Knowledgebase

Hibiscus over winter #889609

Asked November 10, 2024, 11:30 AM EST

Hello - I have a beautiful potted hibiscus plant. I understand it is perennial? How can I preserve it over winter so it blooms again next summer? Should I plant it in the ground, bring it inside (if so what kind of light does it need)? Thank you

Franklin County Ohio

Expert Response

There is a label in your photo. Check the label to see if you have a tropical/annual hibiscus (not winter hardy - and a houseplant in Columbus, Ohio, zone 6a winters) or a hardy/perennial hibiscus (winter hardy.) 

Here is a Hibiscus fact sheet. 
Hibiscus
Factsheet | HGIC 1179 | Revised: Jun 21, 2024 |https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/hibiscus/



If it is tropical, here is a suggestion on overwintering: 
"Question #285808
Winterizing [tropical] Hibiscus
Reply posted by Jane Rozum at 10/20/2015 6:55 PM

The goal of trying to protect the tropical hibiscus is to not allow the roots to freeze. I'm not certain what the nursery advised will keep the root temperature above freezing when we receive below zero temperatures this winter. Here's what Greg Stack, a Univ. of Illinois horticulture educator says about overwintering hibiscus:

“While they can be brought in before the first frost and maintained as a growing plant, the results are often not terrific,” Stack said. “Because these plants demand such high light, the foliage soon turns yellow and falls from the plant. The flower buds also tend to fall off before they open.”

“Bring the containerized hibiscus indoors before frost. Don’t water and allow the soil to go dry,” he said. “The result will be that all the leaves will fall off the plant. This is good because now the plant has gone dormant. Place the plant in an area that is around 40 to 45 degrees. Check on the soil moisture about every two weeks and if the soil is dry two to three inches down in the pot, add a small amount of water. This will keep the stems from shriveling but not encourage new growth.”

If you can somehow protect your whiskey barrel containers so that they don't get colder than 40 degrees, the plants may survive over the winter. This may take more than wrapping in plastic, but I cannot give any suggestions on what material would help you achieve this. If you cannot do this, I suggest you cut back the top growth, then repot the entire plant in a smaller pot that can be moved inside or in a protected area like a garage or porch where the temperatures will not go below 40 degrees. Thank you for your question."



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