Hibiscus

My Hibiscus has gone dorment. It is very cold here in MD and of course it is inside. The soil is damp, but seems the leaves are turning yellow. Just does not look happy. It was beautiful this Summer though. Should I cut it back all the way to root or just leave it alone, thanks

I have a hardy hibiscus and I leave mine alone. It still comes back every year.

Jan, I assume you are talking about a Tropical Hibiscus. They often loose many leaves when brought indoors. The change of environment shocks them.
Don't worry, it will come back. Go easy on the water until it gets going again, with fewer leaves it drinks less.
Keep it warm and in as sunny a location as possible. A good trim may be advisable in Spring.
As the days get longer they generally wake up, patients.
Andy P

Thank you for posting this. I bought a tropical hibiscus when I was in Florida two weeks ago. I brought it home ten days ago, and it's inside, of course. It looks pretty good, but it has been dropping leaves. They aren't yellow, but they're falling off at the rate of maybe five a day. Right now, it's in a south window. I assume it will be okay until I can get it outside in the spring. I sure hope so!

I would like to plant two tropical hibiscus. I have had them for several years and they are in very large pots. What do y ou think?

Cold wet soil that drains slowly is fatal to tropical hibiscus.Aloww it to dry out some and get the pot to a warmer spot.

Thanks, Kyle! That's what I'm doing. It has slowed down some, so I'm thinking maybe it was just the shock of the trip and the different growing conditions.

Raggins, I have several in pots. One got left outside on my patio all winter (forgot about it) when I lived on the NC/SC coast and I couldn't believe it came back that summer. I moved her to the FL Panhandle with me last summer and I just planted her int he ground. Poor thing was so root bound I had to flush and flush with water to get it out. Then I washed off all the old soil and planted her in the ground in good soil (sand, hummus and a little perlite) and I could almost see her immediately smile! So if mine made it up in SC, yours will be very happy in the ground in your zone. It may die back in the winter (let us know), but she'll be back!
Barbara

Thanks I think I may plant them in a few days. They have been in large pots for two years and I know they are root bound.