Fuchsia Plant Care Guide
This gardening care guide for the fuchsia plant, known by gardeners as one of the most difficult flowers to grow, is provided for you by gardening experts. The romantic, vibrant-colored fuchsia plant has lovely blossoms that dangle beautifully from flower pots, hanging baskets, or over the soil in a flower garden.
The fuchsia flower is a prolific bloomer all summer long, and it can even be grown indoors with proper care. If you're not familiar with fuchsia, let me teach you all you need to know about this beautiful perennial plant.
What You Should Know About Fuchsia
- How did this unique flower get its name? The fuchsia plant is named after Leonhard Fuchs, a German doctor who lived in the early 1500s. Where did they come from? Almost all the fuchsia varieties we know of today come from South and Central America, New Zealand, and Tahiti.
- Originally, nearly 100 varieties of fuchsia were known, but they have been hybridized so much that today there are actually countless varieties on the market.
- Fuchsias are low-growing, bush, or sometimes tree-like plants. We still cultivate many varieties as indoor plants, and one of them is so hardy that it can grow in the winter (in the South). Most of the cultivated fuchsia varieties are hybrids, which may be low, rather droopy flowering plants, semi-tall trees, or shrub-like plants. People often prop them up with support sticks or a trellis to allow the beautiful flowers to hang freely from the leaf crown that radiates from a slender stem.
- What I love most about the fuchsia is that it is so very rich in color. The eye-catching colorfulness of the fuchsia flower is due to the fact that the sepals, leaf lobes, and petals are all richly colored.
- Fuchsias are the most beautiful when kept in rather cool conditions in half-shade. Too much warmth and sunshine leads to rapid flower loss and severe evaporation from leaves and stems. Always make sure that the fuchsia plant gets the water it needs during the growth period.
- All varieties of fuchsia do require special care, but they will reward all your hard-earned efforts by forming lovely new flower buds on the tips of their stems for you to admire.
Should You Buy One or Plant From Seed?
It's always easier to buy an already established plant, but you can plant from seed when growing a hardy fuchsia if you like.
This is a truly wonderful, drought-tolerant, 4–9" perennial plant that offers striking pink and purple hanging blooms. It is hardy to zones 6–9 and is frost tender. It flowers from mid-summer through mid-fall.
What to Look for and When to Buy Fuchsia
- Fuchsia plants are usually best purchased in the early spring, before all the pretty flowers burst forth from their buds.
- When purchasing, make sure all the parts of the plant are fresh and juicy. Also, be sure and check for bugs, pests, and disease. Do make sure that the stems of any existing flowers that may have already bloomed are not flaccid, too.
- If you buy your plants online or from a garden magazine, be sure and check that the retailer offers a refund if the plant arrives damaged or diseased.
Colors and Scents
It's hard to believe that such a pretty flower like the fuchsia plant has a weak fragrance. Fortunately, the stunning flowers make up for what it's lacking in the scent department and come in almost every beautiful color shade imaginable (except a true blue). My favorite is the beautiful pink fuchsia color. What's yours? Tell us in the guest book below.
(Note: All fuchsia plants bloom from the months of May through September.)
How to Water and Feed Fuchsia Plants
Fuchsia requires regular watering, and liquid plant food should be added to the water during the growth period: April through September. (I find that Miracle-Gro works really well.)
It is an easy plant to grow, as long as it is given a light, cool spot and kept shielded from the blazing sunshine.
Fuchsia Lifespan, Size, and Growth Rate
Fuchsias can last for many years if given a period of stable conditions before planting or placing them among other plants in your garden.
It comes in almost every size and shape. Some of them can remain outdoors all year round, but most of them are cultivated as house plants or for re-planting outdoors in summer only.
Light and Temperature for Fuchsia Plants
Fuchsias grow most beautifully in half-shade. Indoors, it prefers a west-facing window. The temperature should suit the amount of light, which is moderate in summer and cool in winter.
How to Prune a Fuchsia Plant
All fuchsia varieties need pruning or pinching back to attain an attractive shape. Growth of the fuchsia plant is naturally bushy, and the plant may turn out leggy. However, it is easy to propagate the fuchsia by pinching back ungainly shoots throughout the summer. If you forget, winter pruning is still possible.
Create a Small Fuchsia Tree
To create a fuchsia plant with a tall stem, just remove all the side shoots and branches until the desired trunk height is achieved. The hanging varieties in particular are very attractive as tall-stemmed plants or trees.
Now pinch back the crown by removing unwanted shoots throughout the summer (or, by winter pruning) to ensure the desired bush shape.
Tying may be necessary. Tying can prove as important as pruning. Many of these plants flower so profusely that the stems are almost overwhelmed. Pruning doesn't help in such cases, but a stick to support the plant in this period is often indispensable.
Hardy Red Fuchsia
Hardy Red Fuchsia makes a nice addition to your garden. It puts on an unbelievable display of red pendant flowers that attract hummingbirds from early summer to mid-fall.
These beautiful, extremely ornamental plants can grow up to 6 feet tall! Best of all, this one is completely cold hardy. Additionally, rabbits don't like them.
Hardy Red Fuchsia is evergreen in southern climates and deciduous in colder parts of the country. It does well in full sun to partial shade. In USDA zones 3, 4, and 5, it needs to be heavily mulched.
What's your success rate growing fuchsia?
This article is accurate and true to the best of the author’s knowledge. Content is for informational or entertainment purposes only and does not substitute for personal counsel or professional advice in business, financial, legal, or technical matters.
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Do You Like Fuchsias?
I just bought 3 hanging plants so i hope mine grow.
I love my fuchsia, but I'm worried, it has all these beautiful blossoms but hardly any green leaves. Why?
I have grown Fuchsias for over 50 years...my favorites are 'Winston Churchill'..it seems to be impervious to Fuchsia Gall Mite. My daughters have always called them the Ballerina flowers since I made Ballerinas out of the flowers for them when they were little girls....Easy to grow and care for and give you so much "bang for your buck"!
All my flowers have gone plant still looks very green just no flowers ?
Just found this site. Am a Master Gardener's daughter...came into actually gardening for myself late in life-I'm 61!! Mom still at it-aged 82.
Learning so much from her. She was a display garden for the Hemoracalis Society for many years. Gardening "Beyond her means", lol. Meaning I am her garden girl slave!! But am absorbing tons of wisdom from her.
Looked up Fuschia for my neighbor...with no experience. A very consice and fairly easy-to-comprehend guide. Thanks very much :-)
can i plant a fucshia cutting in a terrarium
This is our first year with Fuchaias. We found a small Fuchia @ a little out of the way nursery and fell in love at first site.They did not have a marker identifying what kind of plant it was. So we had to do a little research to figure it out. When I was explaining the bloom I told folks that it started out like a ball then turned inside out and looks like a flower firework. I am totally smitten with the Fushia ! Now I have gotten 3 different varieties and will continue to grow our collection !
I'm so glad I stopped by again to look at the beautiful Fuchsias. They remind me of my Mom, because she always has some hanging off the roof of her back porch in the summer. They are some of the prettiest flowering plants in my honest opinion. :)
fuchsias are a part of my whole life, I love them the flowers are little dancers, thanks for sharing
Fushsias are very pretty shrubs they make me think of childhood, there were lots of them in my neighborhood.
love the hanging fuschia...have always had one...my son gifts me one for Mothers day each year...haven't had good luck trying to winter over in MI...plus I am gone south during wks and can't seem to depend on others...just not fair to expect someone to care for plants at the house...replace each yr...Bobbi
This is a plant that I have always admired, but haven't attempted to grow it due to growing conditions. This info was useful. I appreciate it.
I love Fuchsias... at first it was challenge to learn to actually grow them successfully. Once I got that down, I love them hanging all around the front porch.
I have a very special fuchsia, several years ago we went to Devon, looking for the graves of my great great great grandparents. Unfortunately the graves have been lost along with the burial plot records. Disappointed we were leaving when I spotted a beautiful example of Fuchsia Hawkeshead Naughty me took a cutting and now all the family have a treasure a plant from this cutting to remind us of the beautiful setting where our ancestors lay
I like them, but unfortunately, my two plants died in our long and very hot Summer this year.
Perhaps I'll get another one and plant it this Autumn, as they are a very pretty plant.
beautiful color.
I love them. This is a wonderful guide.
Yes. They are beautiful flowers.
LOVE them! They are hard to grow in NM though. Beautiful flowers :-)
I read, and it was good...
Oh, Fuchsias ... my grandmother used to have beautiful Fuchsias. I was often squeezing unopened flowers in order to open more quickly (besides I thought that was fun) and she was really angry. This flowers are really precious to me because of my grandmother. Really adorable lens, I enjoyed reading it..
Thanks for sharing this fuchsia plant care guide and will be back to read more.
The fragrance is what I like.
I love fuchsias. The colors are so vibrant. Tough to spell though!
Thanks for the tips on taking care of Beautiful Fuchsia Plants
love our posy and fuchsia
I think they are fabulous.
I love fuchsias! We are very lucky to have them growing easily in our garden, we just can't put them in baskets, they don't do as well for us. Thank you for sharing! Greetings from 'the land of eternal spring'!
Our fuchsia is lovely and it pretty much seems to take care of itself. It has gorgeous pink blooms.
Fuchsia are lovely! Thanks for all of the great tips!
Sorry if I end up with double comments. I'm not sure my other comment took. I just love these. We're about to add some color to our backyard and I think I will add these to our list. Thank you and blessed!
I'm planning some backyard plants and these really are beautiful. They weren't on my to-do list but I think it is time to pencil them in. Thanks!
Wonderful tip! I want to grow more flowers and plants around my chicken coops. Feel free to visit my lens.
Great tips! Thanks
i do, but mine dried out while on vacation. :(
This is a very good and informative lens. I have always loved the hanging plants overflowing with colours.
My new fuchsias in my hanging baskets have not flowered yet any ideas.
I love fuchsias, great information.
So nice flowers. Thx for tips.
I love this plant and managed to grow one in my back yard in the foggy Richmond district of San Francisco. We have since moved to a hotter area, and, somehow, I haven't been able to get one to survive! Thanks so much for all these great tips.
Got a hanging basket for Mothers Day two years ago and I love it. Still growing great. Useful tips on growing.
Yes they are fabulous!
Fuschias are one of my favourite plant, mainly because of their beautiful flowers and variety.
Gracious flowers. Nice lens.
I love fuchsia plants. I had one hanging off a tree at my old house and it did great. It had filtered light. The trick was keeping the soil moist.
I love fuchsias! I had a beautiful plant but it got too cold for it in the winter. I should have brought it in the house. I'll have to try again. Your lovely photos are very inspiring.
Useful tips about Fuchsia Plants. Thanks a lot.
Beautiful flowers to grow in hanging baskets on a porch. I've grown them before and I love their fresh pretty colors. Thanks for sharing. Blessed
Fuchsia is gorgeous, and I would love to try and grow it. Thank you!
Love fuchsias. Blessed.
Great Lens! Youâve motivated me to start my own project! Thanks ever so much! Iâm definitely going to recommend your Lens to my friends!
The Fucshias are beautiful. The colors are so vibrant and eye-catching.
Fuchsias are such beautiful flowers. I had no idea there were so many different types! This is a lovely lens.
I didn't know what a fuchsia plant was until now but I recognize them. They are gorgeous. Now I know how to care for them if I'm ever so lucky to come across them. Your lens was so well written.
Yes I love Fuchsias. Really nice and colorful.
Fuchsias are my favorite plant. It's a shame that garden centres in France focus so strongly on geraniums. I'm bucking the trend and get most of my plants online. People love the show of beautiful plants in front of my house!
I love Fuchsias! It was the flower we used at our wedding as well as our colors, pink and purple! Great lens!!!
I absolutely love these beautiful plants. I have never had much success growing them inside but now see that I was doing it the wrong way and hope that I will grow them them the right way this time. God was sure in a good mood when he made this gorgeous plant.
I absolutely love Fuchsia plants. They are so beautiful and hope with all my heart that I am successful in having them stay as beautiful in keeping their beauty inside.
Yes, i really like the fuchsais n my best flower is fuchsias
Yes My best flower is Fuchsais
Amazing lens, thumbs up!
Very nice post well done!
Yes I do...Just viewed a video and the looks of the plant ... looks like mine..
dead !!!....I am going to cut them back and see what happens..
Thanks for the viewing...
Received a plant for Mothers Day...Million Kisses ??? Fuchsia
Any advice ??
These are so pretty! Thanks for sharing, I loved the photos.
I like Fuchsias, I think they're one of the best choice for a flower garden.
I like you beautiful lens.
I think they are very beautiful. After this wonderful lens, maybe I can get some to grow pretty again. Very helpful, thanks!
Stopping by again to look at this pretty lens. Fuchsia are hearty plants with beautiful flowers. I really should get some for myself this year! :)
I really love fuchsias!! I think they just add that perfect touch to andb flower garden
The fucshia is one of my favorites, great lens and very informative
fuchsia, my favorite color, would love to have one of these.
Lovely flowers, such a variety.
They look like little ballerinas in their tutus!
yes the color is such pretty cool thing and it's add color into my life, I will plant like this too!
I Love fucshia's they always remind me of a summer's day!
I love fuchsia, they love shade. I have lost some, but they are easy to grow from cuttings in New Zealand.
Thanks for sharing. Blessed
I'm coaxing two beautiful fuschia plants into small trees right now. They've been doing beautifully in my shady yard, and the flowers couldn't be prettier!
Fuchsias are so gorgeous and the hummingbirds like them too!
Yes, the flower's design is so interesting and great colors of course.
I do! I do! The colors are so splendid. And they are perfect for container gardening, which is mostly what I do.
I have the red fuchsia for years and doing well.
You know, I have always loved the color of fuchsia, but never realized this was a plant too? Double whammy! I must try to grow them.
They are truly stunning and I love the way they hang from the stems - very decorative. Great lens and very informative!
I've got a perfect spot on my back deck where I hang a Fuchsia plant every spring, and the hummingbirds just love it!
This is my introduction to the fuchsia plant. So beautiful. I'd love to grow some of these for my hummingbirds. Thank you for making me aware of this lovely flower.
I love fuchsia, used to have a lot before. When spring comes, I will get some again. Then, I will be back to check out your good advice here.
One of God's most beautiful creations! But they take special care, so glad you shared this. I nearly cry when I see some of these in garden centers in stores like Walmart. I've seen them with those gorgeous blooms actually laying on the hot concrete. Espec appreciate the fuchsia rejuvenation section here. Best wishes
i like them but it seems they don't like me, your lens is very helpful
My mother in law has them hanging around the outside of her house. dozens of colors and varieties. Very pretty plants. Nice lens (squid angel blessed)
Lovely! Just adore fuchsias.
Love them! One of the best porch plants, but I can't keep them alive over winter .
Great variety to choose from and I particularly like the tips that you throw out when purchasing the plants. Thank you for the information.
Cheers,
Homerepellent
I love Fuchsia! It's a great addition to any garden.
I actually love Fuchsia Plants! Not sure why I have never tried to grow one - think maybe I will now. Nice job.
Wow, I had completely forgotten about fuchsias. They used to be really popular back home but I seldom see them where we live now.
I love these but I have been afraid to try my luck with them. You make it sound easy! Think I will try it! Thank you
As a little girl my friend mother had a big collection and they would take me to a big fuchsia nursery for "windowing shopping". I love those plants. My yard is more suited for succulents.
I have never grown one, but I think I might now. Nice lens.
I LOVE fuchsias and my new home has about 8 different ones -- from ones with tiny flowers to large flowers. They are so beautiful. Thanks for sharing. I learned a lot about caring for them. Blessed. Bear hugs, Frankster
This color would be a great addition to our garden, thanks for the idea! :)
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