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

Your comments and tips

29 Mar 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Don't know your climate but after frosts I would think. It likes warm climate.
21 Dec 21, Marva (Canada - Zone 7a Mild Temperate climate)
I live in Vancouver BC where can I purchase Rosella plants or seeds here
04 Mar 22, Deborah (Canada - Zone 7a Mild Temperate climate)
Hello i too would like to try growing rosella this year and wondered if anyone found where you can buy seeds or plants in Vancouver. thanks.
23 Dec 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
If there is no planting guide in the monthly planting calendar then you can not grow them where you live. Need a warm to hotter climate.
07 Nov 21, Ann Murray (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Where can I get either a couple of seedlings of seeds. How long doo they take long to grow till they produce fruits?
17 Nov 21, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Seeds from the internet and read the info here about time to harvest.
08 Oct 21, Brin & Christine (New Zealand - temperate climate)
We grow the Rosella bush here in south east Queensland, they make delicious tart jam. Can be mixed with Mango for an interesting blend. I have a half jar left before we return to NZ in Jan 2022. I hope to find someone with a heated glasshouse in Christchurch to grow some from seed. cheers
20 Jul 21, Santhi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi, I'm looking for roselle seed do you know where can i buy in NZ, thanks
09 Aug 21, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Try online suppliers
06 Jun 21, Greg McFarlane (Australia - tropical climate)
Rosella plant is looking healthy & producing fruit, but some of the upper branches go brown & leaves & fruit wither. Looks like you bleach the colour out of branch. Located Mackay Should I put copper oxychloride at ground level or another solution
Showing 21 - 30 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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