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

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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?
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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
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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?
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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
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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.
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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?
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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
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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.
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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.
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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
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Showing 371 - 380 of 472 comments
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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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