Roselle Hibiscus (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
Roselle hibiscus is the kind of plant that earns its space twice: it’s bold and beautiful in the garden, and it produces the famous ruby calyces used for tart hibiscus tea (often called sorrel). The plant grows fast into a leafy, upright shrub-like annual, then puts on a late-season show—creamy hibiscus blooms with a dark center, followed by bright red, fleshy calyces that look like little lanterns clinging to the stems.
In Florida planting zone 9, roselle is usually grown as a warm-season annual: plant after frost, let it size up through summer, and harvest calyces as they swell in late summer and fall. Give it sun, moisture, and room to breathe, and it will repay you with pollinator activity and a harvest that feels like you grew your own “pantry ingredient.”
If you enjoy edible landscaping, roselle is a standout. It can anchor a seasonal guild, provide quick shade for smaller plants, and bring a striking tropical look without needing years to establish—because it does most of its work in one growing season.
Any reference to medicinal or culinary use of plants or plant parts should in no way be considered an endorsement by The Ocala Food Forest or its staff. Research is crucial in safe and proper consumption or experimentational use of any plant.
Plant Information
| Scientific Name: | Hibiscus sabdariffa |
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| Family Name: | Malvaceae (Mallow family) |
| Common Name(s): | Roselle, Roselle Hibiscus, Florida Cranberry (common nickname), Sorrel (tea plant) |
| Size: | Typically 4–8 ft tall and 3–6 ft wide in one season (varies by variety and fertility) |
| Plant Type: | Warm-season annual in zone 9; short-lived perennial only in frost-free climates |
| Sun Requirements: | Full sun (best yield); tolerates light shade with reduced calyx production |
| Origin/Geographic Distribution: | Old World tropical origins; widely grown throughout the tropics and subtropics |
| Native to: | Tropical regions of Africa/Asia (widely naturalized and cultivated) |
| Florida Status: | Non-native; not typically listed as invasive, but it can self-seed—thin volunteers where needed |
| Planted range in the USA: | Common in Florida, Texas, Louisiana, Hawaii, and warm parts of California/Arizona; grown as a summer annual elsewhere |
| Conservation Status: | Not listed as threatened or endangered (cultivated crop) |
Cultivation
| Planting: | Direct sow or transplant after the last frost when nights stay warm; in zone 9, aim for spring planting so plants size up before fall flowering |
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| Sun Exposure: | Full sun to partial shade |
| Soil Type: | Well-drained loam or sandy loam with compost; avoid waterlogged sites to prevent root issues |
| Soil pH: | About 5.5–7.5 (slightly acidic to neutral) |
| Water Requirements: | Moderate to high; consistent moisture supports growth and calyx fill (mulch heavily to stabilize moisture) |
| Fertilizer Requirements: | Moderate; too much nitrogen can make a huge leafy plant with fewer calyces. Use compost and a balanced fertilizer early, then ease off nitrogen as flowering begins. |
| Pruning Requirements: | Optional; pinch young plants to encourage branching and more flowering sites. Remove weak interior stems for airflow in humid weather. |
| Growth Rate: | Fast; commonly reaches 4–8 ft in a single warm season under good fertility and moisture |
| Companion Planting: | Pairs well with living mulches and pollinator plants; keep the base mulched and avoid dense stems right against the main stalk |
Tolerance and Hardiness
| Drought Tolerance: | Low to moderate; drought stress reduces growth and calyx quality—mulch and consistent irrigation help |
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| Frost Tolerance: | Low; roselle is frost-tender and typically dies back with freezing temperatures |
| Heat Tolerance: | Excellent; thrives in summer heat with adequate water |
| Wind Tolerance: | Moderate; tall plants can lean in storms—stake young plants in exposed sites |
| Salt Tolerance: | Low; avoid salty soils and direct coastal salt spray |
| USDA Plant Hardiness Zones: | Grown as an annual in 8–9; perennial only in reliably frost-free 10–11 (varies by microclimate) |
Flower and Fruit Information
| Fruit Type: | Seed capsule surrounded by a fleshy calyx (the calyx is the prized harvest) |
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| Harvest Time: | Usually late summer through fall (often Aug–Nov in Florida). Harvest calyces about 2–3 weeks after the flower drops, when they are plump, glossy, and bright-colored—before they turn woody. Cut with pruners, then remove the seed capsule from the calyx. |
| Fruit Description: | Tart, cranberry-like flavor in the calyx; used fresh or dried for tea, syrups, jams, and sauces |
| Edible Plant: | Yes |
| Edible Parts: | Calyces (tea/jam), young leaves (greens), and sometimes seeds (varies by preparation) |
| Medicinal: | Commonly used in traditional herbal preparations (not medical advice; research interactions and safe use) |
| Flower Color: | Creamy yellow to pale pink with a dark red/maroon center |
| Flower Shape: | Hibiscus-like, large and open with a prominent central column |
| Fragrance: | Light to mild |
| Flower Bloom Time: | July–November (often peaks late summer into fall; timing shifts with planting date) |
| Bloom Duration: | Individual blooms are short-lived (often a day), but plants bloom repeatedly over weeks |
| Pollination: Self or Other? | Generally self-fertile; bees and other insects commonly assist pollination |
Wildlife
| Attracts: | Bees, butterflies, and other beneficial insects during bloom; dense foliage can shelter small wildlife |
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| Pollinators: | Bees are the primary visitors; butterflies may also visit |
| Problematic Pest: | Aphids, whiteflies, spider mites, and caterpillars can appear; in humid weather, leaf-chewing and sap pests can spike quickly. |
Health and Safety
| Toxic: | Generally considered non-toxic when used as a food plant |
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| Poisonous Parts of Plant: | None commonly recognized as poisonous |
| Toxic to Humans: | Not toxic; as with any edible plant, wash harvested parts and research safe use—especially if pregnant, nursing, or on medication |
| Toxic to Animals: | Not typically toxic; pets may experience mild stomach upset if they eat large amounts of foliage |
| Plant Diseases to be aware of: | Leaf spots, powdery mildew, root rot in poorly drained soils, and general fungal pressure in humid conditions—prioritize drainage and airflow |
Companion Planting
For Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle Hibiscus), choose companions that keep soil covered, support pollinators, and reduce pest pressure—without crowding the base. Roselle gets large, so use low groundcovers near the dripline, and place taller companions on the outer ring.
Florida Native: Sunshine Mimosa (Mimosa strigillosa)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Nitrogen-fixing living mulch that improves soil and feeds pollinators with pink blooms.
Use: Let it carpet around the dripline and pathways; keep a clear mulch ring at roselle’s main stem.
Florida Native: Frogfruit (Phyla nodiflora)
Zone Range: 7–11
Benefits: Low groundcover that supports pollinators and reduces soil splash (helpful for leaf-spot prevention).
Use: Fill edges and pathways near roselle; trim back to prevent crowding.
Florida Native: Leavenworth’s Tickseed (Coreopsis leavenworthii)
Zone Range: 8–11
Benefits: Pollinator magnet that increases beneficial insect traffic around roselle blooms.
Use: Plant as a sunny border ring to keep pollinators active through the season.
Florida Friendly: Marigolds (Tagetes spp.)
Zone Range: All zones as annuals
Benefits: Strong scent and heavy flowering can help confuse pests and draw beneficials.
Use: Plant in a loose ring around roselle (not tight to the stem) for color and pest support.
Florida Friendly: Sweet Potato (Ipomoea batatas)
Zone Range: 9–11
Benefits: Fast groundcover that suppresses weeds and helps hold soil moisture in summer heat.
Use: Use as a living mulch on the sunny side—keep vines from climbing roselle stems.
Florida Friendly: Basil (Ocimum basilicum)
Zone Range: Grown as an annual in most zones
Benefits: Flowers draw beneficial insects; aromatic foliage can help reduce pest pressure in mixed beds.
Use: Plant in clumps along the outer edge of the roselle bed for airflow and easy harvest.
Roselle is tall and thirsty: mulch deep, water consistently, and keep stems spaced for airflow. If you want more calyces, avoid heavy nitrogen once flowering starts. Harvest often to stay ahead of woody calyces and to reduce wildlife losses.
Sources & References
Reference list used for general horticultural guidance and Florida-relevant best practices (not medical advice):
- UF/IFAS Gardening Solutions — Florida-focused planting, irrigation, mulching, and seasonal garden best practices.
- UF/IFAS EDIS Publication Database — research-based references for fertilizing, soils, and common pest/disease principles in Florida.
- Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Program — water-wise landscaping guidance and “right plant, right place” concepts.
- USDA Plant Hardiness Zone Map — zone reference framework used for planting suitability.
- USDA PLANTS Database — taxonomy and general reference naming for plant species.
- NC State Extension Publications — general crop and pest-management concepts applicable across warm-season gardens.