Heavy Pruning

• Ideally, hibiscus plants should be cut back in the late winter or early spring. You can actually safely prune hibiscus through the summer, as long as you give your hibiscus a couple months before the first frost to harden off any new growth. Note that new growth will be slower to bloom and there may be fewer blooms after a heavy pruning. Prune back your plant by about one-third of its original size. Cut branches about 1/4 inch above a leaf node or leaf bud that is facing in the direction you want the limbs to grow, usually up or outward.
  
  

Periodic, Light Pruning

• Some gardeners prune their hibiscus lightly, several times during the year. This keeps the plant blooming on its regular schedule, without too much disturbance. It also doesn't drastically change the appearance of your plant at any one time like heavy pruning does. In the early winter or spring, cut back the longest branches by one-third. In 30 days, cut off the next long branches by one-third. In 30 more days, you can do one last final light pruning. Cut branches off about 1/4 inch above a leaf node or leaf bud that is facing up or out.
  
  

Maintenance Pruning

• Remove weak, broken, damaged, diseased and droopy branches any time during the year. Prune back 1/4 inch above a leaf node that is facing the direction you want new growth to grow. Again, this is usually up or outwards. If you prune diseased stems, don't forget to sterilize your clippers with rubbing alcohol before pruning any other plants.
  
  

Deadheading

• Deadheading is another form of pruning and is the process of pinching or cutting off blooms after they wilt or die. It is done to encourage the plant to use its energy to grow new blooms rather than making seeds. It is not necessary to deadhead hibiscus. It will not grow more blooms because you deadhead. However, feel free to deadhead the spent blooms to improve the appearance of your plant. Hibiscus is deadheaded while it is in bloom, usually in the summer or early fall.