Roselle
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Roselle is a tall annual hibiscus grown for its sour leaves (famous in Andhra gongura pickle) and its fleshy red calyces, which make a tangy tea, jam and chutney. It thrives in heat and grows quickly from seed.
Photo: Invertzoo · CC BY-SA 4.0, via Wikimedia Commons
Essential Care Requirements
Light
Full sun
Watering
Moderate
Water regularly while young; established plants tolerate dry spells.
Soil
Well-drained loam with compost; pH 6.0–7.5.
Temperature and humidity
15–40 °C · Moderate humidity
Feeding
Feed monthly with compost or a balanced fertilizer.
Pruning and propagation
Propagate by seed, stem cuttings
Pinch tips when young for bushier plants and more calyces.
Leaves and calyces are safe to eat.
Top Cultivation Tips
Sow with the monsoon; flowering starts as days shorten.
Pick calyces about 10 days after flowering.
Dry calyces in shade for tea.
Pick leaves often for pickles and dal.
Common problems
Jassids
Small, wedge-shaped green insects that run sideways and suck sap from leaf undersides, causing curled, yellow-edged and scorched leaves.
How to treat it →DiseaseLeaf spot
Fungal or bacterial infections that cause brown, black or purple spots on leaves, often with a yellow halo, leading to early leaf drop.
How to treat it →PestMealybugs
White, cottony insects that hide in leaf joints and under leaves, weakening plants and spreading easily to neighbours.
How to treat it →
