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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08 Apr 11, Barbara R (Australia - temperate climate)
Rosellas are best picked after they flower and when the red fruit/pods are large (around 2-3cms in length) but not too old. If they snap off the bush, that indicates that they are not too old and stringy - though if you do have to cut them off, they can still be successfully used for jam and other recipes.
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02 Apr 11, (Australia - temperate climate)
I grew Rosellas for jam last year and though I am no expert, I harvested mine after they had flowered. I left some of mine too long and made more work for myself as they go hard after a while, so take them off when the flower petals have died off, not later into autumn.
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24 Mar 11, Monique Harler (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, How do I know when to pick my Rosellas?
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20 Mar 11, Housefairy (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 3 rosellas bushes about 2 metres tall and very helathy, they have been in about 5 months, but no flowers yet when should they flower and fruit?\
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24 Feb 11, Barry Hayes (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Coastal actually. Planting seeds before the ground has warmed up is frustrating. If you buy seeds, try planting early if you are keen. Some will do okay. Others will sit there and laugh at you before shrivelling. Simply plant another seed. In cool climates it is often pot luck, but they will eventually take off. They will survive and fruit well into autumn, especially in areas where there are no frosts. Pick them in flower daily and put them in the fridge until you have enough. Then boil them gently with a bit of sugar and progressively freeze them. At the end of the season thaw them out and make the jam. Patience is a virtue.
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10 Feb 11, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My rosellas have red flowers up stem and are healthy bushy plants. Will they get more flowers on the branches? The few up stems would not be worthwhile.
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08 Feb 11, Daphne Truloff (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My plants had an early crop when they were approx.70 centimeters, i would like to know if they will produce another crop. They are about 2 meters high now. Thanks Daphne.
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08 Jan 11, dino (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My Rosella is not growing well at all, they are in a pot and were grown from seed. they have been in for 6 weeks and are only about 6 inches high. Any tips?
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23 Apr 11, Daf (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Rosella fruit is best grow in soil in ur garden. As it can grow to 2 metres its restricted in a pot. Ive got bout 30 plants on the property and have just harvested the first lot of fruits. Its a great annual and this year I will sell most of it dried to make into a delicious drink. Lovely member of the Hibiscus!
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12 Aug 11, Lynn Thomson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Barbara, this is a year after your original comment, but if you are still there, amy I please have your cordial recipe. Thanks Lynn T Qld
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Showing 271 - 280 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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