Hibiscus plants are popular tropical shrubs that can be grown in the ground or in containers. If you've had your hibiscus for a while you may find that it needs a bigger container or is becoming crowded in your garden. If this happens it may be time to transplant it to another place. Other reasons to transplant your hibiscus: if it needs more sunlight, is not thriving where it is, or if you'd just like to move it to a different spot.
Choose a new location for your transplanted hibiscus. Choose a spot that receives six to eight hour of sun each day and is protected from strong winds. Hibiscus should be planted in a loose soil that drains well.
Cut back the branches of the hibiscus by one-third, using sharp, clean garden shears or hedge trimmers.
Dig a small trench around the plant that goes out a one foot for each inch of the trunk's diameter.
Use a sharp spade to dig straight down, taking care to avoid disturbing the roots. Dig carefully until the main roots of the plant are revealed. Try to keep as much soil as possible around the roots to protect them.
Work a piece of burlap or hessian, a natural jute cloth, around the root ball. Pull it up over the roots and soil and tie at the top with a piece of twine or string. Carefully pull the hibiscus out of the ground and move it to its new location.
Dig the new hole for your hibiscus. The hole should be at least one foot wider than the root ball and as deep as the root ball is tall.
Loosen the soil at the bottom of the hole. Remove the burlap and place the plant in the ground so that it sits at the same level as it was previously planted. Fill the hole three-quarters full with soil and water and pat down the soil to remove any air pockets.
Place stakes into the ground around the plant to support it and fill the rest of the hole with a soil and peat moss mixture.
Water thoroughly every two or three days for the first month after transplanting. Let the soil dry before watering again.