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

Your comments and tips

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08 Mar 09, Lara (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, im growing rosella for the first time this year, the bush is loaded with buds...I bought the seedling at bunnings. if anyone wants to buy rosella seeds i would reccomend Cornucopia seeds and plants. to find it easier just type in rosella to the seach thingy at the top of their page. hope it helps
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08 Mar 09, Lara (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi Anne, by the sounds of it your rosellas have root rot, im not ssure what you can do about it, maybe GOOGLE it lol
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14 Mar 09, kath (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
i have just bought 2 rosella plants someone told me that after one season you pull them out is this right? thanks
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15 Mar 09, Aaron (Australia - tropical climate)
Hi, people, am very happy my rosella plant are bearing flowers redish, its rainning season here in TANZANIA. I hope to cultivate more rosella when my research acomplished.
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25 Mar 09, karen (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
My mother have always grown rosella's.We both planted our plants the same time ,same climate and bought them from the same place.We planted them at the end Oct 2008.She has just harvested her fruits ,but can't understand why mine has no sighn of fruits yet.They are very large bushy,healthy looking plants.Does anyone have any ideas.Do they need a boost of fertilizer?
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25 Mar 09, shane (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
hi I have planted 6 rossellas in oct nov some only have small flower buds last year very large buds on similar stock they are getting a bit twisty in the stems how do you prune them and when is the main crop due
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10 Apr 09, Bill (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
I'm wanting to know when you harvest the rosella fruit to make my jam. Before/after flowering, what to look for or any other hints. First time I've grown my own bushes. Normally bought the fruit.
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10 Apr 09, CHIKO CHILAMBO (Australia - cool/mountain climate)
Hi i am in zambia, eastern province, i have grown 1ha of rosella when do i harvest, i planted in october and what do i need 2 make jam.
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15 Apr 09, Aaron (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi, CHIKO CHILAMBO. Perhaps our climate not so different couse am from TANZANIA. I suggest you to seach through google you may findout some formular how to do it. you can write me through my email [email protected] then we can exchange i deas about how to go far with rosella plant.
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17 Apr 09, Cathie (Australia - sub-tropical climate)
Hi. I am growing rosella bushes for the first time. I planted these as seedling about 4 to 5 months ago. They are all about 1.5m+ in height and gangly. Is this OK and will they fill out. From memory the one's my mother grew were not so tall and bushy. Any suggestions?
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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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