How to Keep Hibiscus Blooming | 10 Hibiscus Flowering Tips

Hibiscus is a beautiful, showy plant that can brighten up any garden or indoor space–if you have a sunny windowsill available. Keeping it blooming requires some care and attention, but the stunning flowers and lush foliage make it all worth it.

There are over 200 types of hibiscus, which can be roughly classified into three categories: tropical (Hibiscus rosa-sinensis), commonly known as Chinese hibiscus, hardy perennial (Hibiscus m), and shrub (Hibiscus syriacus), also referred to as Rose of Sharon or Althea.

The tropical variety of hibiscus features smooth, glossy leaves. It is most popular in tropical and subtropical regions, although with proper care, it can also be grown in more temperate areas by overwintering indoors.

Regular deadheading encourages the plant to focus its energy on continuous blooming. By snapping or cutting off spent hibiscus flowers, the plant is able to redirect its energy resources toward producing new blooms, resulting in improved flowering performance.

While deadheading is not mandatory for growing hibiscus, it can help prevent the plant from reseeding and encourage it to produce more flowers.

If you want the best flowers, then don’t shy away from using fertilizers meant for roses and tomatoes for hibiscus.

Since hibiscus plants are tropical in nature, their soil should be kept mildly moist but not overly wet or dry.

If you’re unsure when to water, insert your finger 1-2 inches into the soil. If the soil feels dry or barely moist, it’s time to water. If the soil feels evenly moist or wet, check back the following day before watering again.

Sunlight is extremely important for hibiscus plants to help them flower well. These plants need at least 6-8 hours of direct sunlight each day.

The ideal location