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
                  T T T
                  P P P

(Best months for growing Rosella in Australia - 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

12 Aug 11, Lynn Thomson (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there Daf, May I please have your recipe for the rosella drink, and any other recipies you may have for them. I am new at the rosella thing and eagerly seek any information. Thanks Lynn T Qld
13 Dec 10, rodney (Australia - arid climate)
does the bush die after fruiting are new seeds inside the fruit .
03 Jun 19, Shea (Canada - Zone 5b Temperate Warm Summer climate)
Treat it as an annual for best results
18 Sep 10, Sandra Watt (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do they self pollinate?
01 Sep 10, Barb (Australia - arid climate)
Hi Dorothy, You can buy Rosella seed online from Green Harvest in Australia. Maybe there is a US online source too.
28 Aug 10, Beth Tozer (Australia - temperate climate)
In the late 60s and early 70s we grew Rosellas at the "Log Cabin" in Glasshouse Mountains. Made heaps of jam and it was very well received. Do you think I could grow them here in Paynesville, East Gippsland Vic. (flowering hibiscus grow well in my garden). If so where is best place to buy seed and time to plant. Thanks, Beth
27 Jul 10, Maggie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Used to grow well on flood plain in Tweed Valley when I was a kid - black peaty soils. Grandma made the jam, hence my search for the topic - yum, love that slight tangy bite to the flavour.
20 Jul 10, marlene (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
How much fruit do you normally get from one bush. Can they handle Bris/Sunshine weather in summer. What kind fo soil do they prefer?
30 Jun 10, Natalie (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
greenharvest sells the seeds online.
27 Jun 10, Graham Horrocks (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
After fruiting is over, do i cut bush back or remove all together.
Showing 281 - 290 of 412 comments

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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