Here is the second part of my Potted Hibiscus Series.
Today I am sharing with you how to pot hibiscus step by step, so you can have your own tropical ambiance on the patio, backyard or anywhere you have space!
In case you missed it, the first part was all about how to easily take care of potted hibiscus. As I mentioned in that post, I have been experimenting and growing Hibiscus for over eight years now, and have found the best ways to take care of them so they grow big and healthy. When we lived in Southern California, they grew easily and abundantly. In Texas, it takes more effort to keep them beautiful, but it can be done!
If you don’t already, follow me on snapchat (alexisroch) to see more of my gardening techniques and behind the scenes 🙂
Now, taking care of your plant is one part, but potting it is also crucial. You want to ensure the plant has the best chance for growth and survival. Most of you know that I am a scientist, so I experiment and research every detail of a topic to make sure I bring you the most correct information. So, now I am going to share with you how to pot hibiscus step by step!
Quick chemist note before we start → I studied horticulture in college while getting my chemistry degree. Most of this information is what was taught and information we researched. A few of my garden tips and tricks are also from trial and error, which I share the most tried and true method. At Chemistry Cachet, you can always find easy, non-technical gardening tips! 🙂 Feel free to reach out with questions too!
1. First, always pick out a pot that is really big. At least double or triple the size of the plant you have.
2. Make sure the pot has proper drainage.
If you read my tips on how to care for hibiscus, you know they LOVE water, but they get root rot easy! They need ample space for drainage. I always put a layer of small rocks in the bottom, followed with some wood chips or other light way biodegradable material (so it isn’t quit as heavy).
3. Add just enough soil on top so when you set your plant down inside, the top of it will be a little below the top of bottom (a few inches below top).
4. Next you want to fill in the rest of the space with potting soil. Every few inches of soil you add, tap down with your hand or shovel to tighten it. This will remove any air pockets that may be inside. Add soil until it slightly covers the top of base.
5. Last, make sure to water heavily once all the soil is added. Heavy, but slow so it can soak in.
I usually fill a water pot and over the course of a few minutes, slowly empty it into the pot. If your potting soil has fertilizer in it (I usually buy the kind that does), then you are good to go. If not, add in some slow release fertilizer before you water.
This hibiscus already has some buds on it that will bloom soon! I have potted hibiscus without using these tips, and they don’t look as lush, so I swear by it now!
Hibiscus is the perfect summer flower in my opinion 🙂 I hope you can plant some soon and enjoy some beautiful color this summer. If you like my easy garden tips, make sure to follow me for more great tips. I am always posting pretty flower pictures on instagram too 🙂
To make sure you get all the best summer care tips for your potted flowers, visit this post!
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Let me know if you have questions! What is your favorite summer flower?
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Oh my gosh. I need this tutorial. I planted some for my sister and I think I did it wrong… oops.
When we have a house, I plan to have a few hibiscus. They are SO gorgeous.
Hibiscus are just the perfect summer flower! When we lived in an apartment I had about 5 huge ones on my balcony 🙂 People would stop & stare too! I just love them so much! Now that we live in a house, I still keep them in pots…Texas weather is too much for them! Thanks girl!
I love hibiscus plants, their blooms are so gorgeous! I can’t wait to be able to have a porch to plant flowers.
They do have beautiful blooms! They are definitely my favorite 🙂
I love that color of hibiscus — it’s my favorite! Thanks for sharing your potting tips too! 🙂
Thanks Dee! I love that color too, I think it is the most tropical one!
Beautiful! I would love to let my hibiscus take over my whole yard! But a pot is great, too LOL Thanks so much for taking the time to link up with us over at the #HomeMattersParty – we hope to see you again on Friday!
I’d love it all my yard too! Texas weather keeps that from ever happening, so pots it is lol. But they are still beautiful in pots 🙂 Have a great day Kristen!
Awesome! Thank you for sharing at Waiting on…Wednesday!
Holly @ http://www.iwillservewhileiwait.blogspot.com
Thank you!
Fabulous tips! I love Hibiscus, but unfortunately it does not grow well here in the mountains 🙂 Thank you for sharing your wonderful gardening tips with Roses of Inspiration.
Yeah Hibiscus needs more warm weather to grow good, I can imagine it stays much cooler in the mountains 🙂
Makes me want to get a hibiscus plant. Pinned for later. Thanks for the tutorial.
Thanks Theresa! I love hibiscus, they are beautiful this time of year 🙂
Have you every planted Hibiscus from seed? I live in Memphis Tn where we have hit and humid summers. Thanks for your help. Connie Lumley
I have never planted hibiscus from seed. Our weather is so hot and dry, they really only grow well in pots here in Texas. I usually just transplant them.
What is your favorite brand potting soil with fertilizer for your hibiscus? Just got a new one yesterday but all my others are in the ground. This will be my first in a container.
I usually buy the Miracle-Gro Potting Mix for all my potted flowers. I will use any brand that is made specifically for potted flowers though, they all have the same nutrients in them. My local store always has mircale-gro brand so I stick with that 🙂
We grew up with hibiscus in FL I didn’t think they would grow here in MD. I had one and the flowers were gorgeous. It sat on our porch. I looked up how to move it inside, but alas it died. You said you put yours in the garage in the winter. Does it get really cold there? Where could I put it in the house over winter? Also when you water your plant in the morning, do you water it from the top or water it from the draining dish?
No we have pretty mild winters, but it can get into the teens some nights. Mine have always done well in the garage, but go dormant each time. They come back to life each spring. As long as they have a large pot, with good root system, it will do well anywhere inside. The post I have today has some details on that. I don’t usually have drainage dishes on my plants, except my boston fern for humidity. So, I always just water the leaves and soil 🙂
So when you put your hibiscus in a larger pot, you just put rocks and bark in the bottom? I thought one picture said drainage holes. When you water the plant, doesn’t the water flow out of the pot?
I always use a large pot that’s at least twice the size of the plants base. If a pot doesn’t have drainage holes, you need to add some because that is how excess moisture escapes. The water doesn’t flow out much, but if there is extra water it can have a place to drain. I try to make the bottom of the pot various rocks and wood so the roots won’t be susceptible to root rot. I hope this answers your question okay, let me know if you have anymore 🙂
Hi!
Hope its not too late to reach you since this post was years ago- if so, my email is reacsobe@gmail.com— I was hoping you could help me w/ a ques– the only pot left on my balcony, that always just had rotations of flowers grown from seeds- is also the largest pot I have, so I want to plant the hibiscus I just bought in it. But I didn’t realize until emptying it tonight to put the rocks the bottom as you suggested, that it doesn’t have drainage holes (its a very wide glazed ceramic pot). Very thick, very heavy. Given my lack of options (the rest of my balcony is filled w pots already filled w plants)- will it be ok in a big pot (wider than it is deep, but its a big pot) without drainage holes if I just put the rocks on the bottom? I live in Miami so it can stay outside year round. Have you (or anyone) ever experienced planting one in a pot w/o the drainage holes? or have any advice? Thanks!
It will work for a time, but without drainage holes, it will eventually get root rot even if the pot is larger. Hibiscus needs a lot of water especially in a warm climate, so you wouldn’t be able to water it enough without water collecting at the bottom. It will definitely need holes at the bottom. You can try to drill some without taking hibiscus out, turn it to the side maybe? Not sure how heavy it is. I hope this helps!