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
S             S S S S S
T T T           T T T T
P P             P P P P

(Best months for growing Rosella in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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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31 Aug 11, Lachlan Gordon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Simone, I would love it if you could send me some Rossella seeds. My father loves the Rosella jam and we have to go around various markets to look for the home made stuff. I would love to be able to grow and make my own for him. My email is [email protected] Thank you so much!
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01 Sep 11, Robert Shayo (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi my friend, Could you please send to me some hints on how to prepare the rosella jam as your grand mom used to made. Thank you.
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12 Aug 11, Lynn Thomson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Simone, I would love some seeds please. I was over your way this time last year and saw the rosellas there. At the time I had no idea that I would be looking for seeds a year leter. My Mother used to grow them and make jam and she passed away in May and as a tribute to her I plan to grow rosellas on my property so I can think of her and remember the times we spent growing the plants, picking the fruit, separating the seed pod and eating the reward at the end. Thanks for the offer.
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03 Aug 11, Robyn Rowe (Australia - temperate climate)
Hello Simone I live in Kalgoorlie and would love to grow some rosellas like my mother used to for jam. If you would be so kind as to send me some seeds my PO Box number is 10766 Kalgoorlie WA 6433. Would be happy to send you a mystery env of seed packets if you like or pls name your price. Kind regards Robyn
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16 Jul 11, Roger Goebel (Australia - tropical climate)
Rosellas can be used for jam, topping, wine, jelly, chutney, paprika substitute ect. All "fruits" /calyx (the red fleshy cone) are used after the yellow flower opens for a day then dies. Full sized "fruits" take a couple of weeks from flowering and get to around 6cm long 10g+. smallest fruit about 4cm and 5g. Don't let seed capsule dry out. Most recipes require the "flower" to be separated from the seed capsule, can do this with a tool made from a push bike pump handle with 6cm of steel tube. I also eat young leaves of rosella bush. Packet seeds are often available from various seed packet producers check online or better for a quick start get plants in punnets from garden shop.I'm a 2nd generation jam maker growing rosellas sincef cub gardeners badge in early 60's.
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28 Mar 23, Fay (Australia - tropical climate)
I have a rosella bush I bought , it's about 6ft tall but has not produced any fruit can you tell me why
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22 Mar 21, Josie Lamattina (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I have over 100 plants just wondering if anyone knows where I could sell the fruit ?
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22 Mar 21, Josie Lamattina (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi I have rosella fruit just wondering when are they ready to pick? Mine are not all red they have green as well are they still ok to use ?
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04 Jul 20, Colleen (Australia - tropical climate)
My mum has rosella bushes and they have been fully loaded with fruit and before the fruit is ready the bushes are just dying. This is also happening to her neighbour . All her vegetables and roses and gerbera are not having a problem. Any suggestions??
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07 Apr 20, Brenden (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi I’m in Perth and my plants have been growing nicely till few weeks ago the leaves are starting to go lighter / yellow and brown on the worst on the out skirts of the leave. Any ideas why
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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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