Getting it to bloom

Why won't my Tree Fuchsia bloom? (and how to make it flower)

Also called Tree Fuchsia, Lilac Fuchsia, Tree-like Fuchsia (Fuchsia arborescens).

More about tree fuchsia

About Tree Fuchsia

Fuchsia arborescens · also called Tree Fuchsia, Lilac Fuchsia · flowering

Fuchsia arborescens is an evergreen shrub or small tree native to Mexico and Central America that stands apart from most fuchsias by producing upright, panicle-like clusters of tiny, lilac-pink flowers rather than the typical pendant bells, giving it an unusual appearance among the genus. In its native highland habitat it can reach 3-8 m, but in cultivation it typically grows to 1.5-2.5 m and thrives in a heated greenhouse or conservatory with cool, bright conditions. The most important care fact is that it requires frost-free conditions at all times — even a brief frost will kill it. Fuchsia is listed by the ASPCA as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses.

Plant type: flowering

Watch for — Fuchsia gall mite (Aculops fuchsiae): This microscopic mite causes distinctive distorted, cauliflower-like growth of shoot tips and flower buds. Remove and destroy all affected growth promptly; there is no chemical treatment available to amateur gardeners in the UK and US, so sanitation and buying certified-clean stock is critical.

The reasons tree fuchsia isn't blooming

Almost every non-blooming tree fuchsia traces back to one of these, roughly in order of how common they are:

Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.
Too much nitrogen feed, driving lush foliage at the expense of flowers (very common with general or lawn feeds).
The plant has not been deadheaded, so it stops flowering once it sets seed.
Irregular watering — drought or waterlogging at the budding stage makes buds abort.
It is still too young or was checked by a transplant and is rebuilding before flowering.

Feeding tree fuchsia a high-nitrogen general feed and growing it in too little sun — you get a big leafy plant and almost no flowers.

The fix — how to get tree fuchsia to flower

Maximise sun. Give tree fuchsia the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers.
Switch the feed. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.
Deadhead regularly. Remove spent flowers often to keep it producing more rather than stopping to set seed.
Water consistently. Keep moisture even through budding and flowering — drought-then-flood swings make buds drop.

Light and feeding do most of the heavy lifting here. Dial in the spot with the light guide for tree fuchsia and get the feeding right with the tree fuchsia fertilising schedule — the wrong feed (too much nitrogen) is one of the most common silent reasons a healthy plant makes leaves instead of flowers.

Bloom season and what to expect

Tree Fuchsia flowers across its growing season (mostly summer) and, kept fed and deadheaded, can bloom for many weeks or right up to frost.

Post-bloom care so it flowers again

Deadhead, keep feeding lightly, and many will rebloom; collect seed from the best plants at the end of the season if you want to grow them again.

For everything else this plant needs day to day, see the full tree fuchsia care brief and its watering schedule — a stressed, badly watered plant rarely has the energy to flower at all.

Tree Fuchsia blooming — frequently asked questions

Why won't my tree fuchsia flower?

Tree Fuchsia blooms on the season's growth given enough sun, warmth and the right feed — there is no cold or photoperiod trick, just good growing conditions and a bloom-leaning feed. The most common reason it is not happening: Too little sun — most of these need full sun (or very bright light) to flower well; shade gives leaves, not blooms.

How do I make tree fuchsia bloom?

Give tree fuchsia the sunniest spot you have — for most bedding and fruiting plants, more direct light directly means more flowers. Move off high-nitrogen feeds and use a higher-potassium "bloom" or tomato-type feed as it comes into flower.

When does tree fuchsia normally bloom?