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Growing Rosella, also Queensland Jam Plant, Roselle

(Hibiscus Subdantta)

Jan	Feb	Mar	Apr	May	Jun	Jul	Aug	Sep	Oct	Nov	Dec
P	P	P						P	P	P	P

(Best months for planting Rosella in Australia - sub-tropical regions)

P = Plant direct in garden where they are to grow.

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 20°C and 35°C. (Show °F/in)
Space plants: 140 cm apart
Harvest in 21-25 weeks.
Compatible with: Feverfew, Coriander, Nasturtium and Hyssop

Rosella bud

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

14 Jan 12, Heather (Australia - sub-tropical climate): How do I make my Rosella Bush flower and fruit. I have had it fo4 6 months now, it's about 4 foot tall and looks very healthy but no flowers or fruit. Help!
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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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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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20 Nov 11, (Australia - tropical climate): Have bought rosella seedlings from mitre 10
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See planting calendar for these countries and climate zones

Australia - arid, Australia - cool/mountain, Australia - sub-tropical, Australia - temperate, Australia - tropical, New Zealand - cool/mountain, New Zealand - sub-tropical, New Zealand - temperate, South Africa - Dry summer sub-tropical, South Africa - Humid sub-tropical, South Africa - Semi-arid, South Africa - Summer rainfall, United Kingdom - cool/temperate, United Kingdom - warm/temperate, USA - Central West Coast, USA - Maritime Northwest, USA - Mid-Atlantic, USA - North East, USA - South East and Gulf States, USA - South West, USA - Upper Midwest

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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.

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