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
S             S S S S S
T T T           T T T T
P P             P P P P

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

  • S = Plant undercover in seed trays
  • T = Plant out (transplant) seedlings
  • P = Sow seed
  • 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

Post a comment or question Display Newest first | Oldest first, Show comments for Australia | for all countries
04 Nov 19, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
This website doesn't sell any seeds etc. Try a nursery, Bunnings or even facebook- market place. A person is selling seedlings in the Bundaberg area now on marketplace.
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Oct 19, bernard wilson (Australia - temperate climate)
surely to goodness somebody must know the answer as to why rosella plants wilt all of a sudden,It is nice to see all the qustions mentioning the various stages of wilting all of a sudden.this is all very well and good to know that I am not the only one this is happening to.Where are all the answers.Surely their must be some experts with the solution to this problem.Or don't they want us to know for some unknown reason? Surely some of the commercial growers must know.or do they have access to the cure that the home gardener is banned from using such as fruit fly prevention etc.it is very frustrating not to know the reason why this is happening.i am trying Yates Root Rot prevention at the moment.am I on the right track?
Reply or Post a new comment
07 Oct 19, anon (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
There are no experts on this website I'm sorry to say. I'm just a home gardener trying to help genuine people. I grew parsley a few years ago and about this time of year it just died in the space of a week, very healthy plant to brown in a few days. When I have a problem I go looking on the internet. Ring up your state government agricultural department. Agricultural supply companies.
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Jun 19, Judy Budgen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Full grown rosella bushes looking very healthy, and then suddenly wilting and dying for no visable reason. They were just starting to flower and some very starting to set fruit. Any help would be appreciated.
Reply or Post a new comment
31 May 19, BRUCE CHAPMAN (Australia - temperate climate)
When to prune Rozella plants
Reply or Post a new comment
13 Apr 19, Sandra (Australia - temperate climate)
One of my Roselle bushes growing well but no producing flowers or calyxes. Any ideas?
Reply or Post a new comment
06 Apr 19, R Townsend (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
are Rosella plants able to be kept growing for a second season, our crop this year of four plants are around four foot high and seem extremely sturdy and just starting to fruit now.April, if so do they need to be pruned back to ensure a second crop.
Reply or Post a new comment
24 Mar 19, Ardelle (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
One of my rosella is big and tall but no flowers, the others are fruiting well. Does anyone know why? Thanks
Reply or Post a new comment
14 Aug 18, ron (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
When and where to buy Rosella Plants
Reply or Post a new comment
16 Aug 18, (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Internet - The Seed Collection Company.
Reply or Post a new comment
Showing 51 - 60 of 409 comments
See comments for all plants

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

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.