Hibiscus is a beautiful plant that blooms with large, vibrant flowers that come in many colors. In fact, hibiscus is one of the most popular houseplants because it’s easy to care for and grows quickly.
The hardiness of a plant can vary depending on its variety and the climate where it’s grown. Hibiscus is generally considered to be a tropical plant, but some varieties can tolerate colder temperatures.
In general, hibiscus will survive frosty weather as long as it isn’t too severe or lasts too long. If your hibiscus gets frost damage, you may need to prune it back and watch for pests or disease outbreaks after winter ends.
How Tolerant Are Hibiscus To Cold Weather
Hibiscus are tropical plants, so they’re not cold-hardy. They can tolerate temperatures as low as 45 degrees Fahrenheit but should be brought indoors if temperatures dip below that. You can expect your plants to lose some leaves or die back completely if you expose them to freezing temperatures repeatedly.
If your plants have become established and are growing well, you may be able to get away with leaving them outside in the winter. If they do not seem to be flourishing after several months, however, it may be time to bring them indoors permanently.
How To Protect Your Hibiscus From Frost
Frost is a common occurrence in winter. If your hibiscus has not been cut back, it may be damaged by the cold weather. The best way to protect your hibiscus from frost is to cut it back before winter begins and then cover the plant.
Cut Back Your Hibiscus
Cut any stems that are still green during the fall or early winter months. This will prevent them from becoming damaged by frost when winter arrives.
Cover Your Hibiscus
If you live in an area where there is potential for frost, you should cover your hibiscus with a blanket or plastic sheeting to protect it against cold temperatures and winds. This will also help keep moisture in so that the plant does not dry out too quickly.
Caring For Hibiscus During The Winter
If you’re worried about your hibiscus taking a freeze this winter, there’s good news. You can bring your plants indoors and keep them safe in the warmth of your home during the winter months! Here’s how to do it safely:
Bring your hibiscus inside—but be careful not to damage its roots or leaves when doing so. A container works best for moving potted plants, but if you have an outdoor garden bed, dig up as much soil as possible around each plant to minimize transplant shock before moving it into a container with fresh soil. Then move indoors!
Place the plant in a brightly lit room that gets plenty of natural light—and make sure there isn’t any direct sunlight hitting its leaves throughout the day (this could burn them). Keep an eye on temperatures at all times; if they get too cold (below 40°F), bring that plant closer to heat sources like radiators or fireplaces for extra warmth until spring arrives again!
Can I Overwinter Hibiscus?
Hibiscus plants can be left outside through most of the winter if they’re able to withstand colder temperatures. If you live in a mild climate, your hibiscus may survive if you leave it outside all year long.
However, if you live in a colder climate or have had problems with frost in the past, you’ll want to protect your plant from extreme weather conditions by bringing it indoors before the first frost hits.
To overwinter hibiscus indoors:
Move the plant into a cool room with plenty of light but no direct sunlight. A basement or garage works well for this purpose during the winter months because these areas tend not to fluctuate much in temperature throughout the day or night and they provide ample light without direct sunlight shining on them all day long as windows do.
You also don’t have to worry about watering too much or too little while they’re inside.
Conclusion
As you can see, hibiscus is a very hardy plant that can survive frost, but it will need some care. If you are planning on overwintering your hibiscus indoors, then it’s important to keep the plant away from drafty windows or cold air vents. You should also try to give your hibiscus as much light as possible during this time so it doesn’t lose its leaves!
