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 New Zealand - cool/mountain 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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20 Nov 11, (Australia - tropical climate)
Have bought rosella seedlings from mitre 10
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01 Nov 11, judy (Australia - temperate climate)
are Rosella plants annuals....do they just die off at the end on the season...will they produce more seeds to plant...or are they perrenial...if they are do they get pruned at all or just left alone
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29 Oct 11, Merryl Chantrell (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Simone my email address is [email protected]. I bought some Rosella seeds and tried them but I don't think they were viable. I would dearly like some more please. Kind regards Merryl
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14 Oct 11, John Edgerton (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi Simone, i read your posts that you have Rosella seeds. I would appreciate it if you could post me some please. If you could kindly email me once you have read this so i can give you my postal address. [email protected] Yours kindly, John Edgerton
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02 Sep 11, Mulondo Yeseri (USA - Zone 5b climate)
I live in Africa, in Uganda East Africa. I need some advice on which month is the best to start roselle planting.
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31 Dec 11, NAFISA (Australia - arid climate)
hi, mulondo, I am from Africa too, and have been living in Australia the last 28 years. You can safely plant your Rosella seeds now, December and January and it should grow happily for you. Good Luck!! nafisa
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09 Aug 11, ross (Australia - tropical climate)
which is best month to plant in Mackay Qld
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05 Aug 11, Myrna (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Are Rosellas considered an acid or Alkaline fruit?
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08 Jan 19, Julie Kraemer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dies anyone know if they are acid or alkaline?
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21 Jul 11, Judith Moore (Australia - temperate climate)
What vitamins and minerals that are in Rosella plant and other beneficial elements?
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Showing 271 - 280 of 472 comments
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We are actually on the south coast of Viti Levu, the main island of Fiji. This is a similar latitude to the Whitsundays say half way between Townsville and Cairns but a little less humid as we are on the coast. we grew H.Sabdariffa this year from local seedlings. The flower was yellow and the calyxes only 1.5- 2.5cm and not very fleshy. I believe this version has traditionally been cultivated in Fiji by the Fijian Indians for its young leaf which is a sour spinach used to make chutney. The variety you mention, H.Subdantta looks as though the calyxes is much more fleshy which would suit our end game of producing it as a food source for herbal teas and jams. What color flower does it have? Can you tell me where I can buy seeds from?

- Llew Boddam-Whetham

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