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 20°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
  • Space plants: 140 cm apart
  • Harvest in 21-25 weeks.
  • Compatible with (can grow beside): Feverfew, Coriander, Nasturtium and Hyssop

Your comments and tips

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23 Nov 14, ChrisbellaleungLeung (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi Jackie, can I have rosella seed from u? thanks Chrisbella001 [at] gmail.com
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07 Nov 14, Krishna Boddu (Australia - temperate climate)
Jackie, I am not sure if you have any more Rosella seeds to share. If I am lucky, could you please email me Krishna [email protected]
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29 Oct 14, ChrisbellaleungLeung (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi Jacki can I have some Rosella seed too?
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28 Aug 14, Jude D (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Unless you want the fruit whole just tear the leaves off then the bud is easy. A lot quicker and easier on the fingers. Also due to arthritis in my hands I don't have the strength to push them through any more.
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28 Jul 14, Michelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I want to know if rosella plants only have a one season life. I have been told to pull them out but have also been told they will have. Few more crops.
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27 Apr 14, Sangita (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hello, I'm not much into making jams, but am always looking for various different plants to increase the nutritional value and variety in my cooking. Mary Williams, mentioned using Rosella buds in a curry. I'm just wondering where else Rosella can be used, apart from jams and jellies? Thanks..
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26 Apr 14, Kevin Campbell (Australia - tropical climate)
I make and sell Rosella products at local markets. As a requirement of the food standards of Australia/New Zealand, I have to include the nutritional values of Rosella 'fruit'. I have not been able to find this list anywhere. Can anyone help, please? (Before I pull ALL of my hair out) This is what is required as follows; Energy: kJ Protein: g Total fat: g Saturated fat: g Carbohydrate: g Sugars: g Sodium: mg
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20 May 14, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)
Try the USDA (US Dept of Ag) or FDA (US food & drug admin). I recall reading a PDF doc from them a few years back that listed all that info for various foods. It had caloric, fat, protein & mineral composition of a large number of food items. Rosella (or US name equivalent) may be amongst them.
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20 Apr 14, May Williams (Australia - temperate climate)
Can I buy some rosella buds if you could sell it as I like cooking rosella buds as my traditional curry. May
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16 Apr 14, Richard (Australia - temperate climate)
I live in Melbourne and am growing Rosellas for the first time . My plants are now around 1 1/2 metres high and fruiting really well. A month ago I put my 5 plants in a small greenhouse and water them with warm water to keep the soil a little warmer and they seem to be quite happy. I have learnt a lot and look forward to a much better result next season. A childhood treat to be relived in my 60's.
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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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