Roselle Growing Guide

What is Roselle?

What is Roselle? It’s a species of a flowering plant in the genus Hibiscus that goes by many other names, such as Red Sorrel, Florida Cranberry, Queensland jelly plant, and many others. Its native origins are from Central and West Africa and can/is grown all around the world. Roselle is a highly versatile plant that is used around the world in many different ways. The leaves can be used fresh or dried and made into various items. Traditionally, some cultures have used the plant as a natural diuretic and even a mil laxative but Roselle has many more uses apart from direct medicinal applications. In many place, Roselle is used as a vegetable in cultural dishes such as chutneys, soups, and salads or simply used to add mild sourness to other dishes. Some cultures, such as those in the Caribbean, use the fruit to make teas. These teas are often made form the fruit or leaves, dried or fresh, mixed with cloves, bay leaves, and sugar.

How to Start Growing Roselle

Roselle should be planted from April to May in an area that has plenty of room as these plants can range from 7 to 10 feet tall. It is recommended that you plant them at a minimum of 3 feet apart go allow enough room for their foliage. This plant can take heat as it is a tropical plant, however, if used as an ornamental in a pot it will require daily watering. They also tend to become root-bound when planted in pots. We highly recommend planting in-ground, if possible. Roselle has a 3 to 4 month growing cycle and does well in zones 7 through 10. Those living in zones 6 and lower would have difficulty as it is a plant that requires more tropical environments to survive.

Roselle germinates at soil temperatures between 75- 85 degrees Fahrenheit. In the low desert, plant Roselle form seed or transplants once temperatures warm up in March through the end of May. (Start seeds indoors from February through April) If you are in cooler climates, start roselle from seed indoors 6-8 weeks before the last frost. When plants are 3-4 inches high, transplant them into a spot in the garden that gets full sun.

Did You Know?

Not all hibiscus plants are Roselle, but all Roselle are hibiscus plants. An example of hibiscus plants that are not Roselle is Tropical Hibiscus, Hawaiian Hibiscus, or Chinese Hibiscus! These plants don’t typically produce calyxes as Roselle does.

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Description

Be sure to check out our Roselle Growing Guide for more tips & tricks on successfully growing roselle in your garden.

Roselle Hibiscus is an heirloom, open-pollinated flower variety that produces loads of edible calyces that are great for making teas, jams, sauces, and more! This plant is in the Mallow family and is closely related to okra, cotton, and traditional flowering hibiscus plants. It is also called Red Sorrel, Jamaican Sorrel and Florida Cranberry in some regions. Harvest the calyces prior to opening for a delicious, tart treat that is great for you!

Once the seed pods are harvested, pull the dark red calyces from the seed pod. While they can be eaten raw, they make an incredible summer drink. The calyces may be dehydrated for later use, or use a mortar and pestle to release the flavors for making cold teas, tart jams, and sauces for almost any cooking application.

Roselle may be grown as a perennial in zones where freezing temperatures do not occur. In zone 8 and north, it is grown as a warm-season annual that will eventually be killed when the first frost arrives in fall/winter. Much like okra, it prefers warm temperatures and will thrive in the summer months.

Roselle Hibiscus can be direct-seeded or transplanted. Seeds prefer warmer soil temps for optimal germination, so transplanting will allow for earlier plantings than direct-seeding. Roselle seedlings grow great in our 162 Cell Seed Starting Trays and can be transplanted as soon as plants can be easily pulled from the seed starting tray.

Transplant Roselle seedlings into the garden with plants spaced approximately every 2-3 feet along the row. The plants can get quite large and quite bushy, so a row spacing of 4-5' feet should be used if planting multiple or adjacent rows. Plants will reach 6-7' tall at full maturity and continually produce edible calyces until cool weather arrives. One plant may produce up to 12 lbs of calyces per plant during the warm-growing season.

As is the case with okra, Roselle plants typically don't have any insect or disease pressure. However, because they're in the mallow family, they can be a target for root knot nematodes. As a result, one should practice proper crop rotation when growing Roselle. Don't plant members of the mallow family in the same location in subsequent years.

Roselle Hibiscus Planting Information

Planting Method: transplant or direct seed

When to Plant: after last frost

Planting Depth: 1/3″

Seed Spacing: 24″

Row Spacing: 4-5′

Days to Maturity: 90

Disease Resistance: None

Full details

Roselle Plant Spacing

In-Ground Planting

Row Spacing - 5 to 6 feet apart

Plant Spacing - 24 inches

Planting Depth - 1/4 inch

Roselle Soil, Irrigation, & Fertilizer

Soil Requirements to Grow Roselle

Loose, well-draining soil
pH between 5.5 and 7.0
Rich in organic materials
Good quality compost added to the soil

Roselle Irrigation Requirements

Roselle plants need at least 1 inch of water per week. Using drip irrigation is always recommended to be sure that your cauliflower plants are getting moisture directly to their root system. If you’re using conventional overhead watering techniques, try and use something like the Dramm Watering Can and water and fertilize at the base of the plant to keep moisture off the leaves.

Raised Bed Fertilizer Schedule

Several Weeks Before Planting

Test your soil at your local extension office.

At Time of Planting

After adjusting soil pH to 5.5 – 7.0, mix 1 1/2 cups per 10 ft. of row or ¼ cup per plant of Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer with your soil.

2 Weeks After Planting

1 cup Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement with 5 gallons of water. Each plant gets 1 quart of the solution next to the plant stem. Repeat every 4 weeks.

4 Weeks After Planting and Every 4 Weeks

¼ cup Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer per plant evenly spread around plant.

In-Ground Fertilizer Schedule

Several Weeks Before Planting

Test your soil at your local extension office.

At Time of Planting

After adjusting soil pH to 5.5 – 7.0, mix 1 1/2 cups per 10 ft. of row or ¼ cup per plant of Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer with your soil.

2 Weeks After Planting

1 cup Hoss Micro-Boost Micronutrient Supplement with 5 gallons of water. Each plant gets 1 quart of the solution next to the plant stem. Repeat every 4 weeks.

4 Weeks After Planting and Every 4 Weeks

¼ cup Hoss Complete Organic Fertilizer per plant evenly spread around plant.

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