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
  • Rosellas on plant
  • Rosella bud
  • Rosella plant

This frost tender annual grows to a height of 2 metres. It is grown for its red fruit which make delicious jam or jelly.

Rosella needs a growing season of at least 6 months warm weather so is best suited to tropical or sub-tropical areas. Can be started under glass in cooler areas. Water well and give a dressing of fertiliser when flowering starts.

Culinary hints - cooking and eating Rosella

The large flowers produce a crimson enlarged calyx.
Use the fleshy red calyx, without the green seed pod to make jam or jelly.

Your comments and tips

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for USA | for all countries
10 Jul 22, Daniel E Brumbaugh (USA - Zone 9b climate)
I started a tray of roselle in June an I'm planting now in July. Is it too late? I know that roselle blooms when the days start getting shorter, how does this work after the summer solstice?
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12 Jul 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 9b climate)
It does say plant in March.
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21 Mar 22, C J Graham (USA - Zone 8a climate)
When is it safe to transplant my rosella in zone 8a?
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29 Mar 22, Anonymous (USA - Zone 4a climate)
Don't know your climate but after frosts I would think. It likes warm climate.
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18 Jul 15, Yusuf Isah (South Africa - Semi-arid climate)
what is the effect of groundnut shell on growth of Roselle
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08 May 14, tien le (USA - Zone 5b climate)
i want buy plant or seed roselle
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23 Feb 13, r.e. corker (USA - Zone 7a climate)
rosella can be ordered at the following website [email protected]
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30 Mar 12, Kathy Hunt (USA - Zone 8a climate)
Is there a source for the rosella seeds in the US? If so, how can I acquire some?
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14 May 12, sussanne (Australia - tropical climate)
we have abundent rosella bushes growing . they are now full of fruit and flowers. it is now mid may . I want to make jam with the fruit. whendo i know what it the best time to pick them, I live outer northern Brisbane region. many thanks sussanne
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08 May 11, Bill (USA - Zone 8b climate)
Where can I buy Roseella seed or Plants?
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Showing 1 - 10 of 12 comments
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I have two bushes this year, bought as about 500mm high bushes from Bunnings. The site is very sandy soil on the east coast of Brisbane so I covered it with shadecloth and planted into that through a hole. I put combo fertilser pellets (chicken, cow etc)in the base of the hole. As soon as the bushes were rooting and growing I took out all the centers of the branches to make them bush, and get more flowers. They flowered in 8-10 weeks and of course the calyx was immediately available. We have picked about 2 kilos from the 2 bushes, washed and frozen them as there's plenty still to come. They need to be treated like any other hibiscus. Hibiscus beetles are a nuisance in the flowers but do not seem to cause any problem with the "fruit" .The flowers only last 4 hours, but can be eaten in salads. This year the flowering stems are way high above the main leaves. Approx double the height. I think the fertiliser is the trick.

- Eddie

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