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

18 Jun 10, helen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi Dale, Do they grow very tall? I don't want a plant that gives too much shade to an already small garden. Maybe I could train it onto a trellis? Or prune reguarly..? I would b interested in some seeds too. Perhaps I can sned some stamps?
18 Feb 10, h (Australia - tropical climate)
I grow rosellas every year and frobably get between 100 150 kgs make some for myself and families and just give the rest away dont evin buy plants as they just keep coming up
04 Mar 14, Gail Wills (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I am a volunteer for a community centre and make Rosella Jam to raise money for the centre. Do you have any extra fruit we could have?
13 Feb 10, june donnelly (Australia - tropical climate)
my rosella bushes have small beetles like weevils on them and these pests are eating tiny holes all over the leaves. I feel that they will eat the tender flower buds when they come out. what can I do about them. I grow rosellas every year for making jam and find that they prefer to be under watered rather than over watered for flowering. r
08 Feb 10, Terese Longwill, Brisbane (Australia - temperate climate)
I planted my rosella bushes last November (same time as I did the previous year) but todate still no flowers on them. When will they be ready for jam making? I picked last yr crop end of March and made jam. Can you help me with info. on how long after flowers appear from planting in November.
03 Feb 10, Helen Hoare (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Eric I have two types of Rosella plant. One is a more open bush with three pronged leaves, the other is bushier and the leaves have five prongs. At this stage the three pronged bushes are fruiting, but nothing is happening with the other bushes. Does this sound like the ones you have, and is it normal they take longer to fruit?
01 Feb 10, Colleen O'brien (Australia - temperate climate)
I would love the receipe for rosella cordial. Can you also use rosella for making tea if so con you advise me how to use rosella for drinking tea. Thankyou
25 Jan 10, Addy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I saw some healthy Rosella seedlings at the Caboolture markets yesterday (Sunday), and I have also seen them at the Lawnton Markets (Saturdays) for $1 each.
13 Nov 13, Juni (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi there, I'll be flying off to South and up to northeast of Australia(Adelaide, Brisbane, Sydney, Melbourne) this Sunday for 2 weeks. I'm hoping to buy back some dried preserve roselle to eat but have no idea where can I get them fresh. Kindly provide me with some information if you know of any. Thanks.
25 Jan 10, rhonda (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I live in caboolture and i would love to grow some rosellas could you get me in contact with Sheila to get some plants thanks
Showing 371 - 380 of 472 comments

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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