How to Plant, Grow, and Care For Hibiscus in Pots and Containers

Hibiscus plants are a beautiful and diverse group of plants. They’re best known for their large, colorful flowers and attractiveness to pollinators. They are an excellent addition to wildlife-friendly gardens. 

These members of the mallow family are popular around the world. They have several uses, the primary one being their ornamental value. They also have several culinary and medicinal uses. 

What Is It?

Growing hibiscus plants in pots and containers is an excellent way to bring them into your living spaces. It enables you to enjoy tropical varieties even in climates with cold winters. Both hardy and tropical hibiscus plants grow well in containers. It allows you to relocate them to meet their environmental needs and protect them from freezing weather.  

Characteristics

Hibiscuses are wide-ranging in terms of the climates where they grow well. Despite their differences in this regard, they all share a similar appearance and somewhat similar needs. The main difference is their temperature tolerance. Cold-hardy species are typically deciduous, while tropical types are generally evergreen. 

These deciduous and evergreen shrubs range in height from two to twenty feet. The lush, flowering shrubs have large, trumpet-shaped flowers and attractive, often glossy foliage. The foliage is typically green, but there are also varieties with deep red or purple leaves. 

The flowers are typically five-petaled with a prominent central staminal column. They come in a variety of colors, including red, pink, purple, orange, white, yellow, and multi-colored. Deciduous species typically bloom from late spring to early fall, depending on the cultivar. Tropical hibiscuses can bloom nearly year-round. 

Native Area

Hibiscuses are native to a wide range of locations, based on their particular species. H. rosa-sinensis, a tropical plant, is native to East Asia and the Pacific Islands. H. moscheutos, or hardy hibiscus, is native to eastern North America. Rose of Sharon, which is the common name for H. syriacus, is native to China and India.

Planting

Growing hibiscus plants in pots and containers is a great way to control their environment. You can move the plant as needed and provide it with the ideal environment. It’s also easier to bring them indoors this way, to enjoy them in your living space. 

Since you’re growing your plant in a pot or container, the time of year is not a significant factor. As long as you provide it with appropriate care, it’s fine to purchase a hibiscus any time of year. It’s essential to select a container with adequate drainage, as hibiscus plants dislike wet feet. 

Choose a pot that is large enough to accommodate the present root ball, plus a year’s worth of growth. For a young plant, a 12″-16″ pot is about right. Make sure to account for the variety and its ultimate size. There is a wide range of sizes among these plants, with some remaining relatively small and others growing up to 20 feet. 

It’s best to consider the size of your variety before purchasing, and select one that’s on the smaller side. These are best suited for container growing. For a larger variety, choose a large, heavy pot to prevent it from tipping over. 

How to Grow

Hibiscus plants are not difficult to grow in pots, but they do have specific needs that you should account for. As long as you meet their needs for drainage, sunlight, and nutrients, you should end up with a happy plant. 

Light

Hibiscus plants thrive best in full sun. They need at least six hours or more for optimal blooming. If you’re keeping your plant outdoors, potting it makes this easy. You can relocate your container to a spot where it will receive sufficient light. 

For hibiscuses in pots indoors, getting enough light can be a challenge. Place your plant in the sunniest window possible. If your hibiscus appears not to be receiving enough light, it may be necessary to use a grow light. You can also move it outdoors for part of the year. 

Water

Hibiscus plants need a moderate amount of water to stay healthy and produce flowers, and those growing in pots and containers may need more moisture. The exact amount and frequency of watering will depend on the plant’s climate, weather, container size, and location. An outdoor plant will need much more frequent watering than one kept indoors. 

The soil should stay moist, but not wet or soggy. Soggy roots are more susceptible to fungus and ultimately, root rot. To avoid this issue, allow the top inch of the soil to dry between waterings. Plants in pots and containers need more water than those in the ground.

Soil

Use a well-draining, nutrient-rich potting mix for your potted hibiscus. You can start with a standard potting mix. Add compost to increase the nutrients, and perlite or sand to improve the drainage. 

Avoid using heavy garden soil that can compact easily in containers. A light, airy mix is ideal for this shrub. When potting it, place the plant at the same soil depth it was in its nursery pot. 

Temperature and Humidity

The ideal temperature and humidity vary between species. Tropical cultivars prefer steady, warm temperatures and should come indoors when the thermometer drops below 50°F (10°C). They like moderate to high humidity, in the range of 50-70%. 

Hardy hibiscus can survive in the ground in zones 4 and above, but the conditions are different for potted plants. If you’re in zones 6-9, you can leave this one outdoors for the winter. North of that, bring it indoors or insulate it in some way. Hardy species are also happy in moderate to high humidity.

Fertilizing

These are heavy feeders, so even in the ground, they need regular fertilizing. In containers, they need even more. Containers hold less soil, and less soil holds fewer nutrients. Fertilizers also wash out of the soil in potted plants easily. 

Fertilize your potted hibiscus with a balanced or high-potassium fertilizer every two to three weeks. Do this throughout the growing season, and use a liquid to prevent burn. During the late fall and winter months, your plant will be semi-dormant to fully dormant, and you can pause fertilizing. 

Maintenance

Pruning your potted hibiscus is important for its health and to maintain a manageable size. Pruning it regularly will encourage new growth, increase air circulation, and keep your plant bushy and full. It’s great for bringing leggy plants back to an attractive shape. 

Late winter to early spring is your major pruning time. This is just before it enters an active growth phase. Remove leggy or weak stems and cut the shrub back to manage the size and increase branching and blooming. 

During the growing season, you can deadhead your hibiscus, but most are self-cleaning, so it’s not necessary. Pinch or trim off the ends of branches to promote bushiness and increased flowering. 

After it finishes flowering, cut your hibiscus back by about 1/3. This makes it more manageable for the winter if you plan to bring it indoors. It also controls the size in general, which is important for potted plants.

Propagation

Hibiscus propagation is easy and rewarding, and a great way to grow new plants. It’s most commonly carried out with cuttings. All types will work well using this method, but tropical hibiscus tends to root faster. 

The ideal time to take cuttings is in late spring when there is plenty of new, green wood. Take your cutting from a healthy, non-flowering branch. Cuttings should be four to six inches long, and cut just above a node. 

Remove any leaves on the bottom of your cutting, leaving only two or three at the top. Optionally, dip the cut end in rooting hormone to expedite the process. 

Insert your cutting into a pot filled with a loose, moist, well-draining potting mix. Gently firm the potting mix around the base of the cutting. Cover your cutting with plastic or a propagation dome to retain humidity. 

Place your cutting in a warm spot with bright, indirect light. Maintain soil moisture throughout the process. Your cutting should form roots in three to six weeks. 

‘Cherry Choco Latte’

	botanical name Hibiscus x ‘Cherry Choco Latte’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘Cherry Choco Latte’ is a Summerific® variety that blooms big in a small space. It reaches approximately four feet in height at maturity, making it ideal for container growing. The deep olive foliage has bronze undertones, and the buds are light green. The blooms are enormous, measuring eight to nine inches across, and are white with deep pink veins. 

‘Mimi’

	botanical name Hibiscus x ‘Mimi’
	sun requirements Full sun to partial shade
	height 2’-3’
	hardiness zones 5-10

‘Mimi’ is an ideal choice for growing in a pot. This hybrid tops out at only three feet tall, so it’s easy to manage. It flowers at a young age, producing large, scarlet flowers in great abundance. When it’s not in bloom, enjoy the beautiful, dark foliage with burgundy undertones.

‘French Vanilla’

	botanical name Hibiscus ‘French Vanilla’
	sun requirements Full sun
	height 3’-4’
	hardiness zones 4-9

‘French Vanilla’ is another Summerific cultivar. It has large, ruffled, butter-yellow blooms with a red heart and pale yellow stamens. This type requires a lot of light and grows to about three or four feet tall. It has a nice, rounded habit that makes it great for potting.

Common Problems

Hibiscus plants are easy to grow in pots and containers, but in general, they have a few issues with pests and diseases. Identifying these early is the key to maintaining a healthy plant. 

Pests

Common hibiscus pests include aphids, spider mites, whiteflies, mealybugs, and scale insects. These are sap sucking pests, and these shrubs have plenty of the food they are looking for. Indoors, spider mites are the worst pest issue. In the garden, the others are more prevalent.

Keep a close eye on your plants and maintain a healthy environment. Avoid bringing plants into the house until you’ve inspected them for pests and diseases. Neem oil is effective in treating and preventing infestations of various pests, as a follow-up. 

A healthy, well-nourished plant will resist damage better, so be sure to water and fertilize regularly. A strong stream of water is often enough to knock down insect populations. You can also remove them by hand. 

Diseases

Most disease issues for hibiscuses are fungal. Because they prefer moisture and humidity, it’s essential to keep them pruned to ensure proper air circulation. Overwatering causes root rot, the most common problem affecting these plants. 

Leaf spot, powdery mildew, and botrytis blight are other diseases you may encounter. Proper care is the best way to prevent these issues. Prune away diseased leaves as you notice them. Maintaining good ventilation, watering, feeding, and pruning practices will substantially minimize the risk. 

Frequently Asked Questions