These have bright red buds, and make a tea. Imagine red flowers and red foliage with this!

Some use the red calyx to make jelly.

Has anyone grown this from seeds?
I have sown some , but now in the database--it says to scarify them.
The directions on the package did not mention scarification or soaking?

I grow these every year. To germinate I take some toe nail clippers and break the seed coat on the edge about half way around - just slivers .. all you need to do is break the coat and plant shallow. Easy to grow .. loves full sun but will tolerate dappled shade (though not bloom as much). Like to be fed consistently and grows very well in pots as small as 1 gallon.

As Caroline mentioned the red calyx surrounding the seed pods makes a wonderful jelly - very lemony & tart and the dried calyx make a very awesome hot and iced tea. I drink it iced regularly in the summertime with a pinch of sugar.

You can actually buy this tea in tea bags in the grocery store - you'll find it in the Mexican section - it's called Sorrel Tea - I think the company is Badia or something like that.

I did not nick the seeds--will they just take longer to germinate, I wonder.

Caroline you should probably dig them up and nick them as they may rot before the seed coat softens enough for them to germinate .. don't worry though I'll be happy to send you some seeds if you don't have any luck - Your agriculture dept let them through with no problems.

I put the seeds out in winter, and spring they germinated. They grew quick!

I have seeds coming this week so will do them by nicking first.
And maybe a few by Winter sowing.
Thanks.

Sorry to revive this thread but i think it's most pertinent to my question.

I purchased some dried hibiscus flowers from a local gourmet shop for tea. Love it, but man were they pricey. Are all varieties of hibiscus suitable for teas? Grandiflora, rose of Sharon, etc?

Thanks for your help.

Hi Karen and welcome to NGA!

I don't know for sure, but I image all hibiscus are safe to make tea with. As far as taste though, the H. sabdariffa is the best! You can usually find it in the Mexican Section in your grocery store. It's called Badia Hibiscus Tea/Sorrel. It comes in tea bags!

They also sell it on Amazon. The price is not too bad either.

https://www.amazon.com/s/ref=n...

I love hibiscus tea. Have any of you ever grown the H. sabdariffa and dried your own leaves for the tea?

Karen, the tea is not made from the leaves - it's made from the calyx that surround the seed pods. I grow it from time to time - I have seeds for 3 cultivars.

I was surprised to see this thread, I just harvested a quart of the Roselle calyces today. I plan on dehydrating them to use for tea but you can make jelly, jam. syrup and many other things with them.

They are tart and tangy. Commonly compared to cranberries in flavor. They also have good food value. I understand the leaves can be eaten as well but I've not tried them.

I left some of the older pods on the plants for seed and will gladly share seed later when they are ready if anyone is interested.

This is the common H. sabdariffa ~ Roselle that I grow.

Thanks all. I knew the tea wasn't from the leaves like 'true' tea. The dried crunchy bits i have are a very dark red. I thought maybe it was the flower buds or the hips if you will, like from roses.
Is that what the calyx is?


I just moved and brought a part of one of the Hibiscus with me that was growing in the yard. Its not doing so right now but i hope it will survive the winter. It's sister next to it had done real well since we lived there. Dies back to the ground every year and come late summer/ fall is about 2 ft tall and full of blooms. Was hoping to be able to harvest some next year and try my own tea. If i should plant a different variety though I'll look for seeds. Just knowing I'm in zone 5-6 not so sure the best variety will do well In my area.

This is fascinating! I didn't know they didn't use the leaves. I love learning new things here daily!

rockpile1369 said: Thanks all. I knew the tea wasn't from the leaves like 'true' tea. The dried crunchy bits i have are a very dark red. I thought maybe it was the flower buds or the hips if you will, like from roses.
Is that what the calyx is?


I just moved and brought a part of one of the Hibiscus with me that was growing in the yard. Its not doing so right now but i hope it will survive the winter. It's sister next to it had done real well since we lived there. Dies back to the ground every year and come late summer/ fall is about 2 ft tall and full of blooms. Was hoping to be able to harvest some next year and try my own tea. If i should plant a different variety though I'll look for seeds. Just knowing I'm in zone 5-6 not so sure the best variety will do well In my area.

If you want seed, I will share. It is aging on the plants right now.

Yes, the main part that is used is the calyces ( I posted a photo above) and it would be similar to the rose hips.

I love the ornamental Hibiscus also but I've never seen them produce similar seed pods.

here is a photo of the Hibiscus I've been using for tea. Can't tell if these dried bits are actual flower petals or the calyxis. The package does say flowers.

That does look like flowers. If I remember, I'll take a photo of the dried calyces and post it later so you can compare.

These are photos of the dried husks from the calyces.

Such a pretty color, Kristi!