Dormant hibiscus is a phenomenon frequently encountered in gardens all across the US. What does a dormant hibiscus look like, and how do we take care of it during winter? In this article, we asked hibiscus gardeners worldwide to give us their top tips regarding dormant hibiscus house plants.
In this complete guide, find out how to differentiate a dead hibiscus from a dormant one.
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How to Identify Dormant Hibiscus Plants?
To identify dormant hibiscus plants, start by doing snap and scratch tests. The surface of the brown bark is scratched to see if there is green underneath. The dormant branches are bent double backward to see if they snap back in case of dormancy.
– It Is Green Under Its Bark
Dormant plants usually turn brown to conserve energy. These hibiscus lose their vibrant green color and become dry. This brown appearance makes them appear totally dead and lifeless on the surface. Bark usually forms to protect the plant from the surrounding plunging temperatures.
However, a dormant plant is still alive and green under its protective bark covering. A simple scratch test will reveal green under the brown bark and show that the plant is dormant.
On a young stem, you can make a scratch using your fingernails. In older branches on the lower ends of the stem, you might have to use a knife to scratch the brown off.
– Its Branches Are Still Flexible
Being flexible enough to bend to certain extents shows how healthy and vital a plant’s branches are. Dead plants turn brown and dry due to a lack of fluid flowing through their veins. They become so stiff that they cannot bend and snap into two parts instead.
You can tell if the hibiscus is dormant by performing a simple snap test of any branches. Take hold of a branch and bend it back over itself gently but firmly. Then leave it and see if it bounces back. A dormant hibiscus branch will snap back into place easily, but a dead one will snap into two parts.
– Check Its Leaves
The leaves can tell a lot about a plant’s health and condition just by looking at them. Yellow leaves are nothing to worry about because they occur in many conditions, like underwatering, over-watering, and dormancy. When a hibiscus becomes dormant, its leaves may or may not turn yellow.
In most cases, the leaves naturally shed most of their leaves. This is done in order to conserve energy as much as possible until springtime.
– See if It Grows Back After Pruning
Hardy hibiscus are perennials in nature, meaning they regrow from the roots every spring. So even if all of their leaves turn brown and fall off, the plant will still turn green early into spring. Plants that are not perennials usually continue their growth from their stems instead.
It is easy to identify a hibiscus that is undergoing dormancy by looking for new buds and growth near the ground. Often, it requires taking a pair of shears and cutting down all the extra leaves and branches. Cutting off the dormant and brown branches will also promote new growth and help the plants turn green again.
– It Will Turn Green in Spring
Tropical hibiscus and all other varieties are perennials. This means they become dormant during harsh winters and start growing again in spring. All you have to do is wait until the winter thaw is over to see if the seemingly dead plant wakes up again.
– It Will Have Healthy Roots
A dormant plant like hibiscus always tricks the observer into thinking it is dead. Contrarily, its roots will be alive and thriving under the ground simultaneously. If the snap and scratch tests are inconclusive, inspect the roots to see if they are vital.
This method is invasive as it involves taking the root ball out of the soil and inspecting it readily. Healthy roots are supposed to be white-colored and strong-looking. This is also how the roots of a dormant hibiscus appear.
How to Take Care of a Dormant Hibiscus in Winters?
To take care of a dormant hibiscus in winter, do not fertilize at all and cut back significantly on watering it. Provide the dormant plant with at least 50 percent humidity during this time and ensure it does not get infested or infected.
– Cut Back on Watering It
Hibiscuses need a lot of water for their growth and blooms during spring and summer. They must be watered at least two times a week, even during moderate summers. Once they become dormant, their watering must be significantly reduced as part of their care. First, stick a finger two inches deep in the soil and then water the hibiscus if it comes out dry.
Sticking to the same summer schedule will cause overwatering and might cause lethal hibiscus root rot.
– Keep It From Drying
Although it is wise to bring a hibiscus inside the house during winter, it is at risk of drying there. The air inside the house is arid due to radiators and heaters. The dormant plant is already under stress and being watered less than its winter amount. The dry air can cause it to die instead of staying dormant over winter.
Maintaining a moderate humidity level, around 60 to 70 percent, should be a top priority for dormant hibiscus care. The easiest way to maintain high humidity is to use a humidifier that stays on within the room for most of the day. Huddling all the indoor plants together and placing pebble trays under them is a cheaper alternative.
– Save Them From Cold Drafts
The only reason this plant undergoes dormancy is to protect itself from harsh winters. So keep it indoors but away from cold air drafts from the window or the air conditions. This plant will go into dormancy even during summer if held too near an air conditioner.
Take into example the proven winners two gal. white pillar hibiscus shrub. This variety should be kept between 65 to 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the daytime and at least 50 degrees Fahrenheit during nighttime. The exact temperature range is true for almost all other hibiscus varieties.
– Prune Them in the Fall
According to the US Department of Agriculture, this plant is ideal for growth in hardiness zones four to nine. This means it begins to undergo dormancy around the early fall season and comes out in early spring. Early fall is the best time to carry out a planned pruning of this plant ahead of its winter-long dormancy.
Pruning shears are the ideal tools for pruning hibiscus leaves and stems. Ensure the shears are disinfected properly because a dormant plant cannot fight infections on its own. This helps the hibiscus survive the winters ahead by reducing its nutrition load.
– Bring Dormant Hibiscus Indoors
Potted hibiscus must be transported indoors during freezing and harsh winters. Doing so may prevent them from going dormant during winter. If you live someplace with frosty winters, move the hibiscus pots indoors, at the very least, at the start of September.
A proper winter mulch about eight inches deep keeps the roots warm enough during dormancy.
– Protect From Pests and Diseases
All flower lovers know that the expected proven winners two gal. sugar-tip hibiscus shrubs are susceptible to pest attacks. A dormant plant is not strong enough to survive being attacked by pests and infections. The most common bugs affecting this plant are house pests like aphids, mealybugs, and spider mites.
Take a closer look under the leaves and stem sheaths of the hibiscus to look for signs of bugs. Getting help from natural pesticides like neem oil is better than relying on chemical hibiscus pesticides.
– Do Not Fertilize
No, fertilizing a dormant plant will not bring it out of dormancy and turn it green. First of all, there is no need for fertilizer because the plant’s metabolism is already slowed down. This can be downright dangerous and end up causing severe burns to the plant.
The plant is resting, and all these extra nutrients will overwhelm it. Everyone needs to stop feeding their hibiscus the moment they become dormant until they break dormancy in spring.
FAQs
– How Long Is Hibiscus Usually Dormant For?
A hibiscus is usually dormant for about three to five months, depending on the length of winters in your area. This plant starts to go dormant at the beginning or middle of the fall season, and this dormancy usually lasts till early springtime.
– Can Dormant Hibiscus Grow Without Sunlight?
No, even a dormant hibiscus cannot grow without sunlight. It needs at least six hours of partial light indoors in order to survive and not die. A standard, dormant hibiscus needs six hours of direct sunlight daily.
Conclusion
To conclude, it is normal for hardy hibiscus to undergo a long winter dormancy period. Here is a brief recap of all the hibiscus dormancy-related information that we have discussed so far:
- All hibiscus varieties, like the 2 gal. purple flower hardy hibiscus plants go dormant in the winter season.
- Carry out the snap or the scratch test to answer the question, ‘Is my hibiscus dead or dormant?’
- Once it goes dormant, decrease watering it and stop fertilizing altogether.
After reading this article, you have finally learned how to take care of hibiscus in winter outdoors and indoors as it goes dormant.