When to prune hibiscus - and how choosing the wrong time could impact next year’s blooms

There’s nothing better than seeing a hibiscus in full bloom. Vibrant, colourful, and tropical, this plant has some of the best flowers you could hope to add to your garden. But if you want to ensure yours continues to thrive, you need to know when to prune hibiscus.

Mastering the technique of how to prune hibiscus is very important - especially as so many people fail to understand the difference between pruning and cutting back. But in an effort to complete the task without snipping off something they shouldn’t, many people also fail to choose the right time to prune this tropical wonder - and this can have disastrous consequences.

As Petar Ivanov, gardening and plant expert at Fantastic Gardeners, explains, ‘Pruning hibiscus is an important part of the plant's care routine for healthy growth and knowing the right time to do it is crucial for its blooming potential.’ So, this is when to prune hibiscus for bigger and better blooms next year.

When to prune hibiscus

Every plant has different pruning requirements, and knowing when to prune hibiscus is just as important as knowing when to prune roses. But when should you do it? Well, incidentally, the best time to prune hibiscus is around the same time you should be pruning your hydrangeas.

Morris Hankinson, Managing Director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, advises, ‘Hardy hibiscus should be pruned annually, either straight after flowering in autumn but with plenty of time before the first frosts. Or, ideally, at the end of winter or spring as long as the chance of frost has passed, allowing the plant to grow new shoots for flowering the same year. Pruning too close to frosts can prevent new growth from forming.’

That’s why it’s always a good idea to check when the first frost in your area will be if you want to tick this task off your to-do list before winter really rears its head. Alternatively, add this task to your list of gardening jobs to do in March if you’ve missed the boat. But it’s also good to understand why you should be pruning your precious plants.

Morris Hankinson

Morris Hankinson is the founder and managing director of Hopes Grove Nurseries, the UK’s only specialist grower-retailer of hedging plants. He established the thriving business in 1992, shortly after graduating with a Commercial Horticulture Degree from Writtle College, Essex.

'Pruning hibiscus is a great way to keep your shrub in good shape,' continues Fiona Jenkins, garden expert at MyJobQuote.co.uk. 'This ensures the outer branches don’t become too weighty and light and air can get to the centre. Hibiscus plants tend to grow tall, so pruning your plant annually while it’s still young will give you more attractive, bushy growth. Removing the old, dead and diseased branches will keep your hibiscus healthy.’

Morris also suggests mulching the soil after pruning to ensure your hibiscus plant retains its moisture as the weather starts to cool down or heat up. Plus, the mulch will help to prevent weed growth.

Petar Ivanov

Petar Ivanov is one of the company's top-performing experts and manages over six teams of gardeners, delivering stunning landscape results and fostering a deep connection with nature through his work.

When not to prune hibiscus

While there is the perfect time to prune your hibiscus (February to March), it’s also important to understand when you shouldn’t prune hibiscus - just in case you decide to get the secateurs out on a whim.

‘Avoid pruning hibiscus during its active growing season, especially in late spring and summer, because it can reduce blooming and stress the plant,’ warns Petar. ‘Instead, stick to late winter to early spring for your pruning. Also, if you wait too long into spring to prune, you risk cutting off new growth that has already started, so aim for late winter or very early spring before new growth becomes too evident.’

Other times to avoid pruning hibiscus are during any extreme weather conditions. ‘Avoid pruning hibiscus during extremely hot or cold weather because it can stress the plant further. Instead, choose a mild, dry day for your pruning,’ Petar adds.

So, if you wouldn’t head out into the garden without slapping on some SPF or throwing on a coat, you shouldn’t give your hibiscus a trim either.

FAQs

Does hibiscus need to be cut back in winter?

It’s not advised to prune hibiscus before or during the height of winter. Instead, this should be left until late winter/early spring.

‘I recommend avoiding pruning directly after flowering for the majority of outdoor-growing hibiscus plants in the UK. This is in order to prevent the flowers from being damaged by the frost and cold of the winter,’ explains garden pro Steve Chilton from LeisureBench.

Do hibiscus grow better in pots or ground?

Hibiscus can grow happily both in the ground and in pots, but many people choose to grow hibiscus in pots to ensure these tropical plants get the full sunlight and humidity that they love. However, they will still grow well in the ground as long as they’re not planted in a shaded location or in an area of the garden that’s susceptible to frost.

How do I know if my hibiscus is dying?

If your hibiscus is looking a little worse for wear and you’re worried that it may be dying, you should look out for the following signs:

• Wilted leaves.
• Root rot.
• Yellowing leaves.
• Brown or white stems.
• Stunted growth.
• No flowers.

So, happy pruning!