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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
29 Mar 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Don't know your climate but after frosts I would think. It likes warm climate.
Reply or Post a new comment
21 Dec 21, Marva (Canada - Zone 7a Mild Temperate climate)
I live in Vancouver BC where can I purchase Rosella plants or seeds here
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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.
Reply or Post a new comment
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?
Reply or Post a new comment
17 Nov 21, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Seeds from the internet and read the info here about time to harvest.
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
09 Aug 21, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Try online suppliers
Reply or Post a new comment
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
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 21 - 30 of 472 comments
See comments for all plants

I have two bushes this year, bought as about 500mm high bushes from Bunnings. The site is very sandy soil on the east coast of Brisbane so I covered it with shadecloth and planted into that through a hole. I put combo fertilser pellets (chicken, cow etc)in the base of the hole. As soon as the bushes were rooting and growing I took out all the centers of the branches to make them bush, and get more flowers. They flowered in 8-10 weeks and of course the calyx was immediately available. We have picked about 2 kilos from the 2 bushes, washed and frozen them as there's plenty still to come. They need to be treated like any other hibiscus. Hibiscus beetles are a nuisance in the flowers but do not seem to cause any problem with the "fruit" .The flowers only last 4 hours, but can be eaten in salads. This year the flowering stems are way high above the main leaves. Approx double the height. I think the fertiliser is the trick.

- Eddie

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

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.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.