Growing Roselle Plants For Beginners

It was in 2022 when I first had the pleasure of stumbling across a box of hibiscus tea at my local health store. I was hesitant, but the bursting red color and the promise of anti-inflammatory properties convinced me to brew and sip on this red flower. Boy, oh boy, was I more than surprised. The taste was expectantly bold, invigoratingly tart, and oddly smooth. That was my first introduction to Roselle (hibiscus), and since then, it has been a staple in my tea collection.

Given my newfound appreciation for this bright red tea, I couldn’t help but look into the possibility of growing my very own roselle plant. And I’m extremely proud to report that I grew roselle in my garden!

Before we get into my experience with growing roselle, I would like to share some interesting information about this plant.

All About Roselle (Hibiscus)

Roselle, also known as Hibiscus Sabdariffa, is a type of hibiscus popularly found in West Africa. This species of hibiscus thrives in tropical and subtropical climates, specifically in zones 7 to 10. Despite its unique name, roselle offers a number of medicinal uses and can be a wonderful addition to your home garden. It is a perennial that lasts an extremely long time, preferring full sun and lots of water.

Description:

Family:  Malvaceae

Genus: Hibiscus

Species: Hibiscus Sabdariffa

Other Names: Roselle, Hibiscus, Florida Cranberry, Jamaican Sorrel, Red Sorrel

Growing Guide:

Soil: Well-drained, sandy loam soils with a pH of 5.5 to 7.5.

Climate: Warm, sunny, and humid conditions.

Propagation: Propagated from seeds that occur within a flowering pod.

Watering: At least once per day if grown in a pot, or every other day if grown in the ground.

Harvesting: It has a 4-month growing cycle and is typically harvested when the calyces are red and soft.

Physical Attributes:

Height: Grows to a maximum of 2 to 2.5 meters in height.

Leaves: Deeply lobed, bright green, and approximately 3 to 6 inches long.

Flowers: White to light yellow with a red spot by the base of each petal with a diameter of approximately 3 to 4 inches.

Calyxes: Red, fleshy, hard calyces that protect white seed-like pods inside them.

How To Grow Roselle From Seeds

Given how large roselle hibiscus grows, it is advisable to choose a location with 2 to 3 feet of space between each plant and ample exposure to sunshine.

The best season to grow roselle is early to mid-spring, especially if you are trying to grow them from seeds.

Once the sprouts reach 3 to 4 inches in height and the first set of true leaves have fully developed, transplant them into the ground with soil that is well drained and has a slightly acidic pH level.

Water daily, especially if you’re growing roselle in pots and treat the soil with a healthy fertilizer every month for the first three months, and then whenever you deem necessary, depending on the health of your plants.

Within 4 months, you should see a significant amount of growth and flowering should take place around this time period.