Profile
The hibiscus (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis for the most common indoor variety) produces large, colorful, short-lived flowers — each bloom lasts only a day, but a healthy, well-lit plant produces them continuously throughout the growing season. It's one of the most spectacular flowering houseplants when its needs are met.
Light & watering
- Light: very bright, ideally several hours of direct sun — lack of light is the top cause of no flowering
- Watering: keep the soil lightly moist during growth/flowering, cut back significantly in winter
- Sensitive to cold drafts and sudden temperature swings
Care
- Pruning in late winter is recommended to encourage abundant flowering and a compact shape
- Potassium-rich fertilizer during flowering season boosts bloom abundance
- Repot every 1-2 years in spring, in rich, well-draining soil
- Watch for aphids and scale insects, fairly common on this plant
Daily life
Can spend summer outdoors (a well-lit patio or balcony) then come back inside before the first cold snap. Bud drop after a move is common and temporary — the plant adjusts to its new spot within a few weeks.