My Hibiscus Is Dying – What To Do?

Hibiscus are tropical plants requiring full sunlight, wet soil, constant warm temperatures, higher humidity, and drafts or wind to thrive. But do you know what to do with them if they are dying? You don't have to worry if you don't have any idea. We have conducted thorough research on how to revive a failing hibiscus.

To revive a dying hibiscus, you must:

  1. Keep the soil moist by watering the hibiscus plant as needed.
  2. Thoroughly and consistently water your hibiscus.
  3. You should always plant hibiscus in a container at least 12 inches across and with the same proportionate depth.
  4. You should only plant your hibiscus in soil with lots of organic matter.
  5. Add a two-inch layer of organic mulch to your hibiscus.
  6. Plant your hibiscus in excellent potting soil, preferably one that can retain moisture.
  7. To boost humidity, you should sprinkle the hibiscus with mist.

These are the things you should do to revive your hibiscus plants. However, if you want a further explanation and to know hibiscus better, it would be best if you keep reading. Some of your additional questions might also get answered by doing such.

Red hibiscus flower on a green background. In the tropical garden, My Hibiscus Is Dying - What To Do?

How To Revive A Dying Hibiscus?

If you have ignored your hibiscus from drying for too long, then that is the reason why it is dying. The key to remember if you have hibiscus plants is always to keep them well-watered. Below are the practical tips that you can do to revive your precious hibiscus.

Hibiscus dying but still blooming

1. Keep the Soil Moist

The frequency with which you should water your hibiscus will depend upon the conditions in which the plant grows and the climate. So, it would be best to keep an eye on the soil around your hibiscus to see if it is damp enough. If you notice that the top layer is starting to dry, it would immensely help if you give it a good soak.

2. Thoroughly & Consistently Water

Instead of watering your hibiscus lightly, it would be best to water them generously. Expect that only the top layer of the soil will get damp if you water your hibiscus lightly. And that the water will not go down through the soil to reach the roots of your hibiscus.

This situation will cause the roots to develop closer to the surface to reach any available moisture, making the hibiscus more susceptible to drought. Watering with a deep soak encourages root growth and prevents the leaves from wilting.

3. Plant Potted Hibiscus in 12-inch Container

Shallower or smaller garden pots have less soil and so keep less dampness, allowing them to dry out much faster.

To avoid the leaves from wilting, dropping off, and turning yellow, the pot of your hibiscus plant should be at least 12 inches in diameter or proportionally as large as the plant.

4. Provide Soil Enriched with Organic Matter

If you plan to plant your hibiscus in garden soil, it would be best if you ensure to prepare the space with leaf mold, compost, or manure. Doing so guarantees that the soil contains the correct moisture balance to keep the hibiscus from withering.

5. Add 2-inch Layer of Organic Mulch

Provide your hibiscus plant with a generous watering and add two inches layer of organic mulch to its surroundings. It will help conserve moisture and provide the optimum conditions for the plant to thrive, especially if you have planted it in ordinary soil.

6. Plant Hibiscus in Permeable Soil (Potting Soil Preferred)

It would be best to plant your hibiscus in ideal potting soil, preferably one with holes for good drainage and multifunctional compost that keeps moisture.

Compost holds moisture with a porous, aerated arrangement that enables adequate drainage, simulating the hibiscus' natural environment and soil conditions.

7. Mist Hibiscus

What causes wilting is when the hibiscus plant leaves deprive moisture faster than the roots can absorb it. So, by spraying the leaves frequently, you can generate a humid microclimate that keeps the leaves from losing too much dampness. It will be highly beneficial, especially if the humidity is low or the airflow is sapping from the leaves.

If you practice an excellent watering habit for your hibiscus plants, their soil will consistently be moist. And that can correct any environmental problems that cause the soil to dry out too rapidly.

Furthermore, the recovery of a dying hibiscus might not be in an instant. Of course, you will need to be patient in taking care of it. The new leaves of your hibiscus should come out in summer or spring if the situations are good.

How To Revive Hibiscus With Yellow and Dropping Leaves?

BRIGHT YELLOW AND RUST COLOURED FALLEN SEA HIBISCUS LEAVES DYING

Due to low humidity, the leaves of your hibiscus plant might turn yellow or drop continually. However, you can revive your hibiscus from this by following the tips below.

Utilize a Mist Sprayer

As mentioned above, spraying your hibiscus plant using a mist sprayer can create a microclimate with enough humidity. The mist on the foliage decreases water loss, which helps mitigate the effects of low humidity and droughts, which can savor moisture and cause the hibiscus to lose more leaves.

Keep Hibiscus Sheltered

You have to place your hibiscus where there is no continuous wind and drought.

Ideally, your hibiscus is in a garden pot, and you may move it to a wind-protected spot in your yard or within your home, away from radiators and air conditioning.

Provide Moisture

Moisten your plant as needed to maintain dampness in the soil, but do not saturate it. The plant is less likely to suffer from the drying effects of wind, low humidity, or high airflow if the roots have a consistent source of hydration.

It would be best to eliminate the pressure of losing dampness from the leaves of your hibiscus or rapid temperature changes produced by air currents by recreating the more moist and protected conditions.

How To Revive Hibiscus With Yellow Leaves Due To Poor Soil?

Blurred wilted hibiscus flower on the window

To revive your hibiscus from having yellow leave due to poor soil by following the guidelines below:

Re-pot

Re-pot your hibiscus plant in a larger gardening pot with freshly prepared potting soil. Because larger pots have higher soil capacity, the hibiscus roots have adequate access to nutrients.

Incorporate Mulch

However, if the location of your hibiscus plant is in the ground, mulching is a fantastic approach to provide nutrients to the soil.

And to do that, you should add a two-inch layer of compost, decaying leaves, or well-rotted manure to the soil surrounding the hibiscus to add nutrients, preserve moisture, enhance soil structure, and boost the soil ecosystem to have more open nutrients. For optimal effects, apply the mulch once in the spring and once in the winter.

3. Apply Fertilizer in Spring

Potted or non-potted hibiscus, you should apply fertilizer to them. Because hibiscus plants are heavy feeders, a fertilizer boost can help revitalize yellowing leaves. Thanks to adjusted soil and fertilizer applications, the hibiscus should recover from yellowing with new green leaves.

However, it is critical not to apply more fertilizer than the manufacturers suggest, as this can result in declining growth that is more susceptible to fungal disease.

What Are The Common Causes Of Dying Hibiscus?

Low Humidity

Most hibiscus plants are tropical and demand humidity to keep their leaves from falling off.

Contrast In Airflow

Yellow hibiscus leaves that fall off are due to cold blows of air in windy regions outside or heat from radiators and air conditioning units.

Conditions In Transition Between Seasons

We must say that hibiscus plants are susceptible to environmental changes. Their leaves will turn yellow as an indication of stress.

The Soil Is Too Dry

hands of the women were planting the seedlings into the ground to dry

Hibiscus needs consistently moist soil since dry soil induces its leaves to become yellow, wilt, and fall off.

Saturated Soil

Because saturated soil is empty of oxygen, roots cannot absorb nutrients and water.

The Weather Is Too Cold 

Tropical hibiscus is not hardy and will perish if exposed to cold weather. Hibiscus prefers temperatures between 65 and 75 degrees Fahrenheit during the day and 59 degrees Fahrenheit at night.

Lacking Nutrients

Due to a deficiency of richness in the soil, hibiscus in pots may deplete the available nutrients. And that is what causes them to turn yellow.

High Phosphorus Levels In The Soil

Hibiscus are very susceptible to excessive levels of phosphorus in the soil. And that hinders the roots from absorbing other nutrients, causing the leaves to be yellow and the plant to die.

Hibiscus Plants Don't Receive Enough Sunlight

As mentioned above, hibiscus plants are tropical that require at least five hours of direct sunlight to thrive. They flower best in full sunlight and frequently die when exposed to too much shade.

Wrapping It All Up

Red hibiscus flower on a green background. In the tropical garden

Before you give up on your dying hibiscus, you must remember that there are still ways you can try to revive them. All you need to have is consistency and a bit of effort.

We hope you find this post helpful and enjoyable to read. You can visit our website or check the posts below if you want to read further. Please let us know if you have additional questions or concerns by leaving a comment below. We'd love to hear from you!

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