Birthday
HydrangeasThis article was prepared with the support of UFL flower delivery. Fuchsia is nicknamed the "ballerina" for its flowers, which look like dancers in full skirts. It comes from the mountain forests of Central and South America and is named after the 16th-century German botanist Leonhart Fuchs. Fuchsias are easy to care for, but they have particular needs, and if these are not met the plant grows without flowering.
The fuchsia year
Fuchsias flower on new growth of the current year, so they need a cool rest in winter, pruning in early spring and pinching of young shoots to form a bushy plant with plenty of buds.
10 reasons a fuchsia is not flowering
Quick fixes
- Heat. Fuchsias like it cool, at 18–22 °C. At 25 °C and above they drop their buds. In summer keep them on an east-facing windowsill, on a partly shaded balcony or under trees in the garden.
- Too little light. Shoots stretch and turn pale. Give bright, indirect light without midday sun.
- Watering mistakes. Water when the top layer is dry and never leave water in the saucer. A dried-out root ball is a common cause of bud drop.
- No feeding. From spring to late summer feed every 1–2 weeks with a flowering-plant fertiliser rich in potassium and phosphorus. Too much nitrogen produces leaves instead of flowers.
- Moving the plant in bud. Do not turn or move the pot once buds appear.
- Pests. Whitefly and spider mites weaken fuchsias. Check under the leaves and treat with an insecticide if necessary.
Longer-term causes
- A warm winter. Kept above 10–12 °C in winter, a fuchsia produces weak, leggy shoots and barely flowers in spring. The ideal winter spot is bright and 5–10 °C, with sparse watering.
- No pruning. In February–March cut shoots back by a third to a half, and in spring pinch young shoots after 2–3 pairs of leaves. Flowering starts 6–8 weeks after the last pinch.
- Too big a pot. Fuchsias flower once roots fill the pot. Repot in spring into a pot only 2–3 cm wider, using light, rich compost with drainage.
- Age and variety. Young cuttings need time, and some varieties flower late. Replace old plants (4–5 years) with new ones from cuttings.
Care at a glance
- Light: bright and indirect; partial shade in summer.
- Temperature: 18–22 °C in summer, 5–10 °C in winter.
- Humidity: fuchsias love fresh, moist air, so mist the leaves (not the flowers) on warm days.
- Propagation: cuttings in spring or late summer root in 2–3 weeks in water or moist compost.
FAQ
Why is my fuchsia dropping its buds?
Usually because of heat, dry compost or moving the pot.
Can fuchsias live outdoors?
Yes, from May to September in partial shade on a balcony or in the garden. Bring them indoors before the frosts.
Love flowering plants? Choose potted plants with delivery from UFL.
View full-size photo
Author: Maria Svitlovir
Graduated from Taras Shevchenko National University of Kyiv, Institute of Biology and Medicine (2001). BSc in Biology, MSc in Horticulture. Writes about plants, works at a garden centre selecting and repotting plants, and contributes to plant reference guides.
