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 Dec 17, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Look up an organic spray.
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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.
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24 Apr 17, Francoise Jorgensen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How do you protect the fruits from insect attacks without using pesticide?
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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.
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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
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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.
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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?
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13 Apr 17, Dave (Australia - temperate climate)
You can freeze them till you have enough from next picking
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03 Apr 17, Giovanni (Australia - temperate climate)
I haven't done it but I have heard of others that have.
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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?
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Showing 101 - 110 of 412 comments
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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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