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 S S S
T T T           T T T T
P P             P P P P

(Best months for growing Rosella in Australia - sub-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

19 Mar 18, kevin (Australia - temperate climate)
I cut back on watering and since them they have we have had a great crop
16 Mar 18, Vicky (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am on the Sunshine Coast in Qld and have the same problem. My rosellas look fantastic, thick and lush, have had heaps of hot weather, heaps of rain and I prepaired the beds with horse manure, potash and a bit of blood and bone before planting. No fruit yet and it is now March. Maybe I put too much nutrient in. So looking forward to making jam!
19 Jul 18, Brett (Australia - temperate climate)
If you try them again this year, cut back on the fertilizer. Rosella's don't need much if any fertilizer & can grow excessive foliage instead of flowering if there is too much. Well aerated soil that dries out occasionally seems to keep them happy, if you must, just a little seasol & charlie carp when small. Horse manure always needs to be well composted before using on your garden, unlike cow manure. Horse manure strips nitrogen from the soil whilst breaking down. Mix 2 cups of urea per wheel barrow of horse manure to speed up composting.
18 Mar 18, Mike (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
You are probably right - too rich a soil and plenty of water and heat. Manure potash and B&B don't have a real lot of N unless you put heaps on. Back off the watering if possible. If possible plant some leafy crop close by to take some N out of the soil.
17 Feb 18, Mem (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Same problem with our rosellas. We're on Blackall Range Qld. Last year they flowered when they were tiny.
14 Feb 18, Teresa (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi ,I love my Rosella Jam but find I have a lot of trouble with Ants on the plants , sometimes the trees are black with them , I hear vinegar is good is that true , Regards Teresa
16 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
A product called Fortune 500. Check out the product label to see if it can be used near vegies etc. Maybe around the edge of the garden bed.
10 Feb 18, Rachael (Australia - tropical climate)
My Rosellas are thick and healthy but still no fruit. They should have fruits by now. Feel like pulling them out as they are wasting so much space with 20 plants. There is nothing on the Internet about this.
12 Feb 18, Mike (Australia - tropical climate)
The info here says plant Oct to Dec and it takes 21-25 weeks - so you have planted out of season maybe. Maybe you used too much fertiliser. Plants will go to seed or fruit when the nutrient has been used up or when the season is right. Most vegies are seasonal to each climate zone.
21 Jan 18, Andrew (Australia - temperate climate)
If hey get too wet they can die suddenly. I've just had a couple die off quickly.
Showing 81 - 90 of 409 comments

We have 4 healthy looking Rosella bushes in our garden loaded with red calixes. Are these the ones we pick and make jam with? We thought it was the fruit following. Please advise by email as soon as possible. It would really be appreciated. Many thanks, Dieter and Jeannie.

- Dieter and Jeannie Klier

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