Happy hibiscus could move back outside in April — if the weather cooperates

Q: I got a 2026 calendar for Christmas that shows all sorts of blooming plants and I am enjoying it. For the January bloom, it shows a hibiscus. With your guidance, I did bring in two hibiscus plants that I had growing on my patio and wanted to say thanks. Like the picture on the calendar, my plants are blooming and have been for months now. My question is, when will I be able to plan on moving these happy plants back outdoors? I know it’s still way cold outside but I want to have a plan. — N.K., Albuquerque

A: You’re correct that it’s way too early to set out any of your patio dwellers. So, go ahead and mark your blooming calendar for the beginning of April as the time when you might be able to move your hibiscus back outdoors. 

I say might because the average last frost date for the metro area is April 17. In the valley it’s usually a bit later, and certainly in Placitas and the East Mountains, that date is even later. 

My question to you is, are they getting too big and you’re looking forward to having your space back? If so, and since they are growing so well for you, you could give them a light pruning now to gain a bit of control. I don’t suggest giving them a crew-cut, but a 3- to 6-inch prune back wouldn’t be out of hand. I aim to always prune just above a leaf, so the plant doesn’t look naked after the trim. 

I suggest that you snip off the spent blooms as they finish, taking off the whole supporting stem-let and all to keep the plants tidy. That way, you’ll be more hands-on and watching for any pest troubles that might be brewing. 

If your tropical hibiscus is in bloom and has good green foliage on it, you’ve picked the best spot ever for it to hang out while it’s waiting for the season to change. Good on you and keep on enjoying your blooms.

Q: The amaryllis I forced has finished blooming. It was a real treat watching it grow. What do I do with it now? — F.Q., Belen

A: You have two choices. 

One, bite the bullet and pitch it. 

Or two, keep it as a houseplant and try to get it to come back into bloom again next holiday season, which is a bit of work and timing is everything. 

Let’s say you choose option two, the first thing you’ll want to do, as long as the amaryllis has finished blooming, is cut out the bloom stalk. Using the sharpest, cleanest pair of scissors or a really sharp knife, follow that stalk down as deep as you can and cut it out. Don’t brutalize the leaves while cutting out the bloom stalk, just go as deep as you can to get that stalk removed. 

Now you have a houseplant with long strap leaves. Tend it as you would anybody else, with good light and sufficient water. 

In late July, start to hold back some of the waterings, so the leaves start to fade to yellow and you’ll be snipping them off as they really fade. By the beginning of September it should be leafless. Let the bulb rest in a cooler spot until late October, and then repot it to start the whole process all over again. It’s just a matter of timing, but it can be done. 

Happy Diggin In!

Tracey Fitzgibbon is a certified nurseryman. Send garden-related questions to Diggin’ In, Albuquerque Journal, 7777 Jefferson NE, Albuquerque, N.M. 87109, or to features@abqjournal.com.