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Hibicus Tree

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From: Eileen G City: Buffalo, NY
I live in Buffalo, NY, it is starting to get cold at night & I don't have room for my very large hibicus tree in the house for the winter. Can I bring it down the basement, which is dark & cool in the winter? Will it go dormant? Do I still water it? I assume the leaves will fall off. But will it come back in the spring? How long do they usually live? Thank you for your help.
	Extension Message From: James Schuster Horticulturist and Plant Pathologist (Retired) schuster@illinois.edu
Most indoor hibicus need a rest period but not for the entire winter. I suspect that if the plant is in too dark a location too long, it will die. Have you considered pruning it carefully to reduce size but maintain the natural look of the plant so you can keep it in a more suitable site?
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