6 Ways to Get More Flowers on a Hibiscus

It’s Summertime here in Ohio, and the humid heat brings our favorite blooms of the season. Hibiscus flowers add large, showy pops of vibrant color to your landscape. Tropical Hibiscuses are abundantly available at any local home and garden store, from large braided hibiscus trees to small potted hibiscus shrubs, you can choose your pick. If you invest in a hibiscus tree, only to realize the Hibiscus is not cold hardy, fret not. These tropical trees can survive the winter indoors and bloom year after year.

The best way to encourage blooms in your Hibiscus is to ensure it gets the right amount of light, water, fertilizer, and the right kind of soil. Preventing diseases and pests will help promote and preserve hibiscus flowers.

The hibiscus plant is often advertised as a sun-loving, full sun tree. However, its broad leaves allow moisture to escape quickly, often dehydrating the plant if left in the harsh afternoon sun.

Place your Hibiscus in a spot where it will get morning sun, up to 3 P.M., and afternoon shade.

Hibiscus trees do not like wet feet, but drought conditions can cause pests like spider mites. Use a soil moisture meter to test the soil and water when the soil is somewhat dry. You may drench the soil completely every few days and allow water to run out from the pot, then wait till the soil is dry before re-watering or water slightly every day to keep the soil moist. Make sure to avoid watering the foliage as this can cause diseases like mildew.

Hibiscuses prefer slightly acidic soil with a PH balance of about 6.7. The Hibiscus will flower when its soil is rich in nutrients. Amend the soil with organic fertilizer (Amazon link) and make sure to use indoor potting soil to plant your Hibiscus to prevent diseases. Indoor potting mix contains pearlite, vermiculite, moss, and bark to support the potted Hibiscus by aerating the soil and preventing root rot.

Regular cleaning during the blooming season will keep your hibiscus plant tidy. Hibiscus blooms last for a day and usually close and drop within 24 hours. Dispose of the dropped blooms. Yearly pruning will boost hibiscus blooms by increasing airflow and encouraging growth. Use sanitized sheers to trim any crossing branches and cut the stems to make them appear and even length.

If you want to get more blooms from your Hibiscus, stay ahead of diseases. Grow Tip- Prevention is the best cure. Carefully observe the underside of the foliage and buds for any signs of bugs such as spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids. If you spot bugs, move the plant to a shady spot, hose the plant down, let the foliage dry, apply a simple solution of warm water, dish soap, and a few drops of neem oil. You can also use Fels-Naptha Laundry Bar Soap. After treatment, allow the plant to remain in the shady spot for 24 hours before moving it back into its original location.

Often, the plant sheds its buds due to a lack of nutrients in the pot. Get your hibiscus plant to flower by fertilizing it using diluted fish fertilizer. You can also use a fertilizer designed for Acid loving plants.

Grow-Tip – Go easy on Acid loving plant fertilizer as Hibiscus can easily get fertilizer burn, causing the foliage to yellow and drop.

Written By Sargam Merchant

For Home & Travel Cafe By Linette