How to Sow Hibiscus Seeds in Winter

Hibiscus plants have tall vertical stalks that produce large brightly colored flower blossoms in the summer. While the tropical hibiscus grow only in Florida, the hardy hibiscus variety will grow in many northern climates. Since the seeds only propagate when temperatures rise well above freezing, sowing them in winter must be done indoors. This allows gardeners to get an early start on the growing season so that the hibiscus plants bloom sooner once they are planted outdoors.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Bucket
• Perlite
• Sand
• Vermiculite
• Peat
• 4-inch diameter plant pots
• Hibiscus seeds
• Water
• Heat mat

1. Fill a bucket with a mixture of equal parts of perlite, sand, vermiculite and peat. Mix the ingredients together well.

2. Fill 4-inch diameter plant pots with the mixture until they are 3/4 full.

3. Place one or two hibiscus seeds on top of the soil in each pot and cover the seeds with an additional 1/4- to 1/2-inch layer of the soil mixture.

4. Water the soil in the pots until it is completely moist all the way to the bottom.

5. Place the pots in an indoor location that is near a window and set a heat mat underneath them. Plug in the heat mat and set the thermostat to a temperature of between 80 and 85 degrees Fahrenheit.

6. Apply additional water every two to three days to keep the soil moist but not soggy. The hibiscus seeds should sprout in one to four weeks.

Tips & Warnings

• Transplant the hibiscus outdoors once the threat of frost has passed.