When I bought this hibiscus more than ten years ago, it was a small standard plant, about waist-high. At one point I accidentally missed a watering, and it dropped all its leaves. Most of the branches died back completely.
But at the very top, one healthy new shoot appeared. I decided to let that one grow straight up, removed all side shoots, and slowly formed a proper trunk. Once the trunk was strong, I let it develop a crown. That’s how this “tree” came to be—completely by accident.
During summer, it always lives outdoors.
When the first frost nights are forecast, I bring it inside. The sudden jump from nighttime temperatures of 41–50°F and daytime temperatures of 50–59°F to a cozy 72°F indoors always upsets my hibiscus. It drops about 80% of its leaves—first they turn yellow, then they fall off.
I’ve learned to use that moment each year to prune it back a little and shape it. The second photo on the left is from November 9, and the one on the right is from six days ago. Within a month, it was full of leaves again. I fertilize lightly during this phase, and then it’s back in business. It’s been doing this cycle for about ten years now.
Much earlier than I expected, today the first flower bloomed. I love having that exotic Hawaiian vibe in the house again.
I can highly recommend hibiscus as an extremely hardy, vigorous, and pruning-tolerant exotic plant. Otherwise, it would never have survived with me.
by happy-rosemary
11 Comments
A highbiscus
Wow this is pretty impressive “accidental” work- you should be proud of the results!!! Super cool.
Very 1970s
High biscuits
Everyone needs a house tree.
Nice tree guvnuh
Does yours get sun or grow lights?
I’m struggling a bit because we’re quite northern and sun isn’t the best. Some got quite some leave drop. Good to know it’s relatively normal.
You’re really rocking that whole Rupert The Bear vibe.
I like your style!
I didn’t know I needed an Hibiscus before this post, but now I’m fairly certain I do. 😂
Tysm for sharing. This is beautiful!
Ours – pink – grows like a weed. Just had to trim it back. No need to be gentle with it.