Like most shrubs, hibiscus plants need regular pruning to maintain optimal growth and appearance. The shrubs are hardy and vigorous, so gardeners should not be afraid to prune the plant, says North Dakota State University. Heavy pruning in the early spring encourages the hibiscus to send out lots of new growth and produce a bountiful amount of the plant's trademark blossoms.
Wait for the early spring months of February or March to give the hibiscus shrub its annual pruning. The University of Florida advises against pruning the plant at any other time of the year unless such pruning is critically necessary for removing dead or weak branches.
Envision the shape that you wish to form out of the hibiscus shrub. Typically, gardeners choose to shape their hibiscus into a symmetrical shape.
Identify the nearest leaf node--a small bump on the branch where leaves emerge--to where you want to cut the hibiscus branch.
Chop off the end of the branch 1/4 inch past the leaf node. This allows new growth to sprout from the end of the pruned branch. Repeat for all the other branches on the shrub, trimming as necessary to shape the shrub.