How to Care for Fushia Flowers

Fuchsia require very little care.

Fuchsia is a type of fragrant, flowering plant that is native to Mexico, Chile and Argentina. In the United States, fuchsia is primarily grown as a potted plant so that it can be overwintered indoors. Fuchsia's graceful, drooping stems and colorful bell-shaped flowers make it a stunning addition to container gardens in any climate. Fuchsia is especially popular in the spring, and it is often given as a Mother's Day gift. Caring for fuchsia is quite simple.

Things You'll Need

• Garden hose or watering can
• Water-soluble fertilizer
• Planting container
• Potting compost
• Peat moss
• Perlite
• Coarse builder's sand

Instructions

1. Position your potted fuchsia on a porch or patio where it can receive up to six hours of filtered sunlight each day. Make sure that the location you select for your fuchsia provides your flowers with at least partial protection from the hot afternoon sun.

2. Water your potted fuchsia regularly during its growing season. Allow the surface of the soil to dry out between watering.

3. Fertilize your potted fuchsia flowers with a water-soluble fertilizer every two to four weeks during its growing season. For best results, apply fertilizer to your potted fuchsia according to package directions. Stop fertilizing your fuchsia at least two weeks before the first fall frost.

4. Pinch back new fuchsia shoots to encourage your plant to branch out and produce stronger, healthier foliage. Wait for each new shoot to form two complete sets of leaves before pinching them back. Stop pinching back your fuchsia shoots at least one month before the first fall frost to allow your plant to heal completely before the onset of cold weather.

5. Bring your potted fuchsia inside before the first fall frost so that it can spend the winter indoors. Situate your fuchsia 4 to 8 feet from an east, west or south-facing window where it will receive at least four hours of bright, indirect sunlight each day. Set the temperature of your home to between 45 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit to keep your fuchsia comfortable. Water your potted fuchsia just enough to keep its growing medium from drying out completely during the winter. Move your potted fuchsia plant back to its previous position in the spring, after the last threat of frost has passed.

6. Repot your fuchsia flowers in the spring, once new growth is observed. Replant your fuchsia in a planting container just one size larger than the previous container it was planted in. Use a growing medium composed of equal parts potting compost, peat moss, perlite and coarse builder's sand.

Tips & Warnings

• Hose down your potted fuchsia with a garden hose to remove insect pests before bringing your fuchsia indoors for the winter.

• Pinch dead blossoms off of your fuchsia, as needed, to maintain the appearance of your plant and encourage it to produce more flowers.

• Temperatures above 76 degrees Fahrenheit will cause your fuchsia to stop producing flowers. Bring your fuchsia indoors if outdoor temperatures prove to be too hot.

References

• Clemson University: Fuchsia
• Washington State University: Fuchsias
• NC State University: Fuchsia x hybrida