How to Grow a Standard Hibiscus

Select a container that is one size larger than the container the hibiscus is being grown in. For instance, if the plant is in a 1 gallon container, repot it in a container that is no more than 2 gallons in size. The container must have drainage holes on the bottom for drainage.

Use a commercial potting soil or make your own with equal parts of garden soil, peat moss and perlite. Fill the container 1/4 of the way up with the soil. Make a mound in the center of the soil. Place the hibiscus in the soil, carefully spreading out the roots over the mound. Keep the crown, where the roots and stem meet, above the soil. Fill in with soil around the roots and pat it down to hold the plant in place.

Keep the plant in temperatures that don’t drop below 50 degrees Fahrenheit. The ideal temperature for blooming and growth is between 60 and 90 degrees. When temperatures go above 95 degrees Fahrenheit, buds will drop from the plant.

Water the plant more often during high temperatures (80 and 90 degrees Fahrenheit) to keep the soil moist, but not wet. When temperatures are on the cooler side (60 degrees), don't water the plant until the soil is slightly dry to prevent fungus diseases that can develop when the soil is moist and temperatures are cooler. .

Fertilize the hibiscus once a month with a 17-5-24 (nitrogen-phosphorous-potassium) fertilizer that contains manganese, copper and iron. You can use a slow-release fertilizer once every three to four months. Do not use bloom booster or superbloom fertilizers because these contain high amounts of phosphorus, which is damaging for hibiscus plant.

Place hibiscus in a location where it will receive at least two hours of direct sunlight to promote profuse blooming.

Prune the plant during early spring to keep the spherical shape of its canopy. Trim back any stems that stick out and obscure the shape.