How to Plant by Seed Hibiscus

Hibiscus is a group of flowering shrubs that are easy to fall in love with. Most varieties produce trumpet-shaped flowers that come in a large range of pastel shades. Hibiscus bushes are typically coveted for their long bloom season, which can extend over the entire growing season with proper care. They are regarded as tropical plants and cannot tolerate cold temperatures. Hibiscus are easily started from seed indoors provided you can give them a consistently warm temperature.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You’ll Need:

• Seed starting mix
• Colander or wire basket
• 4-inch plastic pots or planting packs
• Tray or basin that will hold 2 inches of water
• Hobby knife or nail file
• Spray bottle
• Shovel or trowel
• Scissors or all purpose snips

Preparing and Planting the Seeds

1. Sift the seed starting mix through a colander or wire basket. That will eliminate pebbles, sticks and other objects that may interfere with the germination of the hibiscus seeds.

2. Pour the sifted mixture into 4-inch plastic pots or planting packs.

3. Set the pots or packs in a tray or basin that contains about 2 inches of water. The mixture should be allowed to soak up enough water to make it thoroughly damp.

4. Poke one 1- or 2 1/2-inch deep hole in the middle of each pot or pack.

5. Cut off a small section (about 1/8 inch) of the seed coat on each hibiscus seed. You may use a hobby knife or, if you experience difficulty, a nail file.

6. Drop one hibiscus seed into each hole in the pots or packs.

7. Cover each seed with 1/2 inch of the sifted seed starting mix.

8. Transfer the pots or packs into a warm, light-filled area in your home, such as near a south- or south-west facing window. The location should be free of drafts, and the temperature should remain consistently around 65 to 75 F.

9. Mist the pots or packs with water two to three times each day. Germination will start in about eight to 10 days. The hibiscus seedlings can be transplanted into a garden when they are about 2 or 3 inches tall.

    

Planting Hibiscus

1. Find a sunny area in your garden for the hibiscus seedlings.

2. Dig a planting hole for every hibiscus. The hole should be two to three times the diameter of the seedling’s container and about the same depth as the container. If you plant more than one hibiscus, each planting hole should be between 3 and 6 feet from the next hole.

3. Cut a side of each container using a pair of scissors or all purpose snips. Do this all the way around each container until you can free the seedling’s root ball easily from the container.

4. Plant one hibiscus seedling in each planting hole. Place it at the same level or depth it grew in its container.

5. Replace the soil. Back-fill each planting hole with soil while you hold the hibiscus vertical until the hole is about 1/2 full of soil. Then gently pack the soil all the way around the hole, pushing the soil toward the root ball to remove air pockets. Finish filling the hole with soil.

6. Water the hibiscus thoroughly, ensuring water reaches the roots. Hibiscus need 1 inch of water each week. Water as needed to supplement rainfall.