Cranberry Hibiscus Seeds

Planting Cranberry Hibiscus Seeds

• Cranberry hibiscus seeds should be planted directly into the garden at the beginning of the rainy season in the spring, generally in late March or early April. The seeds need plenty of water to germinate. Seeds do best when buried 1/4 to 1/2 inch deep in well-drained, fertile soil; they benefit from a soil enhanced with manure or compost. Space seeds about 20 inches apart to allow optimal growth space. Seeds will germinate within two to three weeks.

Collecting Seed

• It may be difficult to find seeds of this species of hibiscus at garden centers and nurseries, so the best way to make sure you get the right seeds is to collect them directly from the plant. Each seed features small hairs that can damage the skin, similar to -- but less painful than -- a cactus. To avoid injury when harvesting the seeds of the cranberry hibiscus, cut off the seed capsules after they have dried on the plant and store them in a paper bag until they dry fully. You can simply plant the seed capsules on your newly prepared soil to germinate new plants; as the capsules deteriorate, the seeds will come in contact with the soil. If you need the seeds for other purposes, wear heavy gardening gloves when handling the seeds.

Invasive Problems

• If you are growing a healthy cranberry hibiscus plant, you will not be at a loss for seeds. These plants produce a lot of seeds each year, which can potentially create a problem in the garden. If the seed pods fall from the plant or if they are spread around your garden by wind or birds, the seeds may germinate wherever they land. This can lead to serious problems when the flowers sprout up in unwanted areas and begin to choke out other plants. If you don't want to spread the cranberry hibiscus, remove and dispose of excess seeds without spreading them around your garden.

Other Seed Uses

• The seeds of the cranberry hibiscus are commonly found in medicinal teas as a source of vitamins and sweetness. The tea sometimes serves as a substitute for coffee in Asian countries. The pods can also be cooked up and served as a vegetable. In China and other areas of Asia, the seeds and seed pods are harvested and then pressed to produce vegetable oil.