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Can I overwinter a hardy hibiscus thats in a pot?

17 years ago

It its a new variety 'Pinot Grigio' dinner plate. It bloomed in July, and now has many new buds on it. I would like to leave it in the pot instead of putting it in the ground if its possible. Has anyone here ever left a hibiscus out all winter in a pot? I have a sunny unheated porch off the kitchen. Would that be better than leaving it outside. Its a nice thick plastic pot from Stiens. Thanks to anyone who replys. Judy

Featured Answer

leftwood

17 years ago

Well, another point of view here.

If your porch can fluctuate above and below freezing through the winter, that is not a good thing. Remember how it is recommended to mulch the garden after the ground freezes in fall? That is to prevent freeze/thaw cycles. Those cycles are not good things. An option might be to put it in an insulated box in the porch, and out of the sun (of course).

Assuming the plant winters in the pot undamaged, it is my opinion that having it in a pot will hasten emergence. The soil in the pot warms much faster than the ground ever will. Thus, your hibiscus should emerge earlier.

If it were me, I would sink the pot in the soil, in your garden or whereever. Mulch it well after the ground freezes. In spring, remove the pot after the ground thaws, and you will have a headstart over anything remaining in the cold ground.

Rick

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Comments (7)

aka_margo
17 years ago
I would think the porch would be better than leaving it outside, since someone told me that leaving it in the pot you can drop 2 zones. Hibiscus are very late to come back to begin with, so I don't think leaving it in it's pot is a good idea. My hibiscus bloom from the end of June through almost October sometimes. I just love them!
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Hi Cassiope If you have left your plants just in their pots in storage you will no doubt have lost them to the frost even if they were in the garage. What I would suggest is the following; 1) Stop giving your plants water at least a couple of weeks BEFORE you want to cut them back; 2) Cut your plants back by approximately 2 thirds (making sure that they have at least a couple of buds below the cut; 3) When you cut the plants back use a PVA glue on the cuts to stop the sap bleeding onto the stems; 4) After the glue has set, you should wrap the plants in their pots in newspaper or preferably garden fleece; 5) Place the wrapped plants in a large box which has had all sides (including top and bottom) covered with some form of insulating material (sheets of polystyrene are good for this and if all else fails you can use the material used for packing electrical appliances or the small beads that are sometimes used to fill cushions or bean bags) anything that will insulate. The plants will need checking a couple of times during the winter to make sure that they do not become too dry. Water sparingly and replace the plants until you are happy that you can bring the plants out of their 'hibernation' and start them back into growth. I would like to say that you could keep the plants growing in the house overwinter but unless you have all the conditions correct you will either have stunted growth or leggy growth. Much better to try and give the plants a rest during this period. Sorry I can't be of much help .....but -35 now thats cold!!!!. Tight....
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Ed, its too late in your zone to plant it now and absolutely know it will make it thru the winter. Unless you really mulch it well. Your hardy hibiscus will easily make it through the winter next year. Just keep it in your sun room or porch til the spring and then plant it outside. It might bloom, but probably not. The rose of sharon also, very hardy, You can plant that out next spring too if you want. Almost all hardy hibiscus will live in the ground down to zone 4 with mulch.
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I think if you set up lights, as the others mentioned, in your garage over wintering area it would help a lot. Even cheap $10 T8 four foot double light fixtures from Walmart would help. They also put off some heat that can help warm your garage and a light timer can be as cheap as $4 so they turn on and off when you aren't there to do it. Or if you want less heat the same fixtures can take LED tubes. I have many steel shelving racks in my art studio for thousands of gesneriads year round and all of my various tropical plants come indoors for the winter to share the warmth and lighting. My hibiscus, cinnamon, coffee trees, orchids and more.
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milwdave
17 years ago
I'm assuming this is a hardy hibiscus and not the tropical species (rosa sinensis). I would plant it...save your pots for the tropicals and enjoy them all year in the house.

Dave
milwaukee
gunnysax
Original Author
17 years ago
Thanks eveyone. I planted it in the ground yesterday. I am so glad I asked for your help. Judy
Betty Murray
5 years ago
Hi I am looking for some advice on my hardy hibiscus aa well. I have shrubs and trees that are potted. I live in CT in zone 6b. is it too late in the season to put them in the ground? I currently have them in the shed. The temp is falling into the 30s at night and we've already had a frost. I'm looking for comprehensive overwintering advice. should I wrap them? how far should i cut them back? do they need light and water? thanks!
Yolanda Curry
3 years ago
Hi, I need advice. I have a hardy Hibiscus tree. I get one every year. Last fall I moved from Mpls. To Ohio. I get this tree every year. The very first year after washing it down to bring inside many years ago the trying to keep the spider mites off was overwhelming. Eventually I throw it out. By this time the leaves are falling anyway. This is the first time my tree has a ton of babies along with many blooms as if was July its November. Seriously beautiful! I read about hardy Hibiscus. (never heard of) I brought her inside this afternoon we are expecting a freeze tonight. This is my first year in Ohio I'm not sure if the mites will take over being inside.

I would like to keep her in the house through the winter. What do you suggest. I'm amazed, I told her she was confused - It's me that confused.

This was in July she look the same except much fuller
FrozeBudd_z3/4
3 years ago
Yolanda, I have four hibiscus plants that I bring in and place in the sunny south facing window for the winter. One must keep close watch for spider mites and aphids and I give them a good shower when need be. All are doing well and continuing to grow and produce flowers, I fertilize them otherwise they tend to go yellow and look sickly. I know that some folks have their plants go dormant by keeping in cooler conditions and lower light and reducing the watering as well, though because I have so much sunlight coming into my home, I can keep them growing and happy all winter. Come March or so, I prune stems back to encourage branching and maintain nice busy plants.

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