How & When to Fertilize Hardy Hibiscus

Types of Fertilizer

• You need to use two different types of fertilizer when growing the hardy hibiscus. More than one is necessary due to differing times of the year and the kinds of minerals that are depleted typically from the soil at those times of the year. From early spring when they are first planted up to July, you need to use a fertilizer rich in nitrogen because it gives hardy hibiscus plants the nutrients and minerals they need for the development of buds that will not be stunted or stopped short. Once July is past, switch over to a fertilizer that is rich in phosphorus rather than nitrogen, as phosphorus in particular will facilitate in the flourishing of flowers that are already in bloom.
  
  

How Fertilizers are Used

• Fertilizing hardy hibiscus plants is not very difficult. Fertilizers will come in the form of a dry, packaged, powdery substance roughly the consistency of soil. The fertilizer is mixed into the soil surrounding the hardy hibiscus plants. Some particular fertilizers must be mixed in lesser amounts than others; usually a bit less of the nitrogen fertilizer will be used than the phosphorus fertilizer. The ratio for phosphorus fertilizer to soil should be around 1:1, and the ratio for nitrogen fertilizer to soil should be a little less. The packaged fertilizer will include more specific instructions.
  
  

When to Fertilize

• Growing hardy hibiscus may start with actually planting seeds, but using a good fertilizer from the start is a big part of making sure of success. Plant the hardy hibiscus in early spring, and use the fertilizer at this time. This will be the nitrogen rich fertilizer. Reapply it to carry the plant over 3 weeks. Around mid July, use the phosphorus rich fertilizer. Use this second fertilizer as soon as the hardy hibiscus starts to show signs of blooming. This may come earlier or later, but it typically will fall in the middle of July if the plant is put in the ground promptly in early spring. Reapply the second fertilizer about every 3 weeks.
  
  

Other Considerations

• Fertilizer alone is not enough for successfully growing hardy hibiscus plants. In addition to good fertilizer, the plant will need a good source of light, so don't plant it in an area that receives shade for most of the day. In terms of irrigation, water the plant at least once a day and more if the surrounding soil appears to be dry. It is susceptible to overwatering, so make sure that the soil it is planted in drains well or else modify your watering practices as necessary.