used for hibiscus tea, native to Africa
cf native Hibiscus coccineus (Scarlet Rose-mallow, Scarlet Hibiscus, Swamp Mallow)

edible

Morton, J. 1987. Roselle. p. 281–286. In: Fruits of warm climates. Julia F. Morton, Miami, FL.
Roselle is a short-day plant and photoperiodic.

For herbage purposes, the plants may be cut off 6 weeks after transplanting, leaving only 3 to 4 in (7.5-10 cm) of stem in the field. A second cutting is made 4 weeks later and a third after another 4 weeks. [Huh, the deer did this for me. Eyeroll]

If intended solely for the production of calyces, the ideal planting time in southern Florida is mid-May. Blooming will occur in September and October and calyces will be ready to harvest in November and December. Harvesting causes latent buds to develop and extends the flowering life of the plant to late February. When the fruit is not gathered but left to mature, the plants will die in January. [Blooming in early October, 20171002]

The fruits are harvested when full-grown but still tender and, at this stage, are easily snapped off by hand.

calyces possess 3.19% pectin

The seeds are considered excellent feed for chickens.

The young leaves and tender stems of roselle are eaten raw in salads or cooked as greens alone or in combination with other vegetables or with meat or fish. They are also added to curries as seasoning. The leaves of green roselle are marketed in large quantities in Dakar, West Africa. The juice of the boiled and strained leaves and stems is utilized for the same purposes as the juice extracted from the calyces.


Roselle, Thai Red Beautiful 3-5 ft. plants with red stems and leaf veins. The bright red calyxes can be used to make “zingy" tea, sauce, syrup, or jam, or candied whole for an unusual treat. For strongly flavored teas, simmer for 10-20 minutes. Roselle was called “Florida cranberry" in the 1890s. The flowers and young leaves are edible and have a citrus tang. The only variety in several trials to begin flowering by mid-summer here in Virginia. Pkt (0.06 g, 20 seeds) - SoEx

3 to 6 well spaced plants would produce ½ lb of dried calyxes as well as lots of refreshing tea and delicious salad additions from young leaves and stem tips all summer. - So Ex

Space plants 3-6 ft.
75-85°F, 7-14 days. Transplant after last frost. Full sun. 36-60 in. tall.
For home gardeners, this means three to six plants should produce half a pound of dried flowers
start hibiscus in pots at the same time as you would tomatoes.
If growing your own transplants, start seedlings six to eight weeks before transplanting them into the garden — transplant date is mid april



Baker Creek Heirloom Seeds, Malvaceae: Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle, Thai Red), roselle, —/ 15 seeds, -- days, X in deep, X-Y in apart, "descript", $cost

20180204 O flat #2 poured boiling water over them before planting - still have seeds left
20171002 deer ate the plants almost all summer, but here at the end i finally used a scented deterrent - de-deerant? - and the plants are blooming, one getting to a few feet high.

20170406 put soaked (and sprouted!!) Malvaceae: Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle, Thai Red) in 5 pots

Weight: 1 pkt (25 seeds) Collection Locale: California Crop Year: 2013
Scarification: Soak in water, let stand in water for 24 hours.
Stratification: none required.
Germination: sow seed 1/4" deep, tamp the soil, mulch the seed bed.
Other: Seed needs warm temperatures after sowing to germinate (75 degrees F +).