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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27 Jun 20, Anne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
In rocky When should we plant rosella seeds
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24 Mar 20, Frank (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You may have too much nitrogen in the soil so leaf growths is excessive at the expense of flowers? Add some potassium
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24 Mar 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You may have over fertilised it or grown it out of season. Plants will grow and grow until nutrient starts to run out and then they will go to seed to reproduce themselves.
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07 Mar 20, Bongani (South Africa - Summer rainfall climate)
Can one grow rosella aquaponically and how large do the plants get?
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24 Feb 20, Susan Chisholm (Australia - temperate climate)
We live in Bundaberg Qld. Should I be planting my seeds now?
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25 Feb 20, Another gardener (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Bundaberg is sub tropical climate zone, read up about climate zones in the blue tab at the top of the page. At the top of the page for Rosella you will see the months to plant, the big capital P. Just be careful with the current wet weather (14 inches for Feb so far) we are having. Maybe start them in some potting mix or a good draining soil combo. I live Coral Cove.
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02 Feb 20, Clive (Australia - temperate climate)
I have 11 big healthy rosella plants. No fruit or flowers are showing. Bit worried. Grown from seeds from last years plant as well as some seeds i bought off Ebay. Planted in trays Sept and transplanted into garden Oct 2019. Plants have grown quite big but are not flowering. Is it the extra heat this year? Will they still flower?
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18 Feb 20, Clive (Australia - temperate climate)
Things are looking up. 19/02/2020. Buds are appearing on the bushes. First flower out this morning. Awesome
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14 Feb 20, Linda (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Clive, my Rossellas are pretty much at the same stage and I'm not expecting any flowering until the early early dry season perhaps late April.
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03 Feb 20, Anon (Australia - temperate climate)
It does say 21-25 weeks from sowing. Middle of this month would be about 21 weeks. Hope they flower soon.
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I use a neem oil spray on my bush. That's non harmful to the beneficial insects and only harms the things which eat the leaves.

- Tanya

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