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
S             S S S S S
T T T           T T T T
P P             P P P P

(Best months for growing Rosella in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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 20°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 140 cm apart
  • Harvest in 21-25 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Feverfew, Coriander, Nasturtium and Hyssop

Your comments and tips

07 Sep 15, BRETT (Australia - arid climate)
Hi, i live in Allenstown and have fond memories of boiling Rosella on the wood stove , did you find some plants, pretty sure my sister has some down south, regards
06 Sep 15, PaulĂ  (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi - would be very happy to buy some Rosella Seeds(to spare) live in Rockhampton. Thank you Ularen...
20 Aug 15, JAMES (Australia - tropical climate)
HI -- G'DAY Suggest to keen gardeners and home-cookers that if you do not grow a few Rosella Shrubs you should try. Probably one of the most useful food plants in the garden!? For example the young fresh leaves are great in a mixed salad, as are the chopped fruit (calyx). The older leaves make a superb curry (a common dish in Myanmar and other parts of SE Asia). The calyx has a myriad of uses; sun dried as a tea, made into a magnificent jam that puts strawberry in the shade, stewed and served with the morning muesli or used in tarts and puddings, and prepared as a syrup for flavouring drinks. By the way we are in the tropics, West Bali to be accurate- but this website does not show this zone!!! We reckon that if a veggie can grow in the Darwin area it is probably good for our seaside location with its high humidity and salt laden air. Cheers James
14 Aug 15, Reg Vaughan (Australia - temperate climate)
Rosellas grow easily in Townsville mine self seeded from last year, which died off after picking and pruning. Just picked a third crop.
11 Aug 15, Vanessa (Australia - tropical climate)
Here is a few Australian websites that sell Rosella seeds/plants: Daleysfruit; Boondieseeds; rangeviewseeds; thelostseed.
18 Jul 15, Yusuf Isah (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
what is the effect of groundnut shell on growth of Roselle
14 Jul 15, Juanita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can I grow Rosella plants in a pot? If so, how big of a pot and what type of growing medium? I currently live in the Hervey Bay, Qld region.
20 Oct 16, Fay (Australia - tropical climate)
Live in Woodgate, Q4660. can I grow Rosellas in a pot? Regards, Fay.
07 Aug 15, Malcolm (Australia - tropical climate)
Yes. We have two plants growing in black 500mm plastic pots. Already made two lots of jam. Put mulch on top of soil and keep well watered.
07 Jul 15, BETTY tilker (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where can you buy the seeds
Showing 161 - 170 of 472 comments

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This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
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