Fuschia Plant
Caring for a Fuschia Plant
A fuschia plant can be a beautiful addition to virtually any indoor or outdoor setting. You may have heard rumors that the fuschia is especially hard to care for, but in most cases this is not true. People are often intimidated by “exotic” plants, and the fuschia plant definitely has a tropical air about it. The key to successfully caring for the fuschia is to make sure that you understand its needs and make sure that they are met. We are going to address the ideal settings for the fuschia, including sunlight and water requirements.
Let’s start off by describing the fuschia plant in a little more detail. This is a very romantic plant that seems both dainty and bold at the same time. The buds of the fuschia are bright pink and hang down from the main plant like fat tear drops. When they bloom they open up to expose soft purple petals. Of course, there are countless numbers of hybrids out there that can produce a number of different colored fuschias. And best of all, they are not only great to look at, but they are also very prolific bloomers which means you can enjoy beautiful fuschia flowers all summer long.
The fuschia plant is best grown in a pot or hanging basket. The big question is: where is the best spot to sit or hang your plant? Truth be told, the fuschia is a funny plant when it comes to sunlight. It likes the sunlight but it can’t handle the heat. This is why many people hunt for the perfect spot that offers partial shade in an attempt to get a good balance between sunlight and heat. A porch covered by an awning or roof would suit the fuschia well. This plant may also be kept as an indoor plant to provide a lovely burst of color to liven the room up—just make sure that you keep the fuschia near a window where it can get lots of sunny goodness. You may find it easiest to just try a few spots until one works for your plant. If it starts to look droopy then it probably needs to be moved to a different area.
The pot that you choose should have a watering tray underneath so that when you water your fuschia the water doesn’t run straight out of the bottom. The tray allows the water to sit so that the fuschia can absorb it as needed. You should be aware that the fuschia plant can be quite demanding with watering and fertilizing, so you may find that making up a watering routine will help your fuschia flourish. On very hot days when evaporation is high, try misting the plant during the day and then watering it in the evening when it can have a better chance of absorbing the water. There is no set schedule outlined for watering fuschias; however you should never allow the soil to completely dry out, nor should you flood it. Many experienced fuschia growers recommend fertilizing the plant once every two weeks during the spring and summer to keep it nice and healthy.
Outdoor fuschias should ideally be brought indoors by the time the first frost hits, but sometimes a fuschia plant can handle being outdoors during the winter if the area has milder winters. If you have not purchased your fuschia yet and are wondering when the best time is to purchase one, you should aim to start your hunt in the spring. Ideally, you want to purchase it before the buds open up. Overall, most of the hype about how difficult fuschias are to grow is really not relevant. Granted, some people simply can’t remember to water their plants or don’t pay attention to the plant’s reaction to the summer heat. –But as long as you pick out a good spot and regularly water and fertilize your fuschia, you should find it a fairly easy plant to maintain!