Why Are My Hibiscus Buds Falling Off? Troubleshooting Tips for Your Favorite Tropical Flower

I love my hibiscus plants so much. They make me think of the tropics and summer.

This tropical plant can produce bright, colorful blooms. But this year my blooms were falling off before they opened.

After looking into the reasons why this might be happening, I thought others might be as well. That being said, here are some reasons this might be happening and ways we can stop it.

The first reason might be improper watering. Hibiscus like moist, well-drained soil. You want the soil to feel damp but not soaking wet. Plants can lose their blooms if their roots get too wet. This is called root rot.

It’s also a problem if the plant has too little water. When the plant is under-watered, the leaves will wilt and the blooms can fall.

It could be that the weather is simply too hot. Even though the hibiscus is a tropical plant, it can get too hot for them to grow properly. We all know that tropical plants like it when it’s humid, but most of the time, it’s just below 90 degrees. The humidity makes it seem hotter when it’s not, like when you are in the tropics. When temps are higher, it will scorch the leaves and damage the flowers that are budding.

Hibiscus plants like to grow in temperatures are between 60 and 90 degrees. This summer we’ve had several days over 90 degrees. In this case we just have to wait it out. When the weather gets cooler again, the hibiscus flowers will stop falling off and bloom again.

Another reason: If you are over-fertilizing your plant, this can cause the blooms to fall. The hibiscus does well with a little fertilizer. Choose a fertilizer that is high in potassium. Avoid fertilizers with phosphorus; this can damage the plant.

Finally, watch out for the dreaded pests. Thrips are bad bugs that will eat your plant’s buds and make them fall off before they even open. Take a bud that hasn’t opened yet and lightly tap it on a white piece of paper to see if anything comes out. Thrips look like black specks that will move once on the paper. To rid your plant of thrips, apply a liquid insecticide to the blooms. For best results, use an insecticide that contains permethrin or bifenthrin.

Hibiscus midges don’t eat the plant as adults but lay their eggs in unopened blooms. When the larvae emerge, they feed on the inside of the bud. Since they are hard to see with the naked eye, it is hard to say for sure if this is the reason. If all other possibilities have been ruled out, spray the plant with a liquid systemic insecticide. This will kill the larvae that are stuck in the unopened blooms. Use a formula that contains acephate, disyston, or imidacloprid.

And, yes, we hate to use insecticides. Please use them only as a very last resort.

There are more than 200 different species of hibiscus, and these steps might help you enjoy yours.

Check out The North Haven Garden Club on Facebook for lots of useful and entertaining information and pictures. The North Haven Garden Club is a member of The Federated Garden Clubs of Connecticut Inc. , New England Garden Clubs Inc. , and The National Garden Clubs Inc. Plants that are usually thought of as tropical can get too hot in Connecticut sometimes, even if they are tropical plants. Photo courtesy of Cindy Golia There are more than 200 varieties of hibiscus. Photo courtesy of Cindy Golia.

As a hibiscus lover, nothing is more frustrating than seeing those beautiful buds fall off your plant before they have a chance to open into gorgeous blooms. But don’t despair – losing buds is common, and usually an easy fix. In this article, we’ll explore the top reasons your hibiscus is dropping buds, and give you tips to get those tropical flowers thriving again.

Environmental Stress is the Main Culprit

The #1 cause of hibiscus bud drop is environmental stress. This delicate tropical plant thrives in warm temperatures, high humidity, and consistent moisture If any of these conditions dip outside the ideal range, your hibiscus will protest by ditching its precious buds

Specifically, these factors often cause bud loss:

Dry soil – Hibiscus needs constant moisture, but will tolerate temporary dryness better than soggy feet. Make sure the soil dries out just a bit between waterings.

Low light – Hibiscus is a sun worshipper. It wants at least 6 hours of direct sun per day. Insufficient light leads to weak, stressed plants.
Sudden temperature changes – Hibiscus prefers consistent warmth around 70-90°F. Cool nights or blasting AC can shock it into dropping buds.
High temperatures – While heat is fine in moderation, excessive warmth above 90°F can cause bud loss Move pots to a shadier spot on hot days

Low humidity – The higher the humidity, the happier your hibiscus will be. Use a pebble tray or humidifier to boost moisture levels.
Overfertilizing – Too much fertilizer can burn roots and stress the plant. Follow package directions and don’t overdo it.
Underfeeding – That said, hibiscus are heavy feeders. Lack of nutrients can also lead to bud drop. Use a balanced liquid fertilizer every 2-4 weeks.

Repotting shock – Your plant will lose some buds after repotting while it adjusts to its new home. Give it a few weeks to recover before worrying.

Pests Are Another Primary Cause of Bud Drop

While environmental issues are the main reason for hibiscus bud loss, pests can also be to blame. Here are the usual suspects:

Aphids – These tiny sap-sucking insects can weaken buds causing them to fall. Check for small pear-shaped bugs on stems and undersides of leaves.
Thrips – Tiny flying insects that feed inside buds, causing them to turn brown and fall off. Look for black flecks (thrips poop) on buds.
Spider mites – Nearly microscopic pests that form webs on leaves and suck plant juices. Check for stippling damage or webbing under leaves.

Mealybugs – Fluffy white insects that leave sticky honeydew and black sooty mold. Check leaf joints for clusters of cottony bugs.
Whiteflies – Flying insects that swarm when disturbed. They leave honeydew and sooty mold behind. Check under leaves for tiny white flies or black mold.

For any infestations, treat with insecticidal soap or neem oil. Remove badly damaged buds and leaves to prevent spreading. Repeat treatments for 2-4 weeks until pests are gone.

Other Potential Causes of Bud Drop

While stress and pests account for most cases of hibiscus bud loss, a couple other factors can also be at play:

Overpruning – Excessive pruning stresses the plant and removes flower buds. Never remove more than 1/3 of branches when pruning.
Bacterial or fungal disease – Bacteria and fungi can infect buds, turning them brown or mushy before they fall. Look for spots, ooze, powdery coating, or other disease signs. Improve airflow and treat with fungicide if needed.
Old, damaged branches – Old wood produces fewer buds. Prune back to just above healthy new growth to encourage more blooms.

Natural behavior – Hibiscus naturally lose some buds as the plant grows, especially on older branches. A little loss is normal, just focus on the flowers it does produce!

Tips to Prevent Hibiscus Bud Drop

While some bud loss will happen no matter how perfect your care is, you can prevent excessive dropping by following these tips:

Give your hibiscus 6+ hours of direct sunlight in a south-facing window or outdoors.
Maintain warm temperatures of 70-90°F with high 60-70% humidity.
Water thoroughly when the top inch of soil dries out. Avoid soggy soil.

Feed every 2-4 weeks during the growing season with a balanced liquid fertilizer.
Scout frequently for pests like aphids and spider mites. Treat ASAP if found.
Prune lightly in early spring, removing no more than 1/3 of branches.

Repot in fresh soil every 2-3 years in the spring after blooming ends.
Monitor for signs of disease like spots, ooze, fuzz or abnormal leaf loss.
Avoid sudden environmental changes in light, temperature, or drafts.

With proper care tailored to its preferences, your hibiscus will reward you with a bounty of gorgeous blooms. Pay close attention to its needs, and don’t stress over a few dropped buds. A happy hibiscus will produce more flowers than you know what to do with in no time!

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I love my hibiscus plants so much. They make me think of the tropics and summer.

This tropical plant can produce bright, colorful blooms. But this year my blooms were falling off before they opened.

After looking into the reasons why this might be happening, I thought others might be as well. That being said, here are some reasons this might be happening and ways we can stop it.

It’s also a problem if the plant has too little water. When the plant is under-watered, the leaves will wilt and the blooms can fall.

But if your plant looks healthy, there are other reasons your plants flowers are falling.

And, yes, we hate to use insecticides. Please use them only as a very last resort.

There are more than 200 different species of hibiscus, and these steps might help you enjoy yours.

Fill out the form below to email this story to a friend.

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Buds falling in Hibiscus? How to cure bud falling before blooming

FAQ

How do you keep hibiscus buds from falling off?

There are two culprits that cause buds to drop off early, the recently introduced flower bud midge and a group of caterpillar larvae that feed inside the buds. These can be prevented by spraying the newly developing buds with a product such as Ortho Rose and Flower Insect Killer (bifenthrin is the active ingredient).

What does an overwatered hibiscus look like?

Yellowing leaves are the classic warning sign of overwatering. If your Hibiscus leaves are turning the color of the sun, you might be drowning them in love. Soft, mushy stems or roots are a surefire sign of too much water. If your plant feels like a squishy stress ball, it’s time to ease up on the watering.

Why do buds fall before blooming?

Depending on the sunlight needs of a specific plant, too much or too little sunlight can cause flower buds to drop from a plant. Note: It’s a good idea to know the specific sunlight needs of the plant you are caring for.

Why are my Hibiscus buds falling off?

Common pests like aphids, whiteflies, and spider mites attack hibiscus plants, leading to bud loss. These pests feed on the leaves and buds, causing them to drop prematurely. Fungal and bacterial infections, such as powdery mildew and bud rot, can also affect the buds and result in their falling off.

Do Hibiscus buds fall off before blooming?

Hibiscus plants are known for their vibrant and showy blooms, making them popular additions to gardens and landscapes. However, it can be disappointing when the buds of hibiscus plants prematurely fall off before reaching full bloom. Fortunately, there are several steps you can take to prevent this issue.

How does Bud loss affect hibiscus plants?

Bud loss can have a significant impact on the overall health and appearance of hibiscus plants. It can result in decreased blooming and a reduction in plant vitality. This can be frustrating for gardeners who are eagerly awaiting the beautiful flowers that hibiscus plants are known for.

Why is my Hibiscus not blooming?

Here’s how it works. While hibiscus flowers often grace us with beautiful blooms, these highly sensitive and temperamental plants sometimes fail to flourish. Either there are hibiscus blossoms falling off the plant or the hibiscus buds won’t bloom.