Yellow Hibiscus Seeds

Yellow Hibiscus Plant

• Hibiscus brackenridgei can get up to 30 feet tall in perfect conditions. It likes moist, fertile soil, warm temperatures and high humidity. Yellow hibiscus has slightly crinkly, papery looking green leaves and woody stems. The flowers are the standout feature of this plant. The blooms may grow 4 to 6 inches across and sometimes have a maroon center. The flower opens in late afternoon and closes in the morning to early afternoon, remaining closed for the highest heat of the day.

Seeds

• Once the blooms are pollinated the petals crumble and fall off. The ovary ripens into a seed capsule that is 3/8 to 3/4 inches wide. The capsule is hard and dry and covered in soft hair. Once the seeds are ripened the capsule turns lighter tan and bursts open. The seeds are 1/8 inch long, fuzzy and kidney shaped. For home growing it is best to harvest your own fresh seed, which means watching the seed capsule carefully. When it begins to lighten in color, cut it off and place it in an open paper bag to dry further. The capsule cracks open and the bag catches the seed for you.

Planting Seeds

• Hibiscus seeds germinate readily in moist soil with plenty of organic matter. You can start them indoors in February to March to have them ready to plant out in spring. Sow the seeds 1/4 inch deep in moistened potting soil. Place the container where temperatures are 70 degrees Fahrenheit. The top of the refrigerator makes an excellent germination space. Once the plants have sprouted thin them to a distance of 3 inches apart and place them in gradually brighter areas until they are in full sun. Keep the plants moist but not soggy and give them plenty of air circulation to prevent damping off.

Yellow Hibiscus Status

• Yellow hibiscus is considered an endangered native plant. Due to human activities and invasive flora, the hibiscus is now rarely seen naturally on the Hawaiian islands. There are less than 60 plants in eight populations on the islands of Hawaii, Maui and Lana'i. The preservation of this wild hibiscus is paramount to the continued diversity and health of the Hawaiian island's environment. This is why it is considered important to save seed from the plants and either propagate or send them to a seed-saving bank, according to the U.S. Botanic Garden.