Hardy Hibiscus Seed Starting

Hardy Hibiscus Seed Starting

At Garden Starts Nursery, we grow plants from seed in our working nursery. Hardy hibiscus seed starting can be fun and very rewarding, and the Luna series is one we like to grow. Below is our nursery approach, followed by seed choices to help you plan your own planting. Our online stores sell seeds, not live plants.

How We Start Luna Hibiscus Seeds in Our Nursery

Prepare the trays and seed-starting mix

The Luna Hibiscus seeds are great to start we use a 200 cell tray to start these in as we have a vacuum seeder because the volume of trays we grow in our nursery and for other garden centers and cut flower farmers local. We like to use Pro Mix FPX it is a great light seed starting mix we do add vermiculite to it that way it aerates it well and has good water retention.

Sow in the center of each cell

We like to place seeds in center of each cell and then we cover with soil they will be about 1/8" to 1/4" deep works best be sure they are in center that way they will sprout in the center and have plenty of room to root and then the roots will have even growth.

Keep the germination mix warm and moist

We water these well and we place a dome over them. They will need a soil temperature of about 68f to 75f to germinate. These Hibiscus should germinate about 75% in 6 days and then we take the dome off the seedlings.

This timing describes our nursery experience, not a guaranteed germination rate or schedule for every seed lot. Check the directions for your selected variety before sowing.

Which Hardy Hibiscus Seeds Should You Choose?

For a coordinated planting, choose a single color: Luna White for white blooms with red centers, Luna Pink Swirl for soft two-tone flowers, or Luna Rose for rich pink color. Luna Mix is a good choice when you want several colors. For a shorter planting, compare the Honeymoon series: choose Deep Red for a bold accent or Formula Mix for a varied display.

All six featured packets contain 50 seeds. Choose your favorite below, then check its product page for variety-specific planting information.

Luna White hibiscus with white petals and red centers

Luna White

50 seeds. Large white flowers with red centers on plants around 36 inches tall.

Best for: a white-flowered perennial border.

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Luna Pink Swirl hibiscus with pink and white petals

Luna Pink Swirl

50 seeds. Pink-and-white blooms with a deep red eye on plants around 36 inches tall.

Best for: soft two-tone color in a sunny garden.

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Luna Rose hibiscus with rich pink blooms

Luna Rose

50 seeds. Rich rose-pink flowers on plants around 36 inches tall.

Best for: a strong pink focal point in perennial beds.

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Luna Mix hibiscus in white, pink and red

Luna Mix

50 seeds. A mix of flower colors for a varied planting, with plants around 36 inches tall.

Best for: gardeners who want a colorful mixed display.

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Honeymoon Deep Red hibiscus with dark red flowers

Honeymoon Deep Red

50 seeds. Deep red flowers on plants approximately 22–30 inches tall.

Best for: bold color in a shorter perennial planting.

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Honeymoon Formula Mix hibiscus in pink, white and red

Honeymoon Formula Mix

50 seeds. Mixed flower colors on plants approximately 22–30 inches tall.

Best for: a varied display with a shorter plant habit.

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Pink-and-white hibiscus flower

Browse all our hibiscus seeds to compare more colors and packet options.

Growing On After Germination

After we take the dome off we will lower the heat to about 70f and keep it about there for 2 weeks. After this we will fertilize for one week and then place out in the greenhouse for them to grow more. When these Hibiscus are rooted well we will plant them up in 2 gallon pots.

Seasonal Growth in Our Nursery

At the end of the first season in the fall we cut back all the way down. In out area about mid may they start to have new growth after this we don't cut back anymore. These are hardy to -20f and have very large blooms about 6" to 8" blooms on them in July and August. This is just one of many perennial shrubs we like to grow.

Our seasonal timing reflects conditions in our own nursery. Check the hardiness and growing details for your selected variety, and allow time for seed-grown plants to establish before expecting a mature flower display.

More Hardy Hibiscus Growing Guides

Compare Luna and Honeymoon hibiscus before choosing your seeds.

Read our Luna Mix seed-growing guide.

Explore the complete hibiscus seed-starting guide.

About Garden Starts Nursery

Garden Starts Nursery is a real working nursery where we grow plants from seed. We share our hands-on growing experience to help gardeners choose seed varieties and understand the work involved in raising them. Our online stores offer seeds, not live plants.

Keep Growing with Garden Starts Nursery

Ready to plan your planting? Explore our regular store for seed packets or our bulk sister site for larger growing projects.

Garden Starts Nursery YouTube channel for gardening tips and flower growing

Subscribe to us on YouTube for growing tips from our working nursery.

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