How to Plant and Grow Fuchsia

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 really 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 true petals are revealed. There are usually four petals inside, often a deep purple color.

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 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 will 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 root gently to loosen them and place 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.

Light

Prevent problems for fuchsia during the hottest months by ensuring your plants have shade from the afternoon sun. 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.

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

Feed these hungry plants regularly when they're blooming for the best flowers. Use a diluted liquid fertilizer following manufacturer's instructions.

Pruning

To help maintain the constant blooms of fuchsia, pinch off spent flowers. This will allow 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. The containers should be one size larger than the nursery container the plants came in. If you combine plants, allow room for them to grow by planting 2 or 3 in a 12-inch pot. Use a peat=based potting soil.

Pests and Problems

Common pests such as aphids, spidermites and white flies can infest fuchsia plants. Use an insecticidal soap to treat this problem.

How to Propagate Fuchsia

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. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone and plant in the seed-starter after dipping it in rooting hormone. Use a plastic dome to cover the tray and locate in a warm spot. They take about a month to form roots and new leaves, which is when they're ready for planting.

Grow seedlings indoors from seeds. Place seeds in moist seed-starting mix and cover lightly with the mix. Cover with clear plastic and place on 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.