Growing Roselle: A Unique Addition to Your Florida Garden

One of the most unique and delicious plants I grow in my garden is Roselle. If you’ve never heard of it, Roselle is a type of hibiscus known for its vibrant red calyxes (the part of the flower left behind after the petals fall). While it’s technically a flower, Roselle is often used in cooking and has a tart, cranberry-like flavor, earning it the nickname “Florida cranberry.” Let’s dive into what makes Roselle such an interesting plant to grow in your garden.

What is Roselle?

Roselle is part of the hibiscus family, but it’s quite different from the more common cranberry hibiscus. While cranberry hibiscus is known for its tart, edible red leaves, Roselle stands out for its large, swollen calyxes that are used in everything from teas to jams. Despite my husband jokingly referring to the calyxes as “red spiders” (they do look a bit spindly when dried), they are incredibly versatile and flavorful. We often use Roselle in our Thanksgiving recipes as a substitute for cranberries. Anything from jams, to teas, to sauces, it brings that classic tart flavor to the table.

It’s important to note that Roselle and cranberry hibiscus are distinct plants. Cranberry hibiscus has striking red leaves and a flower that looks similar to Roselle’s, but the calyxes of cranberry hibiscus aren’t typically eaten. Instead, cranberry hibiscus is typically grown for its tasty lemony leaves, making it a great green to grow during the hot Florida summers. Roselle, on the other hand, is all about those delicious, cranberry-flavored calyxes.

How to Grow Roselle in Florida

Roselle is a warm-weather plant, thriving in the heat and humidity of Florida’s summers. Most gardeners start them from seed, typically in late spring or early summer. Here’s how you can grow this interesting plant in your garden:

Starting from Seed

In Central Florida, I like to start my Roselle seeds in trays around April. If you live in South Florida, where the weather warms up sooner, you can start as early as February. For those in North Florida, wait until all danger of frost has passed before planting. This usually aligns with the same time you would plant tomatoes.

Because Roselle seedlings can be fragile in their early stages, starting them in trays allows you to keep a close eye on them until they’re about six inches tall. At that point, it’s time to transplant them into the garden. You’ll want to give them plenty of space to grow because they can get quite large and bushy.

Best Growing Conditions

One of the great things about Roselle is how well it thrives in Florida’s sandy soil. In fact, it performs best when grown directly in the ground. While I’ve experimented with growing Roselle in raised beds and containers, the results were clear: this plant loves Florida’s poor, sandy soil. The well-draining nature of the sand allows the roots to spread easily, and Roselle doesn’t need a lot of water or nutrients to grow well. In fact, it’s one of those rare plants that seems to do better with less fuss.

When I’ve planted Roselle in raised beds filled with nutrient-rich soil, or in containers with added fertilizers, the plants didn’t perform as well. In contrast, when I put them directly into sandy, unfertilized ground, they thrived, producing a bountiful harvest of calyxes. If you’re looking for a plant that doesn’t need constant watering or fertilizing, Roselle is the perfect fit.

Dealing with Pests and Weather

Like many plants, Roselle isn’t entirely pest-free, but it’s surprisingly resilient. While you might notice a few beetles or aphids on the leaves, they rarely cause significant damage. I’ve never had a plant die from pest problems, and I don’t treat my Roselle with pesticides because it seems to handle pests on its own.

One challenge, though, is wind. Roselle plants can grow quite tall and bushy, and their branches are somewhat brittle. This season, I lost several branches to heavy winds during storms and hurricanes. In the future, I plan to stake the plants to provide extra support during windy weather. If you live in a windy area, this is something to consider to keep your plants healthy.

Harvesting and Using Roselle

Roselle is daylight-sensitive, meaning it begins to flower as the days grow shorter in the fall. The blooms themselves are beautiful, light pink with red centers, but they only last a day. After the flowers drop, the real magic happens — the base of the flower (the calyx) begins to swell.

Once the calyxes reach full size, which takes about two weeks, they’re ready to harvest. I like to set a reminder on my phone when I see the first blooms, so I know when to start picking. From there, you’ll be harvesting calyxes every week.

Preserving the Calyxs

After harvesting, I like to rinse the calyxes to remove any dirt or pests. Once clean, you can either use them fresh or dry them for later use. Since Roselle only produces once a year, I prefer to air-dry mine to use throughout the year. Drying them is simple — just spread the calyxes out on a towel near a window, and they’ll be fully dried in about two weeks. Once dried, store them in a glass jar, and they’ll keep for up to a year.

If you’re looking for a unique, low-maintenance plant that adds a delicious flavor to your kitchen, Roselle is an excellent choice. It thrives in Florida’s sandy soil, needs very little water or care, and produces a bounty of calyxes that can be used in a variety of ways. From refreshing teas to tangy jams, Roselle is as versatile as it is beautiful. Just be sure to start it early in the growing season, and give it plenty of space to spread its roots and branches. Happy gardening!