It’s always rewarding when you grow plants from seed. This is especially true with the perennial Hibiscus flowers.
Growing hibiscus from seed takes some effort as it takes 2-3 months until they mature, but it is very rewarding.
In this simple guide, you’ll learn everything you need to know about growing Hibiscus from seed.
Table of Contents
How to Grow Hibiscus from Seed?
Growing Hibiscus from seed can be split into two steps, germinating and planting. Hibiscus seeds need warm temperatures between 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit and a humidity level between 75-90% to sprout and grow. Use a grow box to achieve these conditions. Indoors LED grow lights are needed for the seedlings to mature. It takes around 2-3 months to start Hibiscus from seed.
How to Grow Hibiscus From Seed
1. Hibiscus Germination
Ideally, you should start the germination process indoors. Around 3 months before the last spring frost is due.
Once you have your Hibiscus seeds then first you have to prepare them for germination.
Hibiscus seeds come with thick skin for protection. This is why you should nick the seeds with a knife or sandpaper before germinating.
Nicking your seed will speed up the germination process by several weeks.
When you nick the seed, you make an entrance for water. And you’ll also make it easier for the seedling to break through.
Once you’ve done this, you need to soak the seed in water at room temperature for at least an hour. For better results, you should leave the seeds soaking overnight.
Once soaked, put your seeds, nicked side up, into small pots or trays. These should be filled with a seedling starting mix that doesn’t contain added fertilizer.
Add a dome above the seed tray to increase the humidity and put a seedling heat mat underneath to increase the temperature of the soil and the air.
A temperature and humidity between 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit and the same % for humidity are suggested by the Hibiscus Society.
You should choose trays or pots with drainage holes because it’s easy for Hibiscus seeds to rot in soggy conditions.
The seeds need to be placed between a half and a quarter-inch (one to one and a half centimeters) deep into the earth. Then you should lightly cover them over with compost.
A light covering of compost will make it easier for the seedlings to come through.
After 5-7 days the hibiscus seeds will germinate under high humidity and temperature.
Use a seed tray with seedling starter soil for hibiscus seeds
2. Ideal Temperature and Humidity to Germinate Hibiscus
The ideal temperature for germinating Hibiscus ranges from 80 to 85 degrees Fahrenheit (25 to 29 degrees Celsius). If you don’t live in a country with a warm climate then you might have to use a heat tray.
Because Hibiscus is tropical then you have to keep the heat and humidity levels right. You can do this with a humidity dome.
You can buy a purpose-made humidity dome or you can make your own.
You can make a humidity dome with a large, plastic, food storage bag or a takeaway food container. For small pots, you can use disposable plastic cups.
The dome must be transparent and it must cover the whole of your tray or pots. You should also give it one small air hole to encourage circulation.
Check your germinating Hibiscus daily and water them if they feel dry.
But don’t give them too much water. Hibiscus like a lot of heat and moisture but excessive water is bad for them.
Use a seedling heat mat underneath the seedling tray
Your baby Hibiscus will start to sprout after 7 to 14 days, however, sometimes they may take a little longer.
If they haven’t appeared after three weeks then don’t be afraid to check what’s going on in the soil. Sometimes you may be able to give your seed a little helping hand.
Once your seedlings have surfaced then they will need strong light for 16 hours a day. You can provide this at a window or by using fluorescent or LED grow lights.
When you’re using grow lights make sure that you give your plants the recommend 8 hours of rest at night. They need this break to rejuvenate in the same way that we need sleep.
A humidity dome is recommended for the hibiscus seedlings to sprout and grow
3. Planting Hibiscus
In around 2 to 3 weeks your Hibiscus should be ready to be transplanted into their own individual pots. By this time they should have woody stems and at least two sets of true leaves.
You should put them into small 4-inch (10 centimeters) pots. And you should be very gentle when you’re doing this. The roots of young Hibiscus are easily damaged.
Now is also the time to start giving your Hibiscus some food. Give them half-strength, water-soluble food as per manufacturers’ instructions.
4-inch pots are best to transfer the seedlings in
4. How to Harden Off Hibiscus
Once they’ve settled into their pots and there’s no more risk of frost outside, then it’s time to harden your plants off.
You can do this by leaving your goji berry plants in a sheltered area outside for at least a few hours each day. This gives them a chance to adapt to their new environment.
With tropical Hibiscus, unless you live in a warm climate, you should keep them in pots rather than plant them in the ground.
This is because you’ll have to move them inside during the winter otherwise they will perish in the cold.
Perennial Hibiscus on the other hand will thrive outdoors so you can plant these directly into the earth.
When you’re choosing a spot for your hibiscus, make sure that the plant gets lots of sunlight.
Hibiscus thrives in a rich, loamy soil. So you may have to prepare the earth beforehand to get the conditions just right.
When you plant your Hibiscus outside, do it on a cool, cloudy day. This will stop it from suffering from transplant shock.
If you live in a place with a colder climate, your Hibiscus will usually die back in the winter. But you should add extra mulch to help protect its roots from the cold.
Plant Hibiscus on a cool cloudy day to ensure it is not stressed too much
Frequently Asked Questions about How to Grow Hibiscus from Seed
Is it easy to grow Hibiscus from seed?
Hibiscus plants aren´t the simplest plants to grow from seed. But even though it takes a bit more effort, you’ll find it very rewarding.
Do I need lots of equipment to grow Hibiscus from seed?
If you live in a hot and sunny climate then you won’t need specialist equipment to grow Hibiscus from seed. But in colder climates, you may need a heat mat and lights.
How long does it take for a Hibiscus to grow from seed?
It takes around 8 to 12 weeks to grow Hibiscus from seed, depending on their growing conditions.
Conclusion About How to Grow Hibiscus from Seed
To grow hibiscus from seed temperatures between 75-90 degrees Fahrenheit and humidity within the same range are needed. This is best achieved by using a grow box. After 2-3 months the hibiscus is ready to be transplanted.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.