Hibiscus
Seed # 199
Basic Information
- Seed Number
- 199
- Seed Name
- Hibiscus
- Variety
- Giant
- Category
- Flower
- Plant Family
- Malvaceae
- Plant Type
- Hibiscus (Hibiscus spp.)
- Planting Method
- Start Indoors
- Seed Status
- In Seed Bank
- Created
- 2026-08-14 00:50:34
- Updated
- 2026-08-19 15:35:29
Planting Information
- Start Planting Date
- Feb 10
- Last Recommended Planting Date
- Jun 1
- Plantable Months
- February, March, April, May, June
- Indoor Start
- Feb 10 – Mar 1
- Direct Sow
- Not recorded
- Transplant
- May 12 – Jun 1
- Indoor Start Weeks Before Frost
- 12 weeks
- Transplant Weeks After Frost
- 1 weeks
- Germination Days
- Not recorded
- Harvest/Maturity
- Not recorded
- Succession Planting
- Not recorded
Growing Conditions
- Ideal Soil Temperature
- Not recorded
- Planting Depth
- Not recorded
- Plant Spacing
- Unknown — mature size varies greatly by species/cultivar
- Row Spacing
- Not recorded
- Thin-To Spacing
- Not recorded
- Sun Requirements
- Full sun
- Water Needs
- Maintain consistent moisture during establishment and flowering
- Soil Preference
- Rich, well-drained soil
- Minimum Container Size
- but container size and overwintering method depend on the exact species
- Plant Height
- Not recorded
- Perennial/Biennial Status
- Not recorded
- Container Friendly
- No
- Trellis/Support Needed
- No
- Frost Tolerant
- No
- Heat Tolerant
- Yes
- Drought Tolerant
- No
- Pollinator Friendly
- Yes
- Medicinal
- No
Garden Uses
Container PollinatorCompanion Planting
| Plant | Relationship | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Hibiscus | Good Companion | Not recorded |
| Hibiscus | Avoid | Not recorded |
Storage
- Seed Source/Brand
- Clemson Cooperative Extension; Proven Winners
- Packet Year
- Not recorded
- Quantity Notes
- Not recorded
- Purchase Date
- Not recorded
- Expiration Year
- Not recorded
- Storage Box
- Not recorded
- Container
- Not recorded
- Envelope
- Not recorded
- Row
- Not recorded
- Slot
- Not recorded
- Storage Notes
- Not recorded
Notes
Original Planting Method: Exact sowing method cannot be determined safely from the label alone; identify the botanical species or seed packet first
Original Start Planting Date: Unknown — exact species/cultivar required
Original Last Suggested Planting Date: Unknown — exact species/cultivar required
Outdoor / Direct Sow / Transplant Window: Unknown — exact species/cultivar required
Germination Time: Unknown — germination requirements vary by hibiscus species
Days to Harvest / Bloom: Unknown — bloom timing varies greatly by species/cultivar
Container Friendly: Possible, but container size and overwintering method depend on the exact species
Pollinator Friendly: Many hibiscus flowers attract pollinators; exact value depends on species/cultivar
Medicinal / Herbal Use: Do not use medicinally or as food without positive species identification
Perennial?: Unknown — hibiscus may be hardy perennial or frost-tender depending on species
Succession / Reusable Notes: Identify the botanical name before making a seed-saving or overwintering plan.
Zone 6B Notes: Zone 6B hardiness cannot be determined from the name "Giant" alone.
Companion Plants: Choose plants with matching sun and moisture needs after the exact hibiscus is identified
Avoid Planting Near / Watch Outs: "Giant hibiscus" is not enough to determine whether this is hardy hibiscus, tropical hibiscus or another type. Do not assume winter hardiness, mature size or moisture needs.
Sources: Clemson Cooperative Extension: https://hgic.clemson.edu/factsheet/hibiscus/ | Proven Winners: https://www.provenwinners.com/learn/landscaping/how-grow-dinner-plate-hibiscus
Website import fallback: exact hibiscus species/cultivar is unknown. Required planting fields use a conservative indoor-start window for Zone 6B; verify the seed packet/botanical name before relying on species-specific hardiness or sowing details.
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Zone 6B: The name 'Giant' does not identify the hibiscus species or cultivar. Hardy giant Hibiscus moscheutos types can overwinter in Zone 6B, while tropical Hibiscus rosa-sinensis cannot. Winter hardiness therefore cannot be assigned safely until the plant is identified.
Germination: Seed-starting requirements vary among Hibiscus species, so exact germination temperature, depth and duration are intentionally left null.
Harvest: Hibiscus flowers are typically short-lived, often lasting only about one day, while healthy plants continue producing new flowers.
Seed Saving: Seed-saving requirements vary by Hibiscus species and cultivar. Hybrid seed may not reproduce the parent plant true to type.
Special Care: Do not assume this is hardy hibiscus solely from the word 'Giant.' Hibiscus includes tropical shrubs, hardy perennials and other forms with very different care requirements.
Research Source: University of Minnesota Extension — https://extension.umn.edu/gardening-minnesota/hibiscus — Hibiscus genus diversity, warm-temperature requirements, rich well-drained soil and short-lived flowers
Research Source: Smithsonian Gardens — https://gardens.si.edu/learn/educational-resources/plant-care-sheets/care-of-hibiscus-rosa-sinensis/ — evidence that tropical Hibiscus rosa-sinensis differs substantially in hardiness and mature size from hardy hibiscus
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