The largest size of pot that I use is 40 cm. The strike rate appears to be even higher when cuttings are taken from well maintained cutting-grown stock plants rather than from seedlings growing in garden beds. It should be noted that if any other species of hibiscus are in the vicinity, any seedlings may come in a variety of colours, e.g. lemon, pink, as this species crosses very readily with other species such as H. divaricatus and H. splendens . Abrading seeds by rubbing between two pieces of sandpaper assists in germination. Most seedlings will flower within a year but cutting back seedlings will delay flowering.
Seedlings have a tap root which can be an advantage in some locations, e.g. on sandstone ridges.
Cuttings taken in spring in Brisbane strike readily, especially if the cut is on a sharp angle through a node and if a rooting compound is used. The cutting grown plant, with its fibrous root system, forms a dense plant, particularly if tip-pruned regularly and it also flowers earlier and more heavily than a seedling. As well, observations over an extended period indicate that a cutting grown plant flowers for much longer periods than the parent seedling, with some cutting grown plants flowering as early as May and even April in Brisbane. In spite of all these advantages, there are some disadvantages associated with Hibiscus heterophyllus. The seed pod is covered in hairs that may cause skin irritation.