Indoors or Outdoors

• When to prune your hibiscus tree depends on whether it lives indoors or outdoors. An outdoor tree that is planted in the ground does not need to be pruned until it reaches the height where it is in danger of hitting power lines or buildings. An outdoor hibiscus tree that is potted needs to be pruned or repotted when the roots poke out of the bottom of the pot or when the outer leaves begin to look yellowed or dry.
  
  If a hibiscus tree is indoors, the leaves and branches should be pruned when they no longer fit into the space that you have allotted for the tree. Consider repotting it once per year, as long as it continues to grow.
  
  

Appearance

• A hibiscus tree should be full and leafy. If it is so leafy that it appears to be bursting, or if it is looking unkempt, you can prune it back. If the leaves are yellowed on the tips, it means they are not getting enough water, so the plant needs to be either repotted so it can establish a deeper root structure or pruned so there aren't as many leaves to deliver water to.
  
  

Pruning

• If you have determined that it is time to prune your hibiscus tree, grasp the branches that are too long or too full as close to the main branch as you can. Clip them off with garden shears at the desired spot. Make a diagonal cut instead of a straight cut to encourage faster healing.