Hibiscus, commonly known as Rose Mallow, is a popular ornamental plant known for its colorful flowers.
It can be upsetting when our beautiful plants don’t flower.
The same goes with the Hibiscus. If you are wondering why is my Hibiscus not blooming, you are at the right spot!
Today, we are going to dive just into that.
Insufficient light is one of the biggest causes of Hibiscus not blooming. Hibiscus plants require at least six hours of direct sunlight daily for healthy development and flowering. Your plant may not bloom if it does not receive enough sunshine.
Other factors, including improper watering, low temperatures, under or overfertilization, and illness, are why your Hibiscus is not blooming.
Most of the time, your Hibiscus will bloom if you ensure it receives proper care and growing environments, such as bright sunlight, constant watering, and proper temperature range. In addition, fertilize the plant regularly using a balanced fertilizer and inspect it for signs of infection or pest infestation.
Why is my Hibiscus not blooming, you say?
Let’s uncover the underlying reasons and solve the case once and for all!
Why Is My Hibiscus Not Blooming?
A Hibiscus plant without flowers is disappointing, especially if you’ve provided it with diligent care.
So, knowing why your Hibiscus is not blooming will be beneficial to mitigate the problem and help the plant bloom at its best.
Below are the reasons for the Hibiscus plant not blooming:
1. Sunlight
Hibiscus plant thrives in full sun as it is native to warm and humid tropical and subtropical climates of Asia.
- If you want a Hibiscus full of fragrant flowers, you must ensure that the plant gets enough sunlight.
- Hibiscus plants demand 6 hours of direct sunlight daily for good flower growth.
- So, if your Hibiscus plant grows under less light, it will not flower at its full potential.
- If planted in a shady area, the Hibiscus plant suffers from stress, preventing it from flowering.
- If you’re planting Hibiscus indoors, make sure to place it near the sunniest window of your house.
- Moreover, use artificial lighting to compensate for inadequate light.
Now, let’s move to the next point.
2. Improper Watering
If you overwater it, there’s less chance that it will grow beautiful flowers.
Also, if you do not water your Hibiscus plant enough, it will not bloom. Underwatering and soil not retaining enough moisture cause drought stress in Hibiscus plants, causing the roots of the plant to drain too fast, reducing flowering and overall plant growth.
Water your Hibiscus plant at least three times a week.
During summer, you might need to water your plants daily. However, the frequency of water varies with climate and temperature.
To determine how fast your soil dries and when to water the plant, regularly test the soil’s moisture to a finger depth. If you find the soil dry, water it thoroughly. If you find the soil is still moist, don’t water for some time.
Doing this will ensure you properly water your plant.
3. Low Temperature & Humidity
As a tropical plant, Hibiscus prefers warmer climates—it might not thrive in locations with lower temperatures.
Hibiscus grows best in temperatures between 60–80 degrees Fahrenheit.
So, if the outdoor temperature decreases during colder months, you must bring your Hibiscus indoors and provide the optimum temperature for the plant to bloom. When the temperatures rise again, bring your plant outdoors for a good amount of sunlight.
Humidity is another factor that prevents Hibiscus from flowering well.
Hibiscus thrives best in moderate to high humidity. You don’t really have control over outdoor humidity levels. But, if you’re growing your plant indoors, make sure to provide them with high moisture levels for proper flowering.
You can make use of an electric humidifier for this purpose.
4. Improper Fertilization
Feeding the right amount of fertilizers is essential for the Hibiscus plant to receive proper nutrition.
- If not done in the right amount, the plant can get excess or less nutrition and will not grow flowers.
- Excess nitrogen in the soil makes Hibiscus grow foliage instead of blooms.
- Also, excess phosphorus causes the roots of Hibiscus plants to avoid other essential nutrients. That also causes the plants not to bloom well.
- Using a well-balanced fertilizer at half-strength to get the right mix is essential.
Use a water-soluble fertilizer to spread the minerals around the soil properly.
5. Pests Infestation
Hibiscus is quite resistant to pests and diseases, but if the plant is under stress due to overwatering, inadequate sunlight, excess fertilizer, or any other reason, it will get more prone to pest infestations and diseases.
These pests and diseases prevent Hibiscus from blooming at its best.
Growgardener Note: Excess nitrogen in fertilizer causes softer foliage growth, attracting pests such as Mealy Bugs, Spider Mites, Thrips, and Aphids.
Let’s see what pests affect Hibiscus plants.
Pests Affecting the Hibiscus Plant!
Japanese beetles are one of the most common perpetrators.
These pests typically begin infesting Hibiscus flowers in early July and can last for a month.
They are seen attacking both fresh flower buds and fully developed flowers, causing severe damage.
It is critical to inspect the undersides of the flowers for Japanese beetles or any other pests that may be present. Japanese beetles are worms that mature into adult beetles in your lawn.
Controlling pest infestation in your yard is vital to avoid them from destroying your Hibiscus.
“To get rid of Japanese beetles on your Hibiscus, remove them off the flowers and blow them or flick them into a cup of soapy water. This must be done daily to ensure these beetles do not harm further.”
Whiteflies, Aphids, and Mealybugs are other pests that can harm Hibiscus plants.
All of these pests can be effectively treated using insecticidal soap. Though some gardeners dislike the fragrance, neem oil can also be used.
Overall, it is essential to make preventative efforts to keep these pests away from your Hibiscus flowers, whether that means getting rid of the immature worms in your grass or treating infestations with suitable measures.
What to Do If My Hibiscus Is Not Blooming?
Here are some things to consider:
1. Proper Sunlight
It is essential to provide proper light to your Hibiscus for it to thrive and bloom vividly.
- Full sun to medium shade is ideal for your Hibiscus, as full sun promotes growth in Hibiscus plants.
- If you’re growing Hibiscus indoors, place it near the brightest window available.
- When transferring a Hibiscus from indoors to outdoors, it is important to let the plant gradually adapt to the environment to avoid sun scorch, which can result in white patches on the leaves. Begin by keeping the plant in complete shadow for a few days before gradually increasing sun exposure.
- If you reside in an area with a lot of sunlight and hot weather, you may only need to give your Hibiscus half a day of sun exposure.
Let’s take a look at some other solutions.
2. Repotting
When you buy a Hibiscus plant from a garden center, it is usually root-bound, which means it is growing in a small pot with overloaded roots.
- Moving the plant into a pot that is at least two inches larger than the original container would work best. This will also help the plant absorb adequate water and stay hydrated, avoiding any additional problems.
- Failing to repot a root-bound Hibiscus might result in insufficient hydration, affecting its growth and health.
- Use a decent potting mix to provide your plant with proper drainage and help it thrive.
It’s time to look at watering.
3. Watering
Proper watering is essential to Hibiscus care, especially in hot, dry conditions.
- If you are growing Hibiscus in pots outside, you must water them daily. Failure to do so can cause wilting and yellowing of the leaves and complete leaf loss.
- To encourage good development, keep the soil evenly moist, allowing only the top inch or two to dry before watering again.
- It is recommended to keep the potting mix moist and to avoid extreme soil moisture.
And lastly,
4. Proper Drainage
Proper drainage is essential for preventing root rot.
- Grow Hibiscus in pots with drainage holes, as plants that lie in standing water for extended periods of time are more prone to root rot.
- Hence, it is crucial to water your Hibiscus in a balanced manner, ensuring that the plant receives enough water to sustain healthy growth while allowing sufficient drainage to prevent root rot.
That said, let’s see how to revive flowers in your Hibiscus plant.
How to Revive Flowers in Hibiscus Plant?
If you’re confused about why is my Hibiscus not blooming, follow these steps:
- Hibiscus plants demand well-draining soil—ensure it’s moist but not wet.
- Hibiscus plants require bright, indirect light—if the plant is not receiving enough light, relocate it to a brighter location.
- Remove any dead or yellow leaves that are sucking energy from the rest of your plant.
- Hibiscus plants require regular fertilization—apply a balanced fertilizer every 4 to 6 weeks during the growing season.
- Spider Mites and Aphids, for example, can harm a Hibiscus plant—examine for pests and treat them as necessary.
- Hibiscus plants usually require good air circulation to grow—ensure there is enough room around the plant to grow effortlessly.
It may take some time to revive a dead Hibiscus plant. So, be patient and continue providing good care; the plant will eventually recover.
Just give them the finest care for healthy development and gorgeous flowers.
Why Do Hibiscus Flowers Have a Short Lifespan?
Hibiscus flowers are well-known for their lovely and fragrant blossoms, yet they have a short lifespan. Hibiscus flowers typically survive for a whole day, though some newer types may last a little longer.
This is how nature built these plants, so you can do nothing to make your Hibiscus bloom for longer.
To maintain your Hibiscus plant at its best, deadhead the flowers daily. This will keep your plant neat by preventing wasted flowers from overwhelming the leaves and attracting pests and illnesses.
Deadheading should be done as soon as possible to keep the flowers from rotting on the plant. If not, it makes the plant look messy and attracts pests and diseases.
When deadheading, remove the flower’s base to prevent seed pods from growing and sucking energy away from the plant. That will assist in keeping your Hibiscus plant healthy and vibrant, with enough energy to produce more lovely flowers.
With Hibiscus flowering or not flowering, deadheading is still necessary for your plant to look best.
Your Hibiscus will continue to bloom and bring beauty and fragrance to your garden for many years if properly cared for.
Final Words!
It is obvious to wonder, “Why is my Hibiscus not blooming?” if you’re putting in the effort but still don’t see beautiful flowers in the garden.
Improper lighting conditions, over or under-watering, improper fertilization, and pest infestation are the main reasons why Hibiscus doesn’t bloom. Maintaining proper lighting, giving it adequate water, and avoiding pest infestation will help your Hibiscus plant grow flowers. Also, use the right amount of fertilizers to boost the results.
I hope you liked today’s article.
If you want to know more about Hibiscus plants, visit our blog.
Regards!