The bright colourful flowers and trailing habit of fuchsia make them a common choice for hanging baskets and patio pots. Fuchsias originated in South America and prefer cool, mild climates. The red and orange ones are more heat tolerant than the white or blue varieties, but all fuchsia grow best in partial shade, with temperatures between 15.6 and 21.1 degrees Celsius. Fuchsia stop blooming when the temperature rises above 76 degrees.
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Things you need
- Water-soluble fertiliser
- Insecticidal soap
Buy healthy plants with strong stems and flowers. Inspect the leaves for signs of insect damage and avoid any plants with wilted or nibbled leaves.
Place the fuchsia on a shaded porch or patio. Fuchsias drop flowers and eventually wilt and die in a hot, sunny location.
Water the fuchsia regularly before the soil surface has completely dried out. Fuchsia prefer slightly moist, but not soggy, soil. Reduce watering in the fall if you plan to overwinter the fuchsia indoors. This will signal the fuchsia to slow growth in preparation for the winter rest.
Fertilise the fuchsia every two to four weeks during active growth with a water-soluble fertiliser, according to package directions. Stop fertilising the plant two weeks before you plan to bring it indoors.
Cut the plant back to 6 inches high before bringing it indoors. Inspect it for insects and treat by spraying with a hose or an insecticidal soap. Place the fuchsia in an eastern, northern or western window with bright, indirect sunlight. The plant will stop blooming, but will continue to grow. Water it every two or three weeks.
Fertilise and water the fuchsia regularly, beginning in mid-spring. Place it outdoors after the last frost.
Tips and warnings
- Choose a heat-resistant variety if your patio has partial sun. Try cultivars of F. magellanica.
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