Do my hibiscus buds need to be pruned?

No, do not prune the buds. If they are falling off, it is usually due to inconsistent watering or sudden temperature changes.

How long do the flowers last?

Tropical hibiscus flowers are beautiful but short lived, usually lasting only one to two days. A healthy plant will produce a constant succession of new blooms.

Tropical Hibiscus: not flowering, causes and fixes

Check these first

Measure how many hours of direct sun the plant gets each day.
Check the fertilizer label to see if it is high in nitrogen.
Inspect the buds to see if they are dropping off before they open.

Likely causes

Insufficient Light
Most likely
How to tell: The plant looks healthy but produces only leaves and no buds. It may also start to look stretched out or leggy.
What to do: Move the plant to a spot that receives at least six to eight hours of direct sunlight daily. If you are growing it indoors, place it in your brightest south facing window.
Improper Fertilizer
Possible
How to tell: The plant has plenty of light but still refuses to bloom. The leaves might be dark green, suggesting too much nitrogen.
What to do: Switch to a fertilizer with a higher middle number, like a 10-20-10, which promotes blooming. Avoid high nitrogen fertilizers that only encourage leaf growth.

Other plants that won't flower

Find out what's wrong with your tropical hibiscus

The list above covers the usual causes. Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your actual plant and tells you the likely cause, how serious it is, and what to try first. Identification and a health check are free.

When to worry

It is normal for the plant to stop blooming during the darker, cooler winter months. Worry if it fails to bloom during the peak of summer when light levels are high.

Stopping it coming back

Ensure the plant gets full sun all day and use a bloom boosting fertilizer during the active growing season.

Tropical Hibiscus: not flowering? Check yours with a photo

Every plant is a little different. Take a photo of your tropical hibiscus and Pocket Botanist tells you which cause is most likely, how serious it is, and what to try first. A few checks a day are free. Save the plant and you get care reminders timed for it.

Get the app · Or check it from a photo now, free

Questions people ask

Do my hibiscus buds need to be pruned?: No, do not prune the buds. If they are falling off, it is usually due to inconsistent watering or sudden temperature changes.
How long do the flowers last?: Tropical hibiscus flowers are beautiful but short lived, usually lasting only one to two days. A healthy plant will produce a constant succession of new blooms.

Why is my tropical hibiscus not producing flowers?