We have readers from all over the world and receive their queries daily in our email inbox. Recently, a reader from the state of Florida wrote to me asking how and when to prune hibiscus in Florida. Florida has excellent weather for hibiscus, and that is why in this article, I will explain how and when to prune hibiscus in Florida correctly.
The ideal temperature for hibiscus is between 55 °F and 70 °F (13 °C and 21 °C), which makes the state of Florida ideal for hibiscus. In Florida, you can grow your hibiscus outdoors without any problem. In other states, you will need to grow hibiscus in pots to move them inside or protect them during the winter for overwintering.
Table of Contents
How and When to Prune Hibiscus in Florida
Hibiscus pruning promotes proper hibiscus growth and development. The weather in Florida is ideal for hibiscus because it is warm and humid during most of the year.
Florida winters are short and mild, which is an advantage for hibiscus, which does not receive extreme cold or frost. Continue reading to learn how and when to prune hibiscus in Florida.
When to Prune Hibiscus in Florida
The best time to prune hibiscus in Florida is early spring. Pruning the hibiscus will encourage the development and growth of hibiscus. Depending on where you live in Florida, the timing of hibiscus pruning will be a little different.
For example, if you live in the South Florida area around Miami or Fort Lauderdale, you can prune your hibiscus in early spring. On the other hand, if you live in northern Florida, such as Tallahassee, I recommend waiting a bit and pruning the hibiscus in late March.
Check when the last frost is where you live to ensure the correct time to prune hibiscus in Florida. Pruning hibiscus in the spring will promote the plant’s growth and new flowers.
How to Prune Hibiscus in Florida
To start pruning hibiscus in Florida, you need clean pruning shears and a saw if your hibiscus already has thick branches. The tools must always be sharp and disinfected. The sharpness of the tool is very important to make a perfect cut and not damage the hibiscus.
Don’t start cutting branches without planning, or the hibiscus will end up with a strange and unattractive shape. Take some time to observe the hibiscus and define what you will cut.
The first thing to cut will be the diseased, dead, or pest-attacked branches. Observe and cut those branches first. I recommend wearing gloves and protective goggles when pruning hibiscus. These are among the essential gardening tools every gardener should have.
Cut the hibiscus stems at a 45-degree angle at about 1/3 of their length. Repeat the process until the desired hibiscus branches are cut. Annual pruning of the hibiscus is recommended to encourage the development of the plant.
When you see the hibiscus growing in the spring and summer, it is advisable to apply fertilizer. The fertilizer will help the hibiscus develop and prepare it for autumn and winter. I recommend you read our article about the best fertilizer for hibiscus in Florida.
With these tips, you now know how and when to prune hibiscus in Florida. Always use sharp, disinfected tools when pruning hibiscus. Learn more about pruning the Rose of Sharon.
Final Conclusions
As you learned in the previous paragraphs, the best time to prune hibiscus in Florida is in the spring. You just need to make sure when the last frost will be in the area where you live.
I hope this article on how and when to prune hibiscus in Florida will be helpful. I recommend our article about yellow leaves on hibiscus and when to prune hibiscus for winter.
Pin it for later!
