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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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
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26 May 21, Joanne L Hilder (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My Rosella bushes are currently very productive and making lots of jam. However i am not sure what to do when the fruit is flowers are finished. Do I prune or pull up and start again in Sept/Oct with new seedings? I live is suburban Brisbane. I would love some advice from experienced growers.
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06 May 21, Rosaleen (Australia - tropical climate)
Bugs are eating my rosella bush. What natural spray could I use? Thank you
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10 May 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
look up the internet, usually a chilli garlic mix soap mix.
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29 Mar 21, Manfred Widmer (Australia - tropical climate)
My Rosella Plants growing very good, I had the first harvest after about 3 months. Now since 2 months there is no sign of new flowers. What Fertilizer should I use?
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30 Mar 21, (Australia - temperate climate)
Any general fertiliser will do.
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17 Mar 21, Anita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Wonderful rain and more to come however - will my plot of rosellas that are ready to harvest survive this comfortably? I usually have a dry growing season being west of Ipswich. We have customers for the fresh fruit so I am getting a bit nervous about the fruit until we start picking soon. Thankyou
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18 Mar 21, Anonymous (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The dangers of growing a lot of vegies this time of the year is the weather. If you do, then you run the risk of the weather ruining or damaging your crop. 4-5-6 inches of rain in an hour or so can make a mess real quick. That is why I don't start planting until this month. A quick downpour maybe ok, but prolong wet weather could lead to disease, fungus and insects (grubs). Keep a close eye on them. It is your call when to pick.
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08 Mar 21, Bruce Ray (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have just purchased a mature rosella plant .. It already has fruit. I understand soil conditions needed but am not sure of sunshine requirements. live in NNSW 60 km from the coast. Like your site! Thank you in advance
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09 Mar 21, rod ward (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Bruce, Rod here from Caboolture Qld, about 30klms from coast. From my experience and not sure what you refer to as a mature plant. Rosellas like full sun, like soil to be moist but do not overwater, like a well drained soil, they are known to die very quickly if too wet. I buy seedlings as I have poor success in raising from seed. Up to about 400mm high I remove any small fruit so that they tend to branch out. I planted last year in September and the first flowers appeared about 3 weeks ago. Fruit ready to pick now. My trees are about 2metres tall now. Message back if you would like more info. Cheers Rod
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We are actually on the south coast of Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji. This is a similar latitude to the Whitsundays say half way between Townsville and Cairns but a little less humid as we are on the coast. we grew H.Sabdariffa this year from local seedlings. The flower was yellow and the calyxes only 1.5- 2.5cm and not very fleshy. I believe this version has traditionally been cultivated in Fiji by the Fijian Indians for its young leaf which is a sour spinach used to make chutney. The variety you mention, H.Subdantta looks as though the calyxes is much more fleshy which would suit our end game of producing it as a food source for herbal teas and jams. What color flower does it have? Can you tell me where I can buy seeds from?

- Llew Boddam-Whetham

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