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I have started growing some hibiscus from seed (2 plants at ~1", 1 plant at ~3"), and I would like to get some other kinds of hibiscus. As the weather here is nowhere near tropical, I was wondering if any hibiscus can be grown in containers indoors. (I have noticed that a lot of hibiscus plants in the PlantFiles are said to grow at least 6 feet tall.) Also, what size of pots do I need?
My experience is with the tropical hibiscus, so that's what I'll comment on here. A few things may be different if what you have are one of the types of hardy hibiscus (which still unfortunately won't be hardy in zone 3). I think if you don't take them outside for the summer and let them get some sun you probably won't get very many blooms, they like heat and sun. But plenty of people grow them outdoors during the warmer months and then bring them in for the winter so you could always do that. They will tend to grow slower in a container than they would in the ground, and you can always prune them to keep them smaller than 6 ft. You won't be able to keep them 6 inches tall or anything like that, but you could probably keep it to 3-4 ft or so as long as you don't mind occasionally losing/delaying some blooms when you prune. As far as the size of pots, you'll need different sizes as they grow. It's never good to put a teensy plant into a giant pot, the best thing is to pot them up one size at a time as they outgrow the size they're in. It's more work for you that way, but it's better for the plants and increases their chances of survival (plants that are in a pot that's way too big for them are much easier to overwater than plants that are in an appropriately sized pot)
I don't grow either of those, but I'm sure they would do fine if you put them outside for the summer and bring them in for the winter. No idea how they'd do as year-round houseplants, but I still suspect you'd get better blooms outdoors. I believe that H. moscheutos dies back every year for the winter plus it's hardy to zone 5, so if you have a basement or garage or something you might be able to keep it there and not really have to do much with it over the winter.
I have a great south facing window I am hoping to put to good use over the winter. :) I might try them outside this summer. Hopefully a warm summer is in store! Thanks for your help!
