What is Roselle? (and how it grows!)

[@marinabogan8793]

I bought Roselle seeds last Spring and grew the plants from seeds. It is November 2024 in Growing Zone 7, and we have had fairly mild temperatures since Fall began. My Roselle plants look very healthy and some have produced beautiful flowers. I have had two small harvests already so far this first season. I made juice out of my first harvest. Today, I had my 2nd harvest and I plan to air-dry the calyx for winter storage. I am very pleased with the results so far and happy all you growers turned me on to this very beneficial plant 😊

[@misseileen32]

Thank you for the video. I grew it this year and have a lot of dried fruit that I needed to know what to do with. It looks like hibiscus tea in my near future. I also have lots of seeds now for spring planting. I hope next year to make jam.

[@carlinkay1151]

Hi from Australia 🇦🇺👋 I hear about Roselle jam and now I know about the actual plant. I think I might give it a go in the garden. 👍

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Love that! From what I’ve seen it seems pretty popular with people in Australia but that might just be from what I see

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

How widely know/liked is roselle in Australia?

[@adamlw1016]

In Asian cultures we eat the leaves. You should look up Burmese roselle dishes.

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Ohhh thank you! I definitely will! 😋

[@mellissacarman8672]

I ate them on a store fry. The leaves but do you harvest leaves ad well?

[@michaelburns9172]

They are very good in salads. My turtle's love the leaves.

[@mojtabajam3414]

Thanks a lot. I am Iran, I will definitely plant spring, I will send you pictures of it. Be happy.

[@user-hz7kv6js6l]

Thank you for this detail description on growing rosell.

[@debratrotty7520]

Great video, I am growing Roselle for the first time and you answered all of my questions that I had. Thank you so much for this video.

[@ginafriend1690]

Looks like lanterns to me! Informative and interesting, thank you 🙂

[@marcelcharbonnier297]

The tea made with these flowers is a national beverage in Egypt where it's called karkadeh. In Africa it is called bissap or bissap-kor.

[@puddintang8034]

I want to grow this in Florida, you have introduced me to a new food. Thank you

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

It should love it there!

[@puddintang8034]

@@TheMoreYouGrow I have started my seeds and am very anxious to get them growing big and learn so this can be apart of our garden and kitchen year after year!

[@AAHomeGardening]

Roselle are so good I normally prepare them as a drink

[@tracycharles2409]

Thanks for the pictures of the different stages of the plant. It’s our first time growing in zone8B/9A, between Jacksonville and Gainesville FL. I don’t live at the property, so I missed the flowering stage, I have big red calyx, but I thought the flower was next! Now I know we need to harvest!

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Glad I could help!

[@tamikasmith9652]

We take it off of the fruit and freeze it in zip lock bags. I boil it with spices to make juice from frozen and I assume you could do the same for making jam.

[@Yololtanextli]

The leaves can be used in salads and curries. This summer I grew it in El Paso and it was basis of our summer salads- nice subtle cranberry flavor. I also grew the related cranberry hibiscus for it's leaves but the snow killed my plants before I got any flowers.

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Definitely going to have to try this sometime

[@joanasangma4818]

Cook the leaves with chicken or pork.

[@mellissacarman8672]

Can you process the leaves for tea? Or dry leaves?

[@Yololtanextli]

The tea typically is made from the red calyces not the leaves. The leaves are edible but I've always seen them used fresh not dried. I've heard of the dry leaves used in curries to give a tamarind like flavor.@@mellissacarman8672

[@janetleeharrison]

This was super helpful! I didn't get to plant my Roselle seeds this year but plan to next year. Thanks for the tip about when they actually produce & for giving the quantity needed to make a small batch of jam. All I've had is the tea, so I'm really looking forward to the jam processing video! If this grows well for me, I'm sure this will be a staple in my garden. Say hello to the family for me!

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Yes they are definitely an every year staple for me! If it helps a full plastic shopping bag of unpeeled roselle (around a gallon zip loc of peeled petals (caylix)) makes around 6-7 half pint jars of jam. Will be putting the video up next week on the jam making hopefully!

[@janetleeharrison]

@@TheMoreYouGrow Yes, that does help - thank you! Looking forward to watching the process. Have a great week guys!

[@lucyw.mcmellan7274]

Very well explained. Thank you. 👍🏽

[@lynalexander938]

In the Caribbean its known as sorrel and it make a delicious drink.

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

It’s amazing 😁

[@JacobCino]

I make a sweet drink with it with cloves and ginger in it and brown sugar. I make a sweet syrup with it and then use it to flavour my kombucha in the second ferment. Sorrel Kombucha. I also have a black variety. In Trinidad I see a white variety sometimes too.

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

That’s so cool! Didn’t know there were other colored varieties!

[@MisterWhatWhat]

I first saw these at a park in downtown OKC. I instantly fell in love with the look of them. Q? Do they attract bees and butterflies? Looking for something that’ll attract both.

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Bees enjoy them. I’ve not seen many butterflies.

[@FrogmanAnime]

I’m from Australia, and I’ve always liked rosella jam; sadly the only way I can enjoy this is if someone nearby was growing the plant and making and selling the jam. However this year and last year I’ve started growing the plant myself; unfortunately, I don’t live in a house with a large yard. I live in a rented property so I have a very small amount of space in order to utilise for growing a garden. I have made use with large pots, but as I have a small space I am limited to the number I can use. Last year, I was able to grow a pot of rosella plant, but it wilted suddenly and unexpectedly in about middle of the growing season. I discovered I had root grubs infesting my root ball. As such the plant, practically wilted and was on the verge of dying about halfway through my growing season. Here in Australia, we are able to get a small harvest in about December/January, and a larger flash of a harvest towards the end of March and April. This year I never got that first flush in December. Probably because I got started somewhat late, but now towards the end of February early March, I’m getting regular smaller harvests practically every two days. I am impressed overall with this particular harvest. Last year, I had three plants in a 50 cm pot which is the largest available commercially for me. This year I manage to fit two in the same size pot of last year and I’m having much better success this year. And next year, I’m planning to have multiple 50 cm pots with single plant in each pot.

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

I’m sorry to hear about the grub issues! Sounds like you are getting more and more success though!

[@vcicchiello9368]

How to get rid of grubs?

[@FrogmanAnime]

@@vcicchiello9368 I used a grub killer powder after the season…after pulling out the plants, then sun treated the soil for about 2 months (solarising I believe it’s called) then reused that soil… there weren’t any grubs left after that. However, if grubs do persist afterwards, I would throw the soil out to eliminate the problem. I haven’t had a repeat of the grub infestation since…but I do treat old soil with the grub killing powder between soil uses. Just in case.

[@colm3051]

Hey bud! love the content! What happened to your friend boomhauer's channel??

[@TheGenesisForest]

This is our favorite “cranberry” sauce for Thanksgiving!

[@jujubee7351]

Great video, sorry if I missed it but is the Roselle plant a perennial ?

[@lucianaford2447]

Thank you for sharing

[@michaelburns9172]

I live in Southern California. What is the best way to help my 9 ft Roselle to over winter. Should I Prun them back like you do peppers?

[@josiebridges3583]

I am a new subscriber. I followed the link to southernexposure seeds and it was very interesting. I got to the 7th page but will look more in the winter when I can look at leisure and fill up my cart. Thank you and I will be bingewatching your videos.

[@wendyc.5769]

Great information!👍

[@dianacook8700]

How and when do you harvest the seeds? My plant is growing beautifully here in NC! No buds as of yet.

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Towards the end of the harvest season I leave a handful of pods on the plant until they turn brown and dry. Then I pull them off and crack them open to get the seeds. They will be hard and black when they are ready

[@gofigure4920]

​@@TheMoreYouGrow...Hi there, so outside hot areas like Fl, Tx, S Cali, they are annuals? Is this why you gather the seeds to replant? Thx.

[@jamestropicals8262]

It hasn’t even snowed yet this December which is unusual I live in Utah The warmth in December is kind of a problem because if it keeps getting warm are fruit trees are going to grow Blossoms in the winter which is a bad sign because when we get a freeze then it’s going to reck all of the blossoms on are fruit trees and in the spring we would get no fruit just leaves

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Yeah that is a big worry!

[@carmendiaz4413]

Can you grow the Roselle plant the whole time in a large container.

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Possibly yes!

[@amandajue8345]

The leaves are eaten in my country The fruit is also eaten and use to make juice

[@mellissacarman8672]

How do you preserve the leaves. I had a frost last night. So I freeze dried the leaves. Now, what can I do with them ?

[@LiveLaughLolaKB]

Thanks for sharing! I have 13 plants producing like crazy. I have harvested the first round. We might have a light frost on Wednesday. Will I still be able to harvest seeds if they get a frost? Can I pick early and dry seeds inside in a sunny window?

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

I usually let them dry on the plant, they may not make it through the freeze without the pods being mushy. I usually just try to let some pods dry before the frost, but if you only have the option of picking them and letting them dry can’t hurt anything

[@LiveLaughLolaKB]

@@TheMoreYouGrow thanks! We did have a light frost and they sure did get mushy! I lost 4 of 13 plants. Fortunately, most of the Roselle was along the brick of our house which provided warmth and a nice micro climate! The branches in picked with large calyxes are drying nicely but I am waiting for the pods to go brittle and crack...we will see.

[@TwoFamilyHomestead]

Never knew about this

[@seanchriswalko4223]

How do you harvest the seeds to plant the next year? I have 5 plants now they are about 3 ft tall and I just tossed the seeds in a 3 gal pot. The lady I got the seeds from told me to do it, but good to hear that they don't like roots messed with and to give them space. I hope mine aren't root bound. I planted them end of April 2022 and they are growing but just getting discouraged that they might not bloom. I used all the seeds I got from her in the pot. So kinda disappointed they haven't done anything at all or there is a possibility they won't given how many is in the pot. I was so excited to possibly be able to have seeds to share and also grow for the next year. Well now its up to mother nature if she is going to be good to me and they at least get a few blooms. I'm in zone 6A Ohio so our first frosts are coming I think end of Oct. So might have a short window to get a few. I can bring then in as well to climate controlled area as put in a sealed greenhouse if there is a chance to still get some blooms. Could I take some cuttings from mine now if they do not produce blooms or fruit and keep then growing for the winter months qnd be ready by spring to put outside when the Temps are warm enough?

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

I always just harvest the seed pods towards first frost after letting a few pods dry on the plant. These plants won’t bloom until the days get short in fall here in Texas. I’ve never tried to grow them from cutting so not sure what results you will have but always worth a try if you have plenty

[@coloradodirtbike5930]

Nice video buddy 👍.

[@OganicaBean]

I live in Texas, where to get or buy some Roselle plants?

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Southern exposure seed exchange is where I get my seeds. Check them out online 👍

[@kalebsmith2155]

Whoop!

[@carrerasjoel]

Would the roselle plants grow in the uk ?

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

They are a tropical plant and do not do well below freezing. It would be difficult.

[@colleenrodamer6230]

Where can I find this plant

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

I’ll see if I can find my seeds and get some to you if I see you at some point, but I know some places that sell them too. Here’s one place www.southernexposure.com/products/roselle-thai-red/

[@sislertx]

Where the heck do u find these seeds or plants

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Honestly at random most of the time 😂

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

You can get the seeds at souther seed exchange as well

[@colleenmcbride3656]

I bought seeds on Amazon. I have 3 plants growing now. I live in AZ and they have survived the heat snap thankfully. They're kinda short at this point, but very bushy. I'm hoping in the next few months the growth explodes. I would really love some roselle sauce for Thanksgiving this year.

[@billiejones9448]

Chill Hill Farms in Florida is where I got mine. Highly recommended.

[@Freddy-qd2li]

I bought two packets of seeds from different suppliers. From one packet of seeds, I had a success of 15 plants from 20 seeds. From the other packet, I did not have any plants at all from 15 seeds even though I used the same soil for both. I have since learnt that seeds older than one year will be unlikely to propagate. In future, I will use my own seeds.

[@XX-ri4ix]

Where can I buy the seeds? 11:41

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

I get mine from Southern Seed Exchange online 👍

[@shirleytruett7319]

Where can you buy the seeds

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Southern exposure seed exchange is where I get mine www.southernexposure.com/search/?q=sabdariffa

[@Latinacb]

Do you pick them after the flower has died or before it flowers

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

After the flower has died

[@winniekimmielou8810]

How much is Rosella trees?

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

They don’t usually sell them as plants but you can grow them from seeds!

[@wilmer2452]

where can roselle plants be bought

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

I get the seeds online from Southern Seed Exchange

[@IAMGiftbearer]

MI Gardener also sells the seeds. That's where I bought mine.

[@Sierra-cl9xr]

Are these the things you can buy at Trader Joe’s under the name “edible hibiscus?”

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Yes they are! I’ve been looking into how they make the dried sweetened ones like I’ve seen sold there, but yes this is what those are made from

[@Sierra-cl9xr]

@@TheMoreYouGrow WOW that’s so cool! I’ve always wondered what those were... because they obviously weren’t the same as the hibiscus growing in my front yard. I love the taste of them so I will have to try growing these next year. I live in central FL and okra does well here

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

@@Sierra-cl9xr oh yes they will grow amazingly in central Florida

[@manzoomali9959]

Is roselle and hibiscus are same?

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Most things edible that say hibiscus are roselle. They are in the family of plants that include many types of hibiscus

[@donnastormer9652]

I’m having a problem with an occasional Roselle plant just wilting within two days and dying you have any idea at all what’s wrong with them? I can’t see any damage on the plant at all . I have 4-35 foot rows with plant spacing of 2 feet the plants now are about 3 foot tall and they all look super healthy and thick and so far three plants in a healthy condition within 2 to 3 days literally look like they were cut at the base and wilted though there was no cuts the plant all looks normal. I cannot find any bugs or damage I am totally stupefied.

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Are they seedlings?

[@donnastormer9652]

@@TheMoreYouGrow I started them from seeds that my neighbor gave me and there about 3 feet tall right now and this all just started at about a foot and a half tall. I thought it might be nematodes but I pulled them up in the roots are perfectly healthy

[@mellissacarman8672]

They need lots of water

[@waltnotdisney3816]

Can I buy a bag from you?

[@kahnbooth6556]

Our plants are from seed, but the fruit aren't ripening! The fruits have green in the tips still and are going soft!! Why??!

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

Is it beginning to freeze where you live

[@kahnbooth6556]

@@TheMoreYouGrow no! It's mid summer now! The seeds are second generation,so I'm wondering if maybe the seeds were defective. all of the plants are having the same problem!

[@jamesz.williams8746]

You’re pulling your calyx’s way to soon. Let them open up a little then pick them.

[@TheMoreYouGrow]

You are correct 👍

[@mellissacarman8672]

If a freeze is coming can you pic them early