Keeping Hibiscus Dormant Over the Winter

Treat for Pests

• Any hibiscus plant growing outside potentially harbors insects and pests. You want to avoid bringing these pests indoors to prevent an infestation in your home. If insects or their eggs remain on the plant, they can also infest and destroy it. Even if you have not seen any insects on the plant, spray the hibiscus with insecticidal soap. For further treatment, cut off several inches of the plant's branches, leaving at least 4 inches of stem behind.

Bring the Hibiscus Indoors

• If the hibiscus is in the ground, dig it up and place it in a container to prepare it for overwintering. Leave the hibiscus outside as the weather cools to about 40 or 50 degrees. This triggers the hibiscus to drop its leaves and prepare for winter. Just before the first frost, bring the hibiscus inside and store it in a dark garage, basement or closet. If you do not have a dedicated dark room for the hibiscus, wrap a black trash bag around it and the container.

Winter Care

• Provide occasional watering for the hibiscus as it goes into a semi-dormant state. Hibiscus never truly goes dormant; it simply rests for the winter. During semi-dormancy, do not give the plant any fertilizer. If you do, the plant stops resting and starts growing. Hibiscus can grow indoors during the winter, if desired. Give the plant supplemental light to keep it growing, but do not add fertilizer. If the plant starts to look stressed, this means it is exhausted and needs to rest in a cool, dark place.

Bringing Hibiscus Outside

• When the last frost passes, your hibiscus is ready to return to the outdoors. Never put the hibiscus in full sun right away. At first, put the hibiscus in a partially shady area for a few hours per day to allow it to get used to the natural light. Bring the hibiscus back indoors for the rest of the day. After a week or two, increase the amount of time the plant spends outside until it acclimates to the light and temperature. Apply fertilizer, if desired, to prompt the plant to grow.