How to Grow the Incredible Fuchsia Plant

The fuchsia plant is an unusual but beautiful plant that can add color to your yard. I bought one as a hanging plant several years ago, and still enjoy its unique blooms every year. Today I want to discuss with you how to grow the incredible fuchsia plant.

History of the Fuchsia Flower

The fuchsia flower has an interesting history. The first fuchsia flower was found in the Dominican Republic by a botanist and missionary, Father Charles Plumier. He named the plant after Leonard Fuchs, a German botanist.

The specific fuchsia plant named after Fuchs he named Fuchsia triphylla coccinea. It is still available today and now called F. triphylla.

The American Fuchsia Society began in 1929, since the plant was becoming so popular in the United States. Many varieties have been bred since, and can be enjoyed by garden lovers to this day.

Fuchsia Flower Characteristics

The fuchsia flower is great to grow in hanging plants, since the flowers grow downward. Their beautiful leaves can grow dense, taking up the whole container.

There are also varieties that grow well in the ground. The stems grow upward instead of outward, but the flowers still grow down. These upward growing fuchsias can grow several feet high!

Both types of fuchsias grow in a variety of vibrant colors to enjoy.

Fuchsias grow best in full to part sun. Many bloom in late spring to fall, with some variation in the time that they bloom. Mine haven’t bloomed since the end of last year, but buds are starting to form here at the beginning of June.

Another characteristic of the fuchsia flower are the flowers themselves. Many have single petals, with the stamen being a different color than the petals themselves. Four petals open to the same or different colored inward petals that can look striking based on the two colors showing.

Some varieties of fuchsia grow with double petals, appearing full and fluffy. I have seen gardens that contain varieties, such as the Gardens of Hearst Castle. Mixing and matching different types and colors of fuchsias in one garden can be beautiful to enjoy.

Types of Fuchsias

There are many different types of fuchsias, over 3,000, making them a popular plant in the United States, England, and elsewhere. Here are several popular types of fuchsia plants.

• Fuchsia Magellanica-These fuchsias are wild and come in a variety all their own.
• “Diva White” Fuchsia-These fuchsia flowers are great for those who prefer light or white colored flowers in their garden.
• Fuchsia “Swingtime”-The beautiful fuchsia flower that grows out from a red stamen are white with a red center.
• Baby Blue Eyes-This fuchsia plant grows upward with beautiful red and violet flowers to enjoy.
• Fuchsia “Beacon”-Similar to the fuchsia plant I have, the flowers on this plant are light purple with the outer parts pink.
• Fuchsia “Heidi Ann”-The ruffled looking flowers on this fuchsia are in a vibrant pink.
• “Black” Fuchsia-This fuchsia variety really stands out with its red and black colored petals.

Fuchsia Care

Fuchsias are quite easy to care for. They prefer full sun, part sun and full shade, counting on which type you get. My hanging fuchsias are in full to part shade most of the year and continue to bloom for me.

If you are going to grow your fuchsia flower in a pot, use well-draining soil. I’ve been using Miracle Gro Potting Mix for years and love it. I recently bought a bag of Nature’s Care Potting Mix and my plants have been happy growing in it as well.

I’ve heard pros and cons about synthetic and organic soil. I have had positive experiences with both. Use whichever you prefer or works well in your garden.

If you are going to grow your fuchsia plant in the ground, use a well-draining ground soil as well. Make sure to mix it with the native soil in the ground before planting your fuchsias.

Water your fuchsia plant regularly but not too much. Plants in containers typically need more watering than in ground plants. Too much water can rot the roots, so watch for this.

Feed your fuchsia flower during the summer to keep blooms coming back. You want to enjoy your fuchsia flowers for as long as possible!

Pinching and Pruning Your Fuchsia

Two other ways to promote flowers to keep growing on your fuchsias are to pinch the finished flowers and prune the plant. Both are good to do to the plant periodically.

Pinch the stems to keep them growing more flowers and to keep the plant growing in general. You can read more about how to prune fuchsias in my pruning fuchsias post.

Grow Your Own Fuchsia Plant

Are you ready to enjoy your very own fuchsia plant? Do you have one or several already? Let me know your thoughts in the comments section below!

Happy gardening!