Fuchsias are unforgettable! These incredible plants provide a profusion of flowers in bright, indirect light that most blooming plants won't tolerate. They are perfect for porches and for hanging between buildings in spots where direct sun cannot reach. Since most fuchsias are also graceful arching or trailing plants that look great in a basket or container, they are always in demand. The flowers are mostly in shades of pink, red, purple or white, but some salmon and near orange occur too. There is no blue or true yellow. In many varieties the petals and sepals are of different colors. The blooms may be single or double and range in size from a half-inch long to the size of a tea cup. Some even have variegated foliage. It's hard not to be amazed by a gorgeous double-flowered, trailing fuchsia in bloom, but don't overlook the more subtle beauty of the upright varieties.

Tips for Growing Fuchsias
What are the light requirements for fuchsias?
Fuchsias do best in bright filtered light indoors and light shade outdoors. Once the summer arrives, they will not tolerate the hot, direct afternoon sun.
How much water do they need? They need to be kept moist, but the soil must be well-drained. If the soil has excellent drainage, it is impossible to over water a fuchsia. The surrounding temperature and humidity levels control exactly how much they need. When it is hot and dry they will need to be watered daily.
Do they have any special temperature requirements? Fuchsias prefer the temperature to be between 60º and 70º, cooler at night, but not below 40º. When the summer heat rises to 80º and above, they quit producing new buds and become very susceptible to insects and diseases.
Do fuchsias need much humidity? They need average to high humidity. The higher the temperature, the more important the humidity level is.
How much fertilizer do they require? They should not be fed until they have begun to set buds. Then feed them once a week with a good houseplant fertilizer. Once they are flowering heavily, changing to a bloom booster formulation would be helpful. If you plan on trying to keep your fuchsias for next year, stop feeding them in early September to prepare them for over wintering.
What type of soil do they prefer? Fuchsias can be grown in any good peat-based professional potting mix. Don't use fine-grained potting soils as they don't provide proper drainage.
When should I repot my fuchsia? You should repot it in the spring when new growth begins. If you have maintained it as a houseplant, repot and prune it sometime during January or early February. If you wait until later, you will delay its flowering until midsummer.
Will they need any grooming? Most fuchsias are self-cleaning. That means that they drop spent blooms. If a branch becomes long and unsightly, cut it back to maintain good shape, but don't otherwise prune a fuchsia when it is blooming. It will take twelve weeks for the pruned branch to bloom again.
How are they propagated? Fuchsias are very easy to propagate from tip cuttings taken almost anytime. Tips that are not blooming root the fastest. Snip the blooms off the cuttings if there are no non-blooming tips to use. Remove any leaves that will be below the soil line. With or without using a rooting hormone, stick the cuttings in small pots of a good potting soil and keep them moist and out of the direct sun. They should develop roots in about two to three weeks. Sometimes fuchsias will set seed-filled berries. Most fuchsias sold are hybrids and won't come true from seed, but the berries are edible and are said to taste good.
How can I keep my fuchsia over the winter? Since fuchsias like cool night temperatures and high humidity, they are very stressed in our heated homes in winter. They sulk and are attacked by many insects and diseases. It is much easier to store them as dormant plants in a space that will stay between 40º-55ºF. Cut the branches back to 2 buds from the main stem before frost. Allow the plant to dry almost completely. Water it only enough to keep the wood from shriveling. It can be stored without light at the required temperature. In early March, repot it in fresh soil, bring it into the light and begin to water it. As each new shoot gets three sets of leaves, pinch out the tip. Stop pinching four weeks before our last frost date. The plant can go outside by the end of May.

Troubleshooting Problems with Fuchsias What insects bother fuchsias?
The most frequent pests are aphids and whiteflies. Keeping your fuchsia healthy and happy will make it more resistant to them. It is very hard to get rid of a severe infestation, so watch closely to catch it early and treat either with insecticidal soap or horticultural oil. Having to spray a plant in full bloom can cause the flowers to fall off, another reason to catch a problem early.
The buds are dropping off. What's happening? The plant is too dry or too cold.
Why are the leaves falling off? If the plant is allowed to wilt, even once, it will drop leaves. On the other hand, if there isn't good drainage or it is standing in water, it could develop a root rot that would cause the same symptoms.
The foliage seems pale and there aren't many blooms. Why? Your plant may need fertilizer. They need to be fed regularly during the blooming season.
The plant seems healthy, but it has quit blooming. Is there a problem? When the temperature goes above 80ºF, fuchsias will stop blooming. Prolonged high temperatures can lead to severe stress. Try moving the plant to a cooler, more airy location.

For Additional Information on Fuchsias
Bachman's Information Sheet General Care of Indoor Plants
Bachman's Information Sheet Potting Indoor Plants
Bachman's Information Sheet Signs of Trouble with Indoor Plants
Bachman's Information Sheet Watering Basics for Indoor Plants
Bachman's Information Sheet Indoor Insect and Disease Problems

Recommended Products
Bachman's Exceloam Potting Soil
Bachman's Excel Gro Fertilizer
Bonide Insecticidal Soap
Bonide Horticultural Oil


© Bachman's 2004
Author: Mary Henry and Margaret Purcell, Horticulturists