Growing Rosella, also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle

Hibiscus Subdantta : Malvaceae / the mallow family

Jan F M A M J J A S O N Dec

Not recommended for growing in USA - Zone 5a regions

  • Sow in garden, or start in seed trays. Sow seed at a depth approximately three times the diameter of the seed. Best planted at soil temperatures between 68°F and 95°F. (Show °C/cm)
  • Space plants: 55 inches apart
  • Harvest in 21-25 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Feverfew, Coriander, Nasturtium and Hyssop
  • Rosellas on plant
  • Rosella bud
  • Rosella plant

This frost tender annual grows to a height of 2 metres. It is grown for its red fruit which make delicious jam or jelly.

Rosella needs a growing season of at least 6 months warm weather so is best suited to tropical or sub-tropical areas. Can be started under glass in cooler areas. Water well and give a dressing of fertiliser when flowering starts.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Rosella

The large flowers produce a crimson enlarged calyx.
Use the fleshy red calyx, without the green seed pod to make jam or jelly.

Your comments and tips

16 Sep 24, Clive Aucott (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Does Roselle go by other names?
26 Sep 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They generally give other names in the heading. Jam Plant.
24 Nov 24, Maree (Australia - tropical climate)
Rosella is a shrub that is prolific in tropical gardens in Australia. The red flowers are usually used in making jam but I think you could make a nice cordial out of it. But you need a lot of flowers.
23 Mar 24, Michael (Australia - temperate climate)
What other plants can you grow with this plant to maximise the ground space.
25 Mar 24, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
They need their space and nutrient from that space to produce a good crop.
18 Oct 23, Anne (Australia - tropical climate)
Can I freeze the raw fruit until I have enough to be able to make jam.
19 Oct 23, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
yes
06 Sep 23, Wendy Paterson (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
If anyone is looking for Roselle/Rosella seed in South Africa go to livingseeds online store.
24 May 23, Iman (Canada - Zone 6b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Does roselle grow in Edmonton as a perennial or annual?
25 May 23, Liz (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Winter in Edmonton would be too cold for Roselle to survive, so treat it as an annual.
Showing 1 - 10 of 472 comments

Hi There I moved to Bellingen 3 years ago and have been growing Rosella every year since arriving. I first tried growing them in tyres and they were great. Trying pots this year. I bought 10 seedlings that were about 5inches high from the local market. I got 10 x 42 litre rubber tubs with handles ( those colorful ones ). I drilled 12 holes in the bottom of each and 6 around the lower outside about two inches up from the bottom. Put some broken pots or stones at the bottom for drainage and fill with nice soil, compost, manure, lime and anything else that would give the plants a great start, but i waited about a month before transplanting the rosellas as i wanted to make sure everything blended together nicely. These little trees are now growing nicely and because of the handles I can move them around if I need to. 1) Don't drown them....They don't like wet feet but don't let them dry out either and cover them with mulch. 2) They love sun but will survive in filtered light. 3) The plant will grow about 5/6ft tall and Fruit will start to appear as it's maturing. 4) The best time to pick the fruit is when it's about 5 or 6cm long 5) Use scissors and don't cut too close to the branch.....cut at the bottom of the fruit and leave the little stem on the tree. By doing this you just might get another lot of fruit before the trees dies off. Yes it will die after fruiting and you will have to plant new trees next year. By the way, the flower develops first but will only be in bloom for one day. It resembles the hybiscus flower and the fruit will take about 3 weeks to develop after the flower blooms. When they're ready I pick a few of them every day and I store them in freezer bags until I have enough for Jam. Take the pod from the petals and freeze them in separate bags. Well worth growing and If you need to know more let me know Good luck Wendy

- Wendy McGregor

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