizing indoor and garden plants. Mixed into the soil, coffee grounds, crushed banana peels, or tea grounds provide a good supply of everything your hibiscus needs. Alternatively, you can also Liquid manure or brew made from plant residues or pour vegetable water. Potassium salts such as Epsom salt provide good winter hardiness with an additional load of potassium.

More tips for optimal Care of hibiscus see this article.