The Fuchsia Plant
Features of Fuchsia
- Prolific bloomer from spring to fall
- Thrives in full to partial shade
- Attracts birds, butterflies and hummingbirds
- Usually a low plant that drapes over sides of containers, though under certain conditions, some cultivars can grow to be tree-sized
Fuchsia Care
Though slightly fussy about moisture and temperatures, fuchsias are still considered an easy plant to grow in container gardens. Most will thrive in part shade to full shade, but they don't like to be too hot and they especially hate dry heat.
Fuchsias are happiest with temperatures between 55-80°F, though there are some heat-tolerant cultivars that will keep their blooms up to 90°F. Fuchsias thrive in humidity, so if you live in a dry climate, you may have to mist your fuchsias to keep them sufficiently moist.
Though some fuchsias don't need deadheading, for peak bloom production pick off spent blossoms. During the blooming season fuchsias have a huge appetite, so you have to feed them regularly with diluted liquid fertilizer. Fuchsias like to be moist, but not soggy. Susceptible to root-rot, they require a fast draining potting soil and very good drainage.
