How to Grow Fuschia in Sun/Shade
The bright colorful flowers and trailing habit of fuchsia make them a common choice for hanging baskets and patio pots. Fuchsias originated in South America and prefer cool, mild climates. The red and orange ones are more heat tolerant than the white or blue varieties, but all fuchsia grow best in partial shade, with temperatures between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit. Fuchsia stop blooming when the temperature rises above 76 degrees. Does this Spark an idea?
Other People Are Reading
Instructions
-
-
1
Buy healthy plants with strong stems and flowers. Inspect the leaves for signs of insect damage and avoid any plants with wilted or nibbled leaves.
-
2
Place the fuchsia on a shaded porch or patio. Fuchsias drop flowers and eventually wilt and die in a hot, sunny location.
-
-
3
Water the fuchsia regularly before the soil surface has completely dried out. Fuchsia prefer slightly moist, but not soggy, soil. Reduce watering in the fall if you plan to overwinter the fuchsia indoors. This will signal the fuchsia to slow growth in preparation for the winter rest.
-
4
Fertilize the fuchsia every two to four weeks during active growth with a water-soluble fertilizer, according to package directions. Stop fertilizing the plant two weeks before you plan to bring it indoors.
-
5
Cut the plant back to 6 inches high before bringing it indoors. Inspect it for insects and treat by spraying with a hose or an insecticidal soap. Place the fuchsia in an eastern, northern or western window with bright, indirect sunlight. The plant will stop blooming, but will continue to grow. Water it every two or three weeks.
-
6
Fertilize and water the fuchsia regularly, beginning in mid-spring. Place it outdoors after the last frost.
-
1
Tips & Warnings
Choose a heat-resistant variety if your patio has partial sun. Try cultivars of F. magellanica.
References
Resources
- Photo Credit Jupiterimages/Photos.com/Getty Images
