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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
10 Jul 11, John (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
where can I buy some seed to plant. thank you
Reply or Post a new comment
16 May 11, Diana Adelaide (Australia - temperate climate)
Ant don't like turmeric. You can stop the ant by making a circle of turmeric powder at the base of the plant where ants won't cross it. Or sprinkle turmeric powder on the affected area on the plant.
Reply or Post a new comment
15 May 11, ken (Australia - tropical climate)
how to stop ants carrying Aphids up into the rosella trees and into the maturing fruit.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Mar 17, Bryan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have ants crawling all over rosella trees which are almost a metre high.
Reply or Post a new comment
25 Mar 19, Peter (Australia - tropical climate)
I have found that using an ant spray on the ground under the bush works. The spray I use is called
Reply or Post a new comment
20 Feb 17, Vera Caltabiano (Australia - temperate climate)
how to stop ants carrying Aphids into rosella trees and into maturing fruit
Reply or Post a new comment
09 May 11, Helen (Australia - tropical climate)
Contrary to the culinary advice, use the whole 'fruit' for jam making. Separate the lovely red calyx from the green seed pod. Cover the seed pods with water and boil for 15-20 mins then strain the pods out and use the liquid to start cooking the calyxes (you will probably need to add more water). The pods contain the fruit's pectin supply so the jam will set much better.
Reply or Post a new comment
26 Apr 11, Peter Elliott (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I have several rosella plants growing and now starting to flower with a yellow flower and a red base. I am not sure what the fruit looks like, does the fuit form after the flowering and when should it be picked?
Reply or Post a new comment
11 Apr 11, clive sommer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I grow rosellas each year Last year Iwas making jam in 6 months This planted the same time they have not even flowed Whit is the the problem
Reply or Post a new comment
01 Apr 11, Coral Roberts (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
HI! I am a bit confused about when to pick the fruit off my Rosella bush, to make jam, at present I have the red pods and now some of them are getting flowers do I pick them before they flower or after. Thankyou
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 261 - 270 of 412 comments
See comments for all plants

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

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.