Few flowers offer such an interesting form and variety of hues as fuchsia. The two different-color sets of petals that make up the intricate blooms aren't all petals. Instead, the four outer "petals" are actually sepals. These protect the inner parts of the flowers from damage. Once the sepals open, the actual petals are revealed. There are usually four petals inside, often a deep purple color.
Fuchsia Overview
Where to Plant Fuchsia
Plant fuchsia in well-drained soil with protection from afternoon sun. With over 100 known species of fuchsia, there are wide varieties of growth habits. For example, fuchsias with a semi-trailing habit work well in hanging baskets or spilling over the side of a container. They're ideal for a burst of color in shady areas, on a porch, or under a pergola.
Hardy in Zones 8-10 and grown as an annual in most places, in tropical climates, fuchsia can be overwintered as a perennial and trained as shrubs and, in some cases, even small trees. This is typically done with upright varieties. These same varieties are great in garden beds. Fuchsias can also be trained into small novelties like topiary plants and bonsai specimens.
How and When to Plant Fuchsia
Plant fuchsia in spring when the temperature is at least 50ºF at night. In most climates, gardeners grow fuchsias in hanging baskets and containers, which require frequent watering and feeding for optimal plant growth. Grow potted plants in a peat-based potting mix. Fuchsia is susceptible to root rot, so ensure that the container has adequate drainage holes.
When planting in the garden, dig a hole a few inches deeper and twice as wide as your nursery specimen's rootball. Remove the plant from the pot, tease the roots gently to loosen them, and place them in the hole. Backfill with compost-amended soil until the base of the stem is at least a couple of inches beneath the soil. This will help to protect the plant crown during cold weather. Water deeply and continue to water regularly until established.
Fuchsia Care Tips
Fuchsia can be temperamental and may need a lot of attention during hot spells. Potted fuchsia may need watering twice a day during especially warm days.
Light
Ensure your plants have shade from the afternoon sun to prevent problems for fuchsia during the hottest months. They prefer partial or deep shade.
Soil and Water
Fuchsia doesn't like to sit in water. The plant does, however, like to be consistently moist. Finding the right amount of water can be a little tricky. Plant them in a well-drained potting mix and keep them always watered. Check if your plants need watering by pushing your finger into the soil to the first knuckle. If the soil feels dry, it needs watering. If the soil is still moist, wait to water to keep root rot from setting in.
Amend soil with peat moss or compost before planting in the ground.
Temperature and Humidity
Many species of fuchsia stop producing flowers in too much heat. In warmer climates, look for heat-tolerant selections, so they don't wither away in the summer heat. They'll thrive in shady conditions where other plants won't. Fuchsia is a great option for container gardens.
There's a variety of fuchsia for nearly every temperature range, including some shrub types that can tolerate freezing weather. They do best in humidity; even indoors, they'll need extra moisture when the air is dry, whether by misting or a humidifier.
Fertilizer
For the best flowers, feed these hungry plants every two weeks when they're blooming. Use diluted balanced liquid fertilizer according to the manufacturer's instructions.
Pruning
Pinch off spent flowers to help maintain fuchsia's constant blooms. This allows plants to focus more energy on creating new buds instead of producing seed.
Potting and Repotting Fuchsia
Containers for potting fuchsia should have good drainage and be one size larger than the nursery container the plants came in. If you combine plants, allow room for them to grow by planting two or three in a 12-inch pot. Use peat-based potting soil.
In cold areas, repot fuchsia in the spring, so it has time to establish roots during the summer. In warmer regions, you can repot fuchsia in the fall or when leaves begin to drop off the plants.
Pests and Problems
Common pests, such as aphids, spider mites, and white flies, can infest fuchsia plants. To treat this problem, use insecticidal soap.
How to Propagate Fuchsia
Propagate from seed:
Propagate fuchsia via cuttings in the spring.
- Fill a shallow tray with a lightly dampened sterile seed-starting mixture.
- Use sharp bypass pruners to cut 2- to 4-inch-long plant cuttings with at least two sets of leaf nodes.
- Pinch off flower buds and remove the lower leaves.
- Plant in the seed starter after dipping the cut end it in rooting hormone.
- Use a plastic dome to cover the tray and locate it in a warm spot.
They take about a month to form roots and new leaves, which is when they're ready for planting.
Propagate indoors from seeds.
- Place seeds in moist seed-starting mix and cover lightly with the mix.
- Cover with clear plastic and place in a warm spot or on a heat mat, keeping temperatures around 75ºF for germination.
- When leaves sprout, remove the plastic and allow the plants to harden off before planting outside.
Types of Fuchsia
'Blacky' Fuchsia
Fuchsia 'Blacky' is an upright shrub with semidouble flowers that have red sepals and a skirt of almost-black petals. It grows 2 feet tall and wide. Zones 8-10
'Diva Coral and White' Fuchsia
Fuchsia 'Diva Coral and White' features bright coral blooms with pendulous white petals on a compact, floriferous plant that grows to 10 inches tall and wide. Zones 8-10
'Miss California' Fuchsia
Fuchsia 'Miss California' is an upright grower that offers semidouble pink flowers and grows 18 inches tall and wide. It has good heat tolerance. Zones 8-10
'Voodoo' fuchsia
Fuchsia 'Voodoo' is a floriferous variety with large double, red-and-violet flowers and good heat tolerance. It grows 15 inches tall and 24 inches wide. Zones 8-10
Fuchsia Companion Plants
Browallia
Browallia earns its nicknames amethyst flower and sapphire flower for the richness of its small blue flowers, which pop against the bright green of its foliage. A tidy mounding plant, it's great in containers or planted as edging in a neat row at the front of the border. Zones 10-11
Dichondra
This striking trailing annual will add silver foliage to your container and other plantings. Perfect in a hanging basket, window box, or other containers, this plant can trail up to 6 feet with showy, soft foliage. Native to areas of the Southwest, it's also very heat- and drought-tolerant, so you can count on it to look good all season long, even if it wilts a few times. It's a perennial in the warmest parts of the United States. Zones 10-11
Impatiens
Impatiens is the old reliable for shade gardens when you want color all season long. The plants bloom in just about every hue except true blue and are well-suited to growing in containers or the ground. If you have a bright spot indoors, you may be able to grow impatiens as an indoor plant. Zones 10-11
Garden Plan for Fuchsia
Tropical-Look Garden Plan
Bright and colorful flowers and leaves make a beautiful, bold display all summer.
Frequently Asked Questions
- Does fuchsia attract wildlife?Plant them in a hanging basket near a garden bench to attract hummingbirds in particular, but also bees and butterflies. Unfortunately, deer love to munch on hybrid fuchsia species, though tropical types aren't as appealing to them.
Plant them in a hanging basket near a garden bench to attract hummingbirds in particular, but also bees and butterflies. Unfortunately, deer love to munch on hybrid fuchsia species, though tropical types aren't as appealing to them.
- How tall will fuchsia get?The mature height of fuchsia depends on the variety you grow. They have a moderate growth rate of one to two feet a year.
The mature height of fuchsia depends on the variety you grow. They have a moderate growth rate of one to two feet a year.