Roselle Seeds — 50 Seeds
Grow Hibiscus sabdariffa, also known as Jamaican sorrel or Florida cranberry, for its attractive foliage and tart red calyces. The calyx is the fleshy cup around the seed pod after the flower fades—the part commonly used in roselle teas, syrups and preserves.
Why Choose Roselle?
- A garden-to-kitchen crop with a distinctive cranberry-like tartness.
- A tall, branching plant for a sunny edible garden.
- Pale hibiscus-like flowers followed by colorful red calyces; the red structures are not the flower petals.
What's in the Pack?
50 Roselle seeds. You receive seeds for planting, not dried tea, calyces or live plants. A named early-flowering cultivar is not specified, so a short-season harvest should not be assumed.
Growing Profile
Light: Full sun. Soil: Well drained, with consistent moisture during active growth. Size: Plants may reach about 5–7 feet tall and several feet wide. Allow approximately 3–4 feet between mature plants. Growing zone: Best suited to long, warm seasons; frost-sensitive and often grown as an annual. USDA zones 9–10 offer a useful warm-climate guide, not a guarantee of year-round survival.
Planting Instructions
- Start seeds in individual pots before the frost-free season, or direct sow when soil and weather are reliably warm.
- Sow approximately 1/4 inch deep. Keep the mix warm and evenly moist without waterlogging.
- Provide strong light after emergence, then harden off indoor-grown seedlings before transplanting.
- Choose a sunny site with enough room for a broad plant. Water during dry spells and avoid overcrowding.
- Many roselle types flower as days shorten. Harvest calyces when plump and tender, before they brown or frost damages the crop; remove the seed capsule before culinary use.
FAQs
Is this the hibiscus used for red tea?
Roselle calyces are commonly used for tart red drinks. This product contains planting seeds, not a ready-to-brew tea.
Are the flowers red?
The flowers are typically pale with a darker center. The familiar red cups are the calyces that enlarge around the developing seed pods.
Why is my plant leafy but not flowering?
Many roselle types respond to shortening days. Season length, temperature and sowing time can affect whether calyces mature before frost.
Can I grow it in a cool climate?
You can try it as an annual with an early indoor start, but a calyx harvest is not guaranteed in a short growing season.
Can I use a container?
Yes. Choose a large, stable container with drainage and leave room for the mature canopy.
Is Roselle the same as common garden sorrel?
No. Despite the shared common name, Roselle is a hibiscus, not a Rumex sorrel. Identify the plant correctly and use an appropriate recipe for harvested material.
