To maintain a healthy plant, the soil must be kept evenly moist at all times. In hot weather, this may mean watering every day. Misting the leaves adds must appreciated humidity, as well as cleaning the leaf surface. The hibiscus plant needs fertilizer to bloom profusely and remain healthy. Use Bachman's Excel Gro water soluble fertilizer once a week during the Summer. If you have alkaline water, like most of us in the Twin Cities area, use Excel Gro Acid Formula fertilizer once a month. For weekly fertilizing use a high phosphorus formula such as Excel Gro 15-30-15 to promote more bloom.

Plants that become stressed due to lack of water or fertilizer may become infested with spider mites, aphids, or white flies. Monitor the plant closely so you can deal with problems as they occur. This will minimize damage to the quality of the hibiscus and limit the use of insecticides.

Pruning back the tops of the branches will encourage a dense-growing shrub. Hibiscus can be over-wintered in a sunny location in the house. Hibiscus bloom on the ends of the branches. If the tips of the branches are pruned in Spring or early Summer, it will delay flowering until mid-June or July. Pruning Hibiscus in the Fall may reduce bloom over the Winter, but the plant will be ready to bloom for Spring.

For further information, read online our care sheet on "Tropical Hibiscus", and "Insect and Diseases on Indoor Plants".

Revised: 03/10/98