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
  • 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

07 Nov 21, Ann Murray (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Where can I get either a couple of seedlings of seeds. How long doo they take long to grow till they produce fruits?
17 Nov 21, (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Seeds from the internet and read the info here about time to harvest.
20 Jul 21, Santhi (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi, I'm looking for roselle seed do you know where can i buy in NZ, thanks
09 Aug 21, Anon (New Zealand - sub-tropical climate)
Try online suppliers
13 Sep 10, Liz (Australia - temperate climate)
Packets of Rosella seeds are sold in some garden centres in NZ. I found some on a display stand with other Aus seeds.
08 Sep 10, john (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Trying to find a outlet that sells the seed in New zealand,would would be keen to buy from any one that has aound 100 seeds.of roselle. Thanks John
07 Sep 19, Dana (New Zealand - temperate climate)
Hi John. Couldn't find a date on the post so don't how it is, but if you are still interested in seeds, King Seeds has the seeds for Roselle.
02 Mar 21, Pav (New Zealand - cool/mountain climate)
Hi There ,i am looking for the roselle seeds if anyone has it
13 May 09, Liz (New Zealand - temperate climate)
This site should answer your questions about harvesting and using rosellas. It sounds delicious. www.greenharvest.com.au/seeds/info_sheet/rosella_jam.html
31 Jan 09, YESSE (New Zealand - temperate climate)
I started to grow rosella in DAR ES SALAAM TANZANIA this january, my intension is to do research and making combination with other plant to get new product.

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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