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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10 Mar 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Rod - germinating seeds. I use nursery trays about 15
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01 Mar 21, Rod (Australia - temperate climate)
I am in sunshine coast north of brisbane. Q My rosella bush has lime green flowers with a very light pink tinge on outer edges. The fruit is of harvest size but the calyx is green and not red. Any ideas please before the plant becomes compost. Planted early sept. This is the second year this has happened. Seedlings purchased from nursery nearby.
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04 Mar 21, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I suggest you talk to the nursery people or to their supplier. Also maybe ring someone like Eden Seeds and see if you can talk to someone who knows something about growing Rosellas. Maybe they need time to turn red it does say 5-6 months to harvest.
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21 Feb 21, David (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are Rossella roots invasive
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22 Feb 21, colleen (USA - Zone 10b climate)
I have not found the roots to be invasive at all. They tend to form a main tap root with tiny roots branching out from it.
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28 Jan 21, Merv (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi wondering what the value of the Hibisus beatle and does it cause any damage to the plant?
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01 Feb 21, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
Check on the internet.
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15 Jan 21, Rod Ward (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Rhonda, I live in Caboolture, not far from you. Just wondering could we catch up some time to exchange ideas about growing Rosella plants. Thanks in advance Rod
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22 Jan 21, Anonymous (Australia - temperate climate)
No Rhonda here in the last 50 comments. Start with good rich free draining soil. Add compost etc before planting. Plant at the recommended time. Water regularly - 3 times a week, longer waterings in summer.
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07 Dec 20, roy carpenter (Australia - temperate climate)
good day wondering if you could help me .i have planted 21 rosella plants ,all were growing very well. then 5 of the healthy plants shriveled up and died .at this point the others are doing well but i am concerned.the only thing i can think of is overwatering.the soil is workable but has clay deeper down. thank you.
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Showing 41 - 50 of 472 comments
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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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