How to Transplant Hibiscus to Bigger Pots

Hibiscus plants feature large tropical blooms and grow well in containers.

Hibiscus is a flowering shrub that grows 12 inches to 5 feet in height and blooms with large frilly tropical flowers. Northern gardeners can easily grow hibiscus in containers and bring them indoors during the winter to ensure that they bloom bigger and better next year. Eventually, however, all container-grown plants grow too big and must be transplanted into a larger pot. The hibiscus blooms best when slightly pot-bound and must be re-potted only when the roots are very crowded.

Things You'll Need

• Knife
• Pot
• Potting soil
• Small pot
• Water
• Perlite
• Sand

Instructions

1. Check for signs of crowded roots in the spring by inspecting the container's drain holes for stray roots seeking more room.

2. Place the potted plant on its side and carefully insert a long, sharp knife into the soil along the edge of the pot; run the knife along the side of the pot to loosen the root ball until it slides out. If the roots are a solid mass or they spiral around the bottom of the pot, it is time to transplant the hibiscus.

3. Choose a pot that is 2 inches larger than the original pot. For example, if the hibiscus is located in a 10-inch pot, choose a 12-inch pot for the transplant. Be certain that the pot has adequate drain holes.

4. Use a potting mix that drains well. Test it by filling a small pot with the mix and pouring 1 to 2 inches of water in. If the water soaks into and drains from the soil within a minute or two, it is good mix. If not, additions of perlite and sand will help enhance the soil's draining abilities.

5. Place a few inches of potting mix into the bottom of the new pot and shake the pot so that the soil settles.

6. Place the plant into the pot and test for depth. It should sit 2 inches lower than the pot rim. If it sits lower than 2 inches, add more potting mix to the pot's bottom.

7. Fill in the sides of the pot with potting mix and tap to help the soil settle into the pot to fill all air pockets.

8. Water the hibiscus well; keep it evenly moist and out of direct sun for a few days so that it gets used to its new environment, then set it in full sun.

Tips & Warnings

• You can keep a hibiscus in its original pot instead of transplanting it by pruning the roots and branches. Prune branches above a branch node to keep the plant's shape compact. To prune roots, slip the plant out of the container. Sterilize a sharp knife by dipping it into alcohol and cut the bottom 2 inches off of the root ball. Add 2 inches of fresh potting mix to the pot and replace the plant.

• Do not transplant hibiscus plants into a container more than 2 inches larger than its previous home as unused soil can develop microbes and turn sour, killing the plant.

References

• Alabama Cooperative Extension; Hibiscus: A Plant that Blooms All Year; Dr. Dave Williams
• National Gardening Association; Gone to Pot; Kim Horwath; March 24, 2011
• Hidden Valley Hibiscus: Potting and Planting Hibiscus
• Bachman's: Tropical Hibiscus
• International Hibiscus Society; Hibiscus Repotting; Richard Johnson; January/March 2003

Resources

• Read this Article in Spanish
• NGA; Perennial Hibiscus Heats Up in Summer with Blazing Color; Skip Richter; May 2002