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

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11 Dec 08, Don Beecroft (Australia - tropical climate)
I plant in the first quarter nearest to 1st of Sept. I use Hibiscus fertilizer and have had great results. They are thirsty plants but don't like wet feet, and they are ferocious feeders.
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11 Jun 23, Jim Chaillon (Australia - tropical climate)
The bush is quite large and looks healthy. I can see no evidence of pests but the immature fruit die off on the branch and harden. Can you please advise what I can do?
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14 Dec 08, lynne m powell (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I recently met a gent who told me that rosellas make a beautiful chutney. Would there be a grower who could share a recipe? With thanks,in anticipation,Lynne
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24 Dec 08, Skin (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
The NT Government has this on their Recipe Sheet for Rosella. Rosella Chutney Ingredients: ½ kg Rosella calyxes washed & dried thoroughly, ½ kg cooking apples, ½ kg onions, 2 large chillies (or capsicums), 2½ cups vinegar, ½ cup Worchestershire sauce, ½ cup raisins, 1 dessertspoon salt, 1 teaspoon black pepper, ½ kg sugar. Spice bag (1 dessertspoon whole allspice, 1 teaspoon cloves, 2 inch cinnamon stick, combine in clean muslin bag, remove before bottling). Method: Finely chop the rosella calyxes, apples, onions and chillies. Add remaining ingredients and boil together for 10 minutes. Add sugar and boil for ¾ -1 hour, stirring frequently. Bottle and seal in sterilised jars.
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03 Jan 09, Christine McNab Visick (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
I am a transplanted Qld'er living in the central plateau of Madagascar, in Antananarivo. The temperatures are very much like Toowoomba, Qld. I brought Rosella seeds with me, planted the seedlings out the first week of Nov 08. They are growing vigorously and flowering nicely. Small fruit are starting to appear. Question: when should I expect the fruit crop to peak?
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22 Jan 09, alan (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
rosella seed is available from eden seeds kyogle also plants are available from logan central markets in season.
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05 Feb 09, Anne (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Why are my rosella plants wilting. There are no obvious signs of insect infestation. Could it be nematodes in the soil?
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22 Feb 09, Cass (Australia - temperate climate)
We have 3 rosella bushes that are growing out of control. Do we need to prune them and when is best. How many bushes do you need for home use jam.
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28 Feb 09, margaret (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
my rosella bushes are growing into very healthy bushes but there are no flowers or fruitby now i am sure they should be loaded
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28 Feb 09, Aaron Mrikaria (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I would like to exchange ideas with gardeners about growing rosella and other vegitables. l have 100 planted rosella tree. 2 months old.
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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

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