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

11 Jul 09, valerie (United Kingdom - warm/temperate climate)
Hi there, I live in southern Spain in the province of Murcia where it´s very warm most of the year and over 35 in the summer.Can anybody send me a few Rosella seeds?I would love to try growing them over here.Thankyou very much in anticipation. Val Fuller
13 Feb 14, Veronica (United Kingdom - cool/temperate climate)
Hi - Are you still in Spain and did you ever get any seeds? Let me know as I have some from Africa. I can spare you a few.
07 Jul 09, Rasputen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Rosella wine (from notes 24/04/1988). Basically followed a recipe for rhubarb wine - My notes are a bit sketchy but can provide what details that I have for anyone interested. Makes a fabulous looking, great tasting wine.
24 Sep 16, dave adams (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
could you send me a copy of your rosella wine please, I would love to try it , thanks
03 May 12, sue ware (Australia - tropical climate)
Would love your recipe for Rhubarb and rosella wine have tree out back!
18 Sep 16, Greg Wheeldon (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like a recipe for Rosella Wine. Can anyone assist please.
18 Apr 11, Joan (Australia - temperate climate)
I would like your recipe for Rosella wine. I have made quite a few fruit wines. My rosellas are ready to be picked.
04 Nov 10, Karen Mehonoshen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I would like to try the rosella wine recipe or any other of the rosella recipes you have. You can email me. Thanks so much.
25 Jun 09, mavis (Australia - tropical climate)
My rossella plants have chewed stems on the end of some branches. I can not see any insect infestation but would like some advise please. I do not spray with chemicals.
05 Jun 09, karen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
anyone out there with a rosella wine recipe??? thanks
Showing 401 - 410 of 473 comments

Last year I bought a Rosella plant from Bunnings. It was already quite tall so I dumped it into some gravelly ground, fed it, watered it and away it went Produced enough Rosellas to make some jam. The last few Rosellas on the tree were picked and I waited for them to dry out and drop their very tiny seeds. A couple of months later I decided to try and grow them. I popped them into a large pot and low and behold - lots came up. When they were about an inch or so tall, the bush turkeys got into the pot and dug it all up smothering all my little plants looking for worms. I figured I had lost them all, but smoothed the soil over. About a month later, up came about a dozen plants. They are now about 5 inches tall so I am going to attempt a transplant into a larger pot . I don't have much garden space as it is taken up mostly by palms and golden cane palms which don't allow anything else to grow around them. Can't believe how hardy these little plants are, so keeping my fingers crossed they survive the transplant.

- Kate

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