If you want to add a bold, distinctive combination of hues to your perennial garden, think about growing some fuchsias.
This guide will teach you everything you need to know to successfully grow and care for these beautiful blooms.
Jump to any section in the advanced jump below, or read on for our full guide to growing fuchsias.
Jump to:
- What Are Fuchsias?
- Are Fuchsias Perennials or Annuals?
- Fuchsia Basics
- Where Do Fuchsias Grow?
- Why Grow Fuchsias?
- When Do Fuchsias Bloom?
- How Long Do Fuchsias Bloom?
- When to Plant Fuchsias
- Ideal Growing Conditions for Fuchsias
- How to Plant Fuchsias
- How to Propagate Fuchsias
- How to Care for Fuchsias
- Recommended Planting Combinations for Fuchsia
- Fuchsia Landscaping Ideas
- Recommended Fuchsia Varieties
- Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Fuchsias
- Where to Buy Fuchsias
What Are Fuchsias?
We use the name “fuchsia” to refer to plants that are part of the genus Fuchsia.
Often, people misspell the name of this plant as “fuschia” rather than “fuchsia.” Of course, we will be referring to them properly as fuchsias and not as “fuschias.” There is no “s” between the “u” and the “c.”
These spelling mistakes are understandable; the word does sound like it might have an “s” in it somewhere.
The word “fuchsia’ also refers to a specific color, which is a kind of pinkish-purple hue.
A purplish pink color that is similar but warmer in tone is magenta.
The classic fuchsia’ flower features a combination of hues. The outer petals are a kind of reddish-magenta color, and the inner petals are a vivid, contrasting purple.
Indeed, they do not really appear to be “fuchsia” in hue at all, except perhaps when seen at a distance, where the colors might appear to blend together and create that effect.
It may surprise you to learn that there are actually a range of fuchsia cultivars in an abundance of colors.
You might be wondering whether the name “fuchsia” for this plant is derived from the color or vice versa. The plant name came first. In fact, botanist Charles Plumier chose this name as a tribute to botanist Leonhart Fuchs. Keeping that in mind should make it quite a bit easier to spell the name correctly.
Are Fuchsias Perennials or Annuals?
The majority of fuchsias are classified as tender or half-hardy perennials. Depending on the type you have, they may survive outdoors year-round in climate zones 9-11. This is not a surprise, given their native range.
That said, there are some winter-hardy fuchsias that can live outdoors year-round all the way down to climate zone 6. The author of this piece kept a fuchsia for some time in zone 7b with no issues.
What if you live in a colder climate zone, or you have the wrong type of fuchsia for your zone? Do not despair; you can always overwinter the fuchsia indoors if you must. It is common to grow them in pots, so bringing one inside for the coldest part of the year should not be an issue. That way, you can keep enjoying its blooms each year.
Fuchsia Basics
| Zones: | 6-11 (depending on the type) |
| Blooming season: | Spring through fall |
| Expected height: | 1-3 feet |
| Soil: | A rich, moist, well-draining soil |
| Sun: | Full to partial shade |
Where Do Fuchsias Grow?
The native reach of fuchsias extends mainly through South America and Central America. There are also some in New Zealand, Tahiti, and Hispaniola. They are now cultivated across other regions.
Why Grow Fuchsias?
• Fuchsias are popular for their lengthy bloom period, which extends for months.
• Fuchsias are edible plants. You can make the berries into jam if you grow a species that produces tasty ones.
• Fuchsia plants are safe and nontoxic to dogs and cats.
• It is a myth that you can only grow fuchsias as perennials in zones 9-11. Even if you are in zone 6, you may be able to do so.
• You will appreciate how low-maintenance fuchsias are. They are easy to grow, even for novice gardeners.
• If you are struggling to find plants for a shade garden, you will be happy to learn that fuchsias are often quite happy in wooded settings.
• There are thousands of different cultivars of fuchsias to choose from, and they are surprisingly varied in their colors and appearances.
• Many different pollinators like fuchsias, including hummingbirds, bees and butterflies.
• The landscaping possibilities for fuchsias are numerous thanks to the varied growth habits of the different types.
When Do Fuchsias Bloom?
The bloom period for fuchsias is spring through fall.
How Long Do Fuchsias Bloom?
Individual fuchsia blooms do not last that long, but fuchsias bloom repeatedly through the growing season, especially if you deadhead them. That means that you can enjoy their flowers for months every year.
When to Plant Fuchsias
To give your fuchsia plants time to establish, plant them in spring. That way, when winter comes around, they will be ready.
Ideal Growing Conditions for Fuchsias
For fuchsias to thrive, they need the right growing conditions. Let’s go over the sun, soil, and water needs for these plants.
How Much Sun Do Fuchsias Need?
Partial shade to full shade is best for fuchsias. Direct sunlight is okay in the mornings, but you should avoid it in the afternoons.
What Type of Soil is Right for Fuchsias?
Keep the soil moist for your fuchsias, but ensure that it is draining. The soil should be rich in organic matter and preferably on the acidic side.
Compost makes a wonderful amendment for fuchsias. It simultaneously improves drainage, richness, and acidity.
How Much Water Do Fuchsias Need?
Fuchsias can be thirsty plants. Follow these general guidelines:
• For fuchsias in the ground, watering 1-2 times weekly is usually sufficient (sometimes rain will take care of it for you).
• For fuchsias in pots, you might need to water every day during the hottest time of the year.
Hot soil is bad for fuchsias, so you may have to water even those in the ground more frequently during the peak of summer. Just make sure you do not overwater them and that the water is able to drain readily.
How to Plant Fuchsias
Below, we share the full instructions for how to plant fuchsias in your flower beds or pots.
Ground Planting
Here is how you can plant fuchsias in your garden beds. We recommend you only do this with fuchsias that can live outdoors year-round in your region. Otherwise, stick with container plants that you can overwinter with ease.
1. Try to pick a sheltered spot in your garden that features rich soil. It is a good idea to amend it with compost before you plant your fuchsias, especially if it is not already rich to begin with.
The compost will both enrich the soil and improve its drainage. To further enhance nutrition, mix in slow-release fertilizer.
2. Dig holes for your fuchsia plants. They should each be separated by about a foot. Plant your fuchsias in the holes.
3. Backfill the soil. As you do, make sure you are planting deeply; you want around 2 inches of the stem to be buried. The purpose for this is to insulate the crown. That way, your fuchsias are more likely to endure the winter.
4. Water well.
Container Planting
1. Get a container with drainage holes for your fuchsia plant, and fill it with a suitable potting mix containing a mixture of peat moss or compost, perlite or vermiculite, and hay or straw.
2. When your container is partway full, you can remove your plant from the nursery pot it arrived in and set it inside its new home.
3. Fill in the rest of the potting mix.
4. Water well.
How to Propagate Fuchsias
There are several options for propagating fuchsias: you can grow them from seeds, you can start them from cuttings, or you can divide them. Let’s explain how to do each step-by-step.
Starting Fuchsias from Seed
If you want to propagate fuchsias from seed, know that you probably will get a plant that does not look like the parent. If you are okay with that, then feel free to proceed! Here is how to do it.
1. Wait for your existing plant to produce its berries. Then, harvest the berries. Make sure you get to them before the birds do. If they are still not ripe enough, you may need to wait, in which case you will need to cover the berries to protect them from the birds.
2. Use a knife to cut the berries open. Remove the seeds.
3. Put the seeds on a paper towel to dry.
4. Transfer the seeds into an airtight container until you are ready to start them (make sure they are completely dry before you do this).
5. Get small containers with drainage holes and fill them with seed starting mix. Damping off will happen if you use garden soil, so do not make this mistake.
6. Water the containers. Wait for the excess water to drain.
7. Place the seeds on top of the seed starting mix. Do not cover them. They cannot germinate without exposure to light.
Sowing the seeds can prove to be a bit of a challenge, given their small size. The American Fuchsia Society says, “There are several ways to drop the seeds onto the medium. One is to drop the seeds into the left palm and pick up one at a time with the thumb and index finger of the right hand; yes, it is possible, but whoever said that everything in this world is easy? Another way is to crease a small piece of paper lengthwise, distribute the seeds along the crease, then gently tap the paper to drop one seed at a time onto the medium. Many seed and garden supply houses offer various seeders, which will handle even tiny seeds.”
These ideas can also help you when you are propagating other garden perennials from their seeds.
8. Use a spray bottle to moisten the seed starter mix without dislodging the seeds.
9. Cover the container with a plastic lid or plastic wrap. Whatever you use needs to be clear to allow the light to get through to the seeds.
10. Place the container in a warm location; consider using a heating mat if you want to move the process along rapidly. And remember, they need light, so a sunny window may be ideal. But make sure the light is indirect or filtered, not direct.
11. Water the seeds as needed for 1-4 months, after which you should see the seedlings sprout.
12. Take the cover off the seedlings. Continue to care for them for the next week or so.
13. When they are ready, you can transplant the seedlings outdoors after hardening them.
Starting Fuchsias from Cuttings
When you take cuttings to propagate fuchsias, consider doing so in spring so that you can plant them outside right away. Cuttings that are taken later in the season will not be able to establish outdoors in time for winter, so they will need to stay indoors until spring arrives.
Regardless of the season you choose to take your cuttings, morning is the best time of day for it.
1. Use sanitized garden shears to cut off some pieces of softwood stem. Each one should measure roughly 6 inches and should include several leaf sets with a node at the base.
2. Leave the leaves in place that are at the top of each cutting. Take off the rest.
3. Get containers with drainage holes and fill them with seed starting mix.
4. Dip the ends of your fuchsia cuttings in the rooting hormone.
5. Gently push the ends of the cuttings into the potting mix. You may need to use a chopstick to create some holes first. This will reduce the chances of damaging the stems as you insert them.
6. Use a spray bottle to gently moisten the potting mix if you have not done so already.
7. Cover the container with the cuttings with a clear plastic bag. Prop it up so that it does not touch the cuttings themselves. This step is to prevent rot.
8. Choose a spot for the cuttings where they will receive filtered sun for several hours daily.
9. Continue to moisten the potting mix when you need to, replacing the bag with care each time so that the cuttings do not contact it. Keep doing this for three weeks.
10. Check on your cuttings to see if they have rooted. If they have not, give them a little more time. If they have, you can transplant them.
You do need to harden your cuttings before you put them outside. And again, if it is too late in the growing season, you are going to have to wait until the next spring.
How to Divide Fuchsias
Below, we explain how to divide fuchsias. But first, a couple of cautions:
• Do not try to divide a fuchsia standard tree. Just leave it be.
• Fuchsias that are taller than 4 feet should not be divided. The roots will be very established and will not want to come up. There is a good chance the tree plant will not survive the process. As you will learn shortly, there is another good reason as well, which is that the process is way too involved. So, leave it alone.
The best time for dividing a fuchsia is late autumn. If you miss that window, however, you can get away with doing it in spring so long as the growing season has not yet begun.
1. Prune the fuchsia by 30%.
2. Start digging in a circle around the fuchsia using a shovel. You need to give the plant a fairly wide berth because the roots stretch out a way.
You also need to dig deep—as in really deep. However tall the fuchsia is, that is how deep you need to go. That means if your fuchsia is 2 feet tall, you need to dig 2 feet down. If it is 3 feet tall, you need to dig 3 feet down. You can see why you would not want to try and divide a fuchsia that is 4 feet tall.
3. Once you have made a sufficiently deep circle around the plant, you can push your shovel underneath the roots and pry the plant out of the ground. This may be challenging, and if you are still running into roots, you may have to go deeper.
4. After removing the plant from the ground, wipe the loose soil away to get a better view.
5. Divide the roots with a sanitized knife.
6. Transplant the newly-divided plants.
7. Water well.
How to Care for Fuchsias
Having learned how to plant and propagate fuchsias, you now are ready to learn how to maintain them. Let’s explore care instructions for fertilizing, mulching, and more.
How to Fertilize Fuchsias
Do fuchsia plants need to be fertilized? Yes, they do. The Seattle Times recommends that you apply a balanced liquid fertilizer every other week or so. You can learn some additional recommendations for fertilizing in the section below on mulching.
How to Mulch Fuchsias
It is a good idea to mulch fuchsias. Gardeners World says, “Mulch hardy fuchsias in the ground each spring with well-rotted manure or garden compost – this will lock in moisture and will feed the plant. You could scatter feed (such as fish, blood, and bone) around the base, too. Feed fuchsias in pots regularly with a high potash liquid plant food (such as tomato food) throughout summer to encourage more flowers.”
You also are going to want to apply mulch in the fall to protect outdoor fuchsias during winter. Wood chips or leaves work well; how much you need depends on where you live. A couple of inches is suitable in a warmer zone, but in a cooler zone, you might need up to 6 inches.
Given the depth of the mulch, it is very important not to put the mulch too close to the base of the plant. Otherwise, you will trap a lot of moisture and promote rot. You might also invite pests.
How to Stake Fuchsias
Fuchsias have a variety of growth habits. Some of them are trailing, others are shaped like bushes, still, others climb, and there are even standard fuchsias.
Some types of fuchsias do not require staking. For example, if you get a trailing fuchsia, you probably will have it hanging from a basket. In other words, you want it to droop over the edge of the container, not stand upright.
But if you have a climbing fuchsia or a standard fuchsia, yes, you are going to need to train it.
Regular bamboo stakes work great for fuchsias you wish to train. Ideally, you should push the stake into the soil before you plant the fuchsia itself so you do not risk any damage to the roots. Carefully tie the stem to the stake using nursery tape. Continue to tape it as it grows, pruning it as necessary to achieve the shape and effect you are looking for.
How to Prune Fuchsias
The pruning demands of fuchsias, on the whole, are quite low, assuming you are not trying to grow a standard fuchsia into a tree. Below is what you need to know concerning deadheading and trimming back these plants.
How to Deadhead Fuchsias
If you want to encourage repeat blooms, deadheading your fuchsias can help. To do this, simply pinch them off by hand after they begin to wilt.
What if you pinch off the old blooms, but many weeks go by without new ones? If the bloom season is not yet at an end, what you can do is trim the stem in question. Sometimes this more aggressive approach will pay off. It also is a good option if you want your fuchsia to be more compact.
What happens if you choose not to deadhead fuchsia plants? It is no big deal. They may not bloom as abundantly for as long a time period, but the spent blooms will drop off without your help. So they will still maintain a clean appearance.
When to Cut Back Fuchsias
Gardens Illustrated offers detailed advice on trimming hardy fuchsia, writing, “Fuchsias flower on the new growth from spring into autumn. Pruning can be used to promote more vigorous growth and flowering where desired. Ideally, this should be carried out in the spring after the chance of frost has passed (although earlier pruning for the sake of spring combinations may be worth the risk). If a plant has suffered frost damage, cut back to live wood or after an extreme winter to the base of the plant. Look for the new shoots; this will indicate how much has been frosted and guide you on where to prune to.”
What about fall pruning? Quite a few resources say that trimming the plant back in preparation for winter is a good idea as well.
In some cases, however, you might actually get away with not pruning your fuchsias at all; it depends on where you live and what type you have.
Are Fuchsias Vulnerable to Diseases or Pests?
Fuchsias can be susceptible to quite a few different diseases, including root rot, botrytis blight, damping off, root and crown rot, rust, viruses, and verticillium wilt. Simply avoiding overwatering your plants or keeping them in standing water can go a long way toward preventing many of these diseases. This is the same basic advice that applies to growing the vast majority of perennials.
Pests that sometimes target fuchsias include aphids, armoured scales, thrips, whiteflies, soft scales, mealybugs, fuller rose beetles, cyclamen mites, and fuchsia gall mites.
You will be delighted to hear that while slugs and snails sometimes eat fuchsias, they generally are not that interested in them. They are far more likely to go after other plants in your garden.
We have seen fuchsias make lists of deer-resistant and rabbit-resistant plants, so that is more good news. There is one caveat, though; some types of fuchsias are attractive to deer even though others repel them. So, if you live in an area with a lot of deer, try to get fuchsias that are specifically deer-resistant.
Recommended Planting Combinations for Fuchsia
Whether you are growing fuchsias in your garden beds or in containers, you can plant them with companions (despite the fact that you should only put one fuchsia in each of your containers).
Thompson Morgan recommends the following plants as fuchsia companions in pots: petunias, lobelias, geraniums, begonias, and Busy Lizzie plants. Additionally, the site suggests that you think first and foremost about which colors would look nice with the hues of your fuchsias when choosing companions in containers.
When you are planting fuchsias in your garden beds, some companions you can consider include hostas, coral bells, nasturtiums, and rhododendrons. These plants flourish in the same conditions that fuchsias do.
Fuchsia Landscaping Ideas
How can you use fuchsias in your landscaping? There are a lot of exciting options. Let’s check them out.
• Container garden: By far, the most common use for fuchsias we see is in container gardens on decks and patios. You can plant them in pots or in hanging baskets.
• Focal point: You can use a fuchsia as a focal point in your landscape by growing it as a bush, climbing plant, or standard tree.
• Fence: Occasionally, we see gardeners growing fuchsias on or through fences. There are a couple of ways this can work. If you have a climbing plant, you can train it to climb directly on the fence. If you have a bush-type fuchsia, you can simply plant it along the fence, and it will grow through the openings for a lovely effect.
• Border: Sometimes, fuchsia can work as a border plant. It looks especially nice interspersed with other bushy border plants.
• Arbor or trellis: Climbing fuchsia can grow on a trellis or even an arbour for a stunning look.
Recommended Fuchsia Varieties
To inspire you and give you some ideas for what to plant in your own garden, let’s check out a few exciting types of fuchsias.
• Swingtime: The pink and white flowers of this cultivar are a stunning addition to any garden. The stamens and sepals match to create a really dazzling effect. You can enjoy the flowers starting in June and running into October. They are suitable for zones 8-11 and will need to be overwintered indoors in cooler zones.
• Dollar Princess: Consider this cultivar if you are looking for beautiful flowers with the traditional red sepals and purple petals that you probably associate with fuchsia plants. In most climates, this plant will need to come inside for the winter.
• Blands New Stripe: The exotic flowers on this type of fuchsia sport bi-color purple and pink petals with red sepals.
• Lady in Black: Create an elegant look in your garden with this cultivar. It produces blooms with bright red sepals and petals that are extremely dark in hue, almost black. It is a super fast grower; in just one season, it can climb 6 feet.
• Seventh Heaven: One particularly dramatic type of fuchsia is this cultivar. Its blooms are large and abundant, featuring a mix of white and pink hues. If you want to draw pollinators to your garden, it should be one of your top choices.
• Boliviana: For an unusual fuchsia that produces delicate flowers with red sepals and purple petals, consider this one.
• Alba: As the name suggests, this is a cultivar of fuchsia that is entirely white.
• President Barrie Nash: One of the most distinctive-looking fuchsias you will come across is this one, featuring light pink sepals with deep purple petals. The contrast is breathtaking.
• Rapunzel: This cultivar has an appearance that is similar to President Barrie Nash; its petals are purple, and the sepals are a light pink that is almost white.
• Blue Angel: If you are in search of a fuchsia that produces blue blooms, consider this cultivar. The sepals are white, and the petals are a deep bluish-purple color. It is not a true blue, but it is pretty close in the right lighting.
• Fulgens: This fuchsia produces long, tubular blooms with a reddish color.
Frequently Asked Questions About Growing Fuchsias
Below you can find answers to some frequently asked questions about fuchsias.
Insects are most likely to be the ones eating your fuchsias. Slugs, snails, and deer are all possibilities as well, but they are less likely. See our section on diseases and pests for more information.
Fuchsias are not poisonous to cats or dogs. This makes them one of the safer plants you can choose for your garden if you have pets that hang out in your yard.
The correct spelling is “fuchsia,” not “fuschia.” But if you found your way here looking up “how to grow fuschias,” you are in the right place.
Yes, fuchsias are edible. In fact, you can consume the flowers, leaves, and berries. Some fuchsia berries are apparently quite delicious. Try planting Fuchsia splendens if you want tasty fruits.
Be aware that not all fuchsia berries are said to be delectable; some are even apparently off-putting. Do your research when selecting a species if you want to harvest them to eat.
Sometimes, fuchsias can survive the winter. It depends on your climate zone as well as the type of fuchsia you have. While most are hardy only in zones 9-11, there are some that are hardy outdoors down to zone 6.
Fuchsias that are not outdoor-hardy in your climate can survive the winter if you bring them indoors.
Where to Buy Fuchsias
At your local garden center, you probably are only going to find a couple of types of fuchsias. If you want access to a broad variety of them, then you are going to need to shop for them online.
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