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

10 Jan 10, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I got my last years rosella plants at Bunnings and they were very different to usual. They commenced fruiting when only centimetres high and never did have a flower first. They were very poor for months and just as the weather started to get colder they had a lot more fruit. I checked with Bunnings suppliers about the plants and was told they got the seeds from Melbourne. I did not think these plants would ever grow down south so I am wondering if maybe the plants were the result of someone trying to produce rosellas for a cooler climate. Never did find out what the problem was with my plants.
18 Apr 19, rhondda basaglia (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Do Bunnings in Townsville,queensland have rosella plants suitable to grow in the tropics
27 Feb 15, Luigi Pameijer (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I planted my 12 Rosella seedlings that I got from Bunnings in Late October 2014. in January I harvested the first crop and made some very tasty jams. I then made a second harvest (a little more that half the first) Yes you guessed it jammed that too. They are still growing and delivering though less and less each time. They are getting regular watering either from the rain or irrigation.
07 Oct 19, Trevor Manly (Canada - zone 4a Temperate Warm Summer climate)
I was living in an area of B.C. CANADA where winter temperatures got down below minus 35 degrees. Sometimes I could start my Rosellas indoors in big pots in April and by May long weekend could move them outside into a sunny spot. By end of August I could harvest enough fruit for several pots of jam and a few left over for next years seeds. If you're careful one could grow all sorts of them in southern Australia as it is a heck of a lot colder in Canada and the jam is great...you can eat the leaves and stalks if you're into that. It is colder there for sure but sunup is before 4am and sundown is after 10 pm so that extra sunlight helps
27 Dec 09, Alexandra S (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Dorothy, I would love your Rosella cordial recipe. Just made a very succesful batch of orange and lemon cordial for chrissy presents, and am looking forward to experimenting with other recipes. Thanks in advance for your post :)
25 Dec 09, Dorothy (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I use my rosellas for making jam but also cordial. It is really nice. You can use any fruit however rosella cordial has a very different flavour. If you want the recipe, please e mail this site and I will post it on this site.
19 Dec 09, Glenda (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Sheila mentioned that she sells the plants. I'm in Brisbane and would love to buy 1 or 2 for my backyard. Where are you in Caboolture?
02 Dec 09, Eric Gall (Australia - tropical climate)
I have two types of rosella plant. One has large seeds, and not much flesh. They have different types of leaves, and the fruit is shaped differently.The pointed fruit variety is easier to seperate the flesh from the seeds and has more flesh. More jam
16 Nov 09, Sheila Ruaux (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
We grow and sell the bushes from Caboolture, north of Brisbane if anyone is interested. The plants have three crops a year and three bushes will make about two dozen jars of jam. Leaves have a lemon flavour and can be used in cooking.
20 Aug 10, Gloria (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Where in Caboolture are you and are you a nursery?
Showing 381 - 390 of 472 comments

Ask a question or post a comment or advice about Rosella

Please provide your email address if you are hoping for a reply


All comments are reviewed before displaying on the site, so your posting will not appear immediately

Gardenate App

Put Gardenate in your pocket. Get our app for iPhone, iPad or Android to add your own plants and record your plantings and harvests

Planting Reminders

Join 60,000+ gardeners who already use Gardenate and subscribe to the free Gardenate planting reminders email newsletter.


Home | Vegetables and herbs to plant | Climate zones | About Gardenate | Contact us | Privacy Policy

This planting guide is a general reference intended for home gardeners. We recommend that you take into account your local conditions in making planting decisions. Gardenate is not a farming or commercial advisory service. For specific advice, please contact your local plant suppliers, gardening groups, or agricultural department. The information on this site is presented in good faith, but we take no responsibility as to the accuracy of the information provided.
We cannot help if you are overrun by giant slugs.