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 Australia - cool/mountain regions

November: Must be under glass or in mini greenhouse to start

  • 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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07 Feb 13, Salli Sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Jennifer I hope you saved some seed, 'cause that is the best way to grow them. The rosella bushes are annuals and will die.
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06 May 12, Pat Wallace (Australia - temperate climate)
We remember the taste of Rosella jam from 30 years ago when we lived near Lismore, NSW. I picked up 2 plants from a market on the coast but am trying to grow them near Tamworth, frost country. At present they are still in pots on the verandah & surviving with a few beautiful, red "flowers". I want to seed save from them. Any hints would be very welcome.
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14 Jun 12, Sue (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I found saving seed is easiest by removing the outer calyx and putting the pods in a dry warm spot to open.
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30 Apr 12, blanckensee (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
First timw growers 10 bushers for Jam We have small fruit but flowers also. What is the story about to do with flowers. Don
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29 Apr 12, grant schirmer (Australia - arid climate)
please can someone tell what to spray my rosella plants with as they r being eaten by insects and have white aphids all on then . these plants r in flower. many thanks.
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20 Apr 12, Janine (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Can someone please tell when to pick my rosellas, Ive relocatd from WA and have no idea, but want to either make wine or jelly.....or anything really....
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01 Apr 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi , Wanting to know how to preserve rosella flowers for decoration in italian wine treat? Thanks.
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31 Mar 12, Robert Maxwell (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are the buds picked before or afteer flowering?
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14 May 12, (Australia - temperate climate)
If you look at the comments for Rosella in April 2008, there is one which answers your question in detail.
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27 Mar 12, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Have a rosella bush only been in a month or so doing fabulously and now i have fruit when do i pick the fruit is it just when they are large. The shrub has thrived and i am in brisbane
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Showing 211 - 220 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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