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 USA - Zone 5a 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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12 Jan 12, sarah (Australia - temperate climate)
the leaves are ediable, made into a jam /pickle aswell,very yummy..... lots are grown in south africa too.
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30 Dec 11, margaret mellor (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi there, we have just been initiated into the art of growing the wonderful Rosella plant as my hubby was presented with one for Christmas. We have limited space but would like to know what postion in sun or shade or semi shade it favours. we don't want to kill it. it is about 3 ft tall in a pot and its little leaves are curling up already. Any hints much appreciated.
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29 Dec 11, Lynelda Wilson (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Simone, If you still have Rosella seeds I would appreciate some please. You can contact me on my Email address. I have been trying to buy some but have not been successful. Thanks Lynelda
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26 Dec 11, Lynelda Wilson (Australia - temperate climate)
Want to but seeds to plant so I can make rosella jam
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28 Dec 11, Chez (Australia - arid climate)
Eden Seeds have Rosella seeds available at present and you can order online. I grew them in my hydroponics last year and made my first rosella jam since I left the tropics. You need to get them started as soon as possible to allow enough time to fruit before it gets cool.
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13 Aug 21, Carmen (Australia - tropical climate)
hello i would like to hear about your hydrponics set-up. we are hoping to get students growing rosellas in individual hydrponic pots made from recycled plastic bottles, but not sure how to start. did you raise your seeds in soil first, then transplant into the hydroponics? thanks
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12 Feb 12, James (Australia - temperate climate)
In temperate climates I'd say don't bother, I live in Melbourne and my plant only got to about 15cm tall and the leaves were too sour to eat, no fruit on plant. They need a long hot growing season.
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19 Dec 11, Valerie Hutton (Australia - tropical climate)
My rosella plants are taking their time growing (slowly), and something is eating small round holes in the leaves, also they get a white aphid like funges on the stems. Can you advise what is the best repellant to use in these cases. I have noticed a lot of orange ladybird beetles on the zucchini also, will the same repellant be ok for them?
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14 Dec 11, Dorothy Stephens (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted some Rosellas in small pots a few weeks ago,(placed in a shallow trough so the roots could get to the water below). They were for a friend of mine down south. I have been feeding them with Fish emulsion and they have all started to bloom! Unfortunately my friend cannot come up to collect them! Question is, is it now possible for me to transplant them into large pots so I can pick the fruit for her later on? (I do not have room to plant them in my little garden! I live in Kingscliff,NSWs. so if anyone living locally would like a couple of these plants, please e-mail me.
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18 Dec 11, Mary Petersen (Australia - temperate climate)
Hi Dorothy, I have been looking for Rosellas for our new edible gardening and if still available I would love a couple of your plants (they sound beautiful and healthy). We are at Cobaki, Tweed Heads and could pick up before or after Chrissy, whichever may suit you. Kind regards & Merry Christmas Mary
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For a family grow 4 to 6 plants; when making the jam, jelly, chutney, or flowers in syrup for later use in champaigne, save some seed pods. Dry them carefully in the sun avoiding rain and birds. Rosellas may be found in the Brisbane Markets most months except July and August. 2009 prices are $4.00 to $7.00 for the firm clean dry fruit. Retail would be from $5.00 to $10.00 per Kg. Packed in new jars and well labeled the jam sells at $4.50 per 300g. Poorly packed in scruffy second or third hand jars 500g may sell for $4.00 if you are silly enough to make it properly and the pack it poorly; either way its a lot of work...two or three boilings of twenty to 30 minutes and lots of sticky red mess on sauspans, seives, jugs, ladles, benches and floors; sugar, lemons, limes and jam thickener all have a place in the jam making. I first made the jam with my parents in 1955 after growing 12 to 16 bushes successfully for my Gardeners Badge in Cubs. The Secret Jam makers business covers the many ways of removing the calyx from the seed pod. HOWEVER THE FLAVOUR IS NEVER FORGOTTEN UNIQUELY QUEENSLAND AND UNSURPASSED. Over the years I' ve raise hundreds of dollars for the Red Cross and Local Churches and given away dozens of jars of Jam. I am trying a recipe I devised for Rusella Butter which should knock Lemon Butter way off the shelves. Rosella Jam made with enough sugar will keep for 12 months below 25 oC, refrigerate after opening. Rosella Butter and Lemon Butter, Lime Butter, Passionfruit, Orange or Banana Butter must be refrigerated at ALL times and then will probably only last 4 or 5 weeks...even less once you open it! Lick your wooden spoons all you Qld. Jam makers. Plant the seeds (rosellas) after the last frost and plant 1 m apart in a sunny spot in well drained soil, applying fertiliser when the flowers first start. The plants may last two seasons but need to be trimmed in wet weather and after fruiting. Thehy are easier to remover after ONE season.

- Geoff

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