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

15 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up an organic spray.
13 Jul 17, Helga Martin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have rossella growing and in the past have been successfull however the last two times i have tried to grow these they get to a height of say 400mm and they start a dieback with a white sap like liquid coming out of the bottom of the plant eventually killing it.Any help would be much appreciated we live up in the mountains west of Sarina yes we get frosts however the last rossella plants die back in late summer.
24 Apr 17, Francoise Jorgensen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do you protect the fruits from insect attacks without using pesticide?
25 Apr 17, Giovanni (Australia - temperate climate)
Yates have a product called Natures Way Caterpillar Killer - Dipel. This is a natural bacteria spray that is absolutely harmless to everything except caterpillars. It works by disrupting the digestive system in the caterpillar which then dies.
13 Apr 17, Gwendolyn T (USA - Zone 4b climate)
I've started my seeds in a pot..can you tell me about how long until they sprout
14 Apr 17, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
From my research Rosella takes 8-10 days to germinate and, as it is sub-tropical, needs warm soil.
01 Apr 17, Donna Purcell (Australia - temperate climate)
I have five bushes.Two are growing well and have produced fruit but not enough for jam.Does anyone know if picked fruit stores well in a fridge until there is enough? And does picking fruit encourage more fruit to grow?
13 Apr 17, Dave (Australia - temperate climate)
You can freeze them till you have enough from next picking
03 Apr 17, Giovanni (Australia - temperate climate)
I haven't done it but I have heard of others that have.
11 Mar 17, Kerry (Australia - temperate climate)
I am growing Rosella in my aquaponics it is doing really well 600mms high 2 of them but I don't know how it will go through winter any guesses?
Showing 101 - 110 of 412 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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