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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11 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Rosella is an annual plant. You could save some seed for next season. All the best.
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22 Mar 17, kerry (Australia - temperate climate)
What is the best way to collect seeds
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08 Mar 17, Steve (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Im looking to grow a large crop of rosellas . the land Im looking at is next to the Houghton river NQ & it floods from time to time. How do you think they go ? some plants recover , this area drains quickly but great soil & 100 megs of allocation .
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09 Mar 17, John (Australia - temperate climate)
Your question is beyond the scope of this site. I have contacted the Queensland Department of Agriculture and Fisheries and they said for you to get in touch with Sarah Lempus on (07) 4797 9725 or Sue Heisswolf on (07) 4797 9744. They are based in Bowen and should be able to help you. All the best with your venture.
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22 Jan 17, Lana (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello I am hoping to find someone to make Rosella jam. That I can sell along with my own jams in WA. I get asked for it constantly. Would need to have a registered kitchen. Thanks Lana
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01 Sep 16, Melissa (Australia - tropical climate)
I live in Darwin. I just threw out a lot of seeds into the bare paddock in Oct and let them grow naturally. After the monsoons best crop!
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27 Aug 16, Alan Broughton (Australia - temperate climate)
I have saved seeds from last years Rosella's plants. What is the best time to sow the seeds for this years planting. Have some in seed mix at the moment, but nothing happening after two weeks.I think it may be still to cold yet. Am at Port Stephens on the coast nsw. For what it's worth, I mix manderine and orange pulp with my rosella jam. Feed back is very positive for taste and appearance. Delicious jam.
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02 Sep 16, Michele Mann (Australia - temperate climate)
I had lime peel and half a lime to mine I'm really happy with the flavours I'll have to give yours ago
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14 Aug 16, Chrostopher White (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi I am wanting to plant out my Rosella seedlings in a few weeks and need to know the ph of the soil. The plants in the garden are growing well so have a good level of fertility. This day the ph was 7 being neutral, thanks.
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18 Jul 16, Luke (Australia - temperate climate)
Every year I get my Rosella plants online from plantanative.com.au. They have them available around Sept. You can even email them and be on their waiting list too. Great quality plants and price
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Showing 111 - 120 of 412 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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