My Hybiscus Plant.

Question

I live in Walla Walla WA it get very cold here but in Oct bought the plant into the house. months later it lot it’s leave but the steams are still green and living. will I get leaves and flowers again in the warm mos in the Spring? thank You for your help on my Hybiscus plant. Janny

Answer 1

Hi Janny – Hibiscus trees struggle when they are abruptly brought indoors for the colder months. The reduction in light that occurs indoors is greater than most folks realize. But you can’t fool Mother Nature and the plant tends to react by dropping a lot of leaves that emerged in outdoor sunlight. This is not fatal; just the plant’s effort to adapt to the change in its environment.

Provide as much sunlight as possible. Water the soil as soon as it is almost dry on the surface. Prune the stems back sharply. You will see healthy new leaves emerging. However, they will be adapted to indoor light and will suffer when moved back outside in the warmer weather. That means you will need to prune it back sharply again just before moving it outside when it will thrive once again.

In colder climates, Hibiscus go through this difficult adjustment cycle twice every year when they are moved in and out. Some folks don’t fuss about winter deterioration and just try to keep their Hibiscus alive through the winter in anticipatioin of warmer days.