Can Hibiscus Trees Be Used in Planters?

Container

• If you want the hibiscus to remain fairly small, plant the hibiscus in a pot only one or two sizes larger than the nursery pot. Hibiscus grows in containers as small as 10 inches in diameter and and thrives when slightly root bound. However, to keep the plant compact, it requires regular pruning. If you want the plant to eventually grow larger, move the hibiscus into progressively larger containers when the roots become cramped. Most importantly, be sure the container has a drainage hole in the bottom. Fill the container with a loose, fast-draining potting mixture such as one part peat moss, one part bark and one part perlite or sand.

Feeding

• Hibiscus requires frequent, light feeding. One way to provide the necessary nutrients is to add an all-purpose, water-soluble fertilizer to the water every two weeks. Use a 9-3-13, 10-4-12 or 12-4-18 fertilizer at a rate of 1 tablespoon in 1 gallon of water. You can also add fertilizer with each watering, but use only half the amount of fertilizer per gallon of water. Make the solution even weaker if the plant displays leaves with scorched, brown edges. The key is to provide plenty of nutrients the plant needs to produce blooms without harming the plant.

Pruning

• Prune hibiscus every spring. Cut the plant back by at least one-third of its height, but leave at least two or three nodes -- small bumps where leaves once grew -- on each stem. To train the plant and remove wayward branches that detract from the shape of the plant, locate a node pointing the way you want the branch to grow -- generally facing either up or out -- then cut the branch about 1/4 inch above that node. Always clean pruners with rubbing alcohol or a mixture of one part bleach to 10 parts water before pruning to prevent transfer of bacteria. Similarly, be sure the pruners are sharp because dull pruners may tear the plant tissue and damage the hibiscus.

General Care

• Hibiscus performs best in full-day sunlight and a location away from harsh winds. Although the plant grows in partial shade, blooming is decreased. Hibiscus grown in a container requires watering more frequently than a plant in the ground, especially during hot weather. Water slowly until water runs through the drainage hole, then let the top of soil dry before watering again, as hibiscus doesn't perform well in waterlogged soil. During the winter, water only when the soil is completely dry. To prevent disease, water in the morning so the leaves dry before the temperatures drop in the evening. To keep the plant neat and stimulate blooming, clip wilted blooms before seed heads form. Bring the plant indoors when the temperature drops below 40 degrees Fahrenheit.