How to grow fuchsia

Fuchsia

Fuchsia (Fuchsia) — shrubby plant from the mountains of Central and South America, grown in beds, pots and hanging baskets for its dangling flowers with flared sepals, single or double, in white, pink, red and violet, from spring to autumn. Most garden hybrids are tender; hardy fuchsias can stay outdoors all year. Fuchsia grows best in partial shade. Water it about every 3 days while it grows.

Updated: October 28, 2026

When to plant fuchsia?

Planted as a young plant from a nursery while it is dormant — in early spring before the buds open, or in autumn after leaf fall.

Frost dates · When to plant

Quick facts

Type	Flower
Latin name	Fuchsia
Family	Onagraceae
Planted as	young plants from a nursery
Life span	perennial
Planting season	spring
Light	Partial shade
Frost	does not tolerate frost
Soil for planting	from 10 °C
First flowers	49 days after growth starts
Flowering lasts	120 days
Grown in	Greenhouse, Open ground, At home

How long does fuchsia take from planting to flowering?

From planting to the first flowers: about 49 days, or 7 weeks.

Step	Day
Planting	0
Growth starts	0
First flowers	49
End of flowering	169

Days count from the day of sowing or planting, by the figures of the card.

Where does fuchsia grow?

83,870 records of the plant in gardens, fields and the wild worldwide; most photos come from New Zealand, Chile, United Kingdom, Colombia, and Brazil.

World map: where fuchsia has been recorded — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: christophe duverneix, Jean-Claude Ringenbach, Abbey Ward, Sánchez Delgadillo, Makoto Makoto, Luc Wyn, Sandro Makowski Giannoni, Joey (CC BY / CC0).

Fuchsia, New Zealand — Darker green means more records. Photos are real observations from those countries — tap one to see it. Map and records: GBIF.org (2026-10-28), © OpenMapTiles © OpenStreetMap. Photo: christophe duverneix, Jean-Claude Ringenbach, Abbey Ward, Sánchez Delgadillo, Makoto Makoto, Luc Wyn, Sandro Makowski Giannoni, Joey (CC BY / CC0).

Fuchsia care by growth stage

Greenhouse

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 2 days	13…27 °C	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 28 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage
Flowering	every 2 days	13…27 °C	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 28 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 56 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 70 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 84 days into the stage

Open ground

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every 3 days	—	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 28 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage
Flowering	every 3 days	—	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 28 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 56 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 70 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 84 days into the stage

At home

Stage	Watering	Temperature	Feeding
Growth	every day	13…27 °C	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 28 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage
Flowering	every day	13…27 °C	balanced (NPK), at the start of the stage; balanced (NPK), 14 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 28 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 42 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 56 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 70 days into the stage; balanced (NPK), 84 days into the stage

Growing notes

Light

Sun or light shade, sheltered from wind and hot midday sun; it will not flower in deep shade. Triphylla types with long tubular coral-red flowers need full sun.

Soil

Moist but well-drained soil rich in organic matter, slightly acid. It does poorly in soil that is either very dry or soggy. In pots add grit to multipurpose compost and do not leave them standing in a saucer of water, which rots the roots.

Care

Plant out after the last frost, once nights stay near 10 °C, starting in a shady, sheltered spot. Keep the compost evenly moist — in hot weather a hanging basket may need water two or three times a day. Fuchsias like 13–27 °C and flower less in summer heat. Feed every two weeks with a dilute balanced fertiliser until mid-September. Pinch the shoot tips for bushier plants; flowers form on new growth. Before frost move tender fuchsias to a frost-free place at 4–10 °C (Triphylla types 5–7 °C or more), cut them back and water every 3–4 weeks; in March prune hard, repot and bring them into the light. Hardy fuchsias stay in the ground under a thick mulch; cut out dead stems in April. Keep a variety by stem cuttings, as seedlings do not come true. Watch for spider mites, whitefly and fuchsia rust (orange pustules under the leaves). ASPCA lists the honeysuckle fuchsia (F. triphylla) as non-toxic to pets.

Pests and diseases of Fuchsia

3 problems are recorded for fuchsia; each has a page with symptoms, treatment and prevention.

Diseases

Rust

Pests

Plant lists it is in

Part of: Garden flowers · Perennial garden flowers · Long-flowering plants · Flowers for shade

Sources

Figures checked against these sources.