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

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15 Sep 13, Emily (Australia - arid climate)
I got some more seeds, and one has germinated and is doing very well.
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05 Oct 09, Claire Thompson (Australia - tropical climate)
Just starting out. I have planted seeds. Am drinking rosella tea....delicious and supposed to lower blood pressure. I'd like to produce same for my own use. Any tips?
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05 Oct 09, Emily Bieman (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
it's Hibiscus sabdariffa
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04 Oct 09, Stan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi I have a rosella bush but it looks a little different to the normal one I know. the leave and stems of the bush are much reder in colour does anyone know what type of rosella? I can email pics if you would like to send me an email to [email protected]
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30 Sep 09, joseph van haren (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I purchased 50 acres and grew a few rosellas ,they grew very well ,so thinking of growing a commercial crop.do you think they would be a good thing to make some money on ,
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09 Sep 09, Aaron Mrikaria (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi ladies & jents Am now making rosella juice well packed, 300mills. The next steps is how to win domestic market in Dar es Salaam, am struggling with hope to achieve. Then l will take another move, the production of wine Bye bye.
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27 Jul 09, Rosemary Hardwick (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I live in Canada having been brought up in FNQ with the love of Rosella jam. I recnelty found packaged dried rosella fruit that is the national drink of Jamaica. I would like to try and make rosella jam from the dried rosella fruit. Do you know if it is possible ? and if so how ?????
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11 Jul 09, valerie (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Hi there, I live in southern Spain in the province of Murcia where it´s very warm most of the year and over 35 in the summer.Can anybody send me a few Rosella seeds?I would love to try growing them over here.Thankyou very much in anticipation. Val Fuller
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13 Feb 14, Veronica (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
Hi - Are you still in Spain and did you ever get any seeds? Let me know as I have some from Africa. I can spare you a few.
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07 Jul 09, Rasputen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Rosella wine (from notes 24/04/1988). Basically followed a recipe for rhubarb wine - My notes are a bit sketchy but can provide what details that I have for anyone interested. Makes a fabulous looking, great tasting wine.
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I grow a large plantation of approx 900 plants. If you are organic - Utilise pyrithrum for mites that may attack the stems. If you have drainage issues the root rot is cause by Needmatodes in the soil. It is very important not to re-plant a rosella straight away in the same location. Make sure your beds are well rested to rebuild core nutrients and particularly nitrogen for a good return harvest. While bed resting make sure you toss the soil for subsoil airation as well. @ 2 months they do appreciate a slight scatter of dynamic lifter and if you can source it prior to flowering worm castings - an incredibly rich furtiliser that makes up 1litre per 1 gram. I have been supplying the flower in syrup for years which is most commonly used in either drinks or served over ice cream and have recently made Rosella vinegar. Another hint is to make it into a sauce for pork - Devine taste!!! For any enquiries please email myself: zenon.kowalczyk (at) gmail.com

- Zenon

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