Roselle (hibiscus sorrel) Hibiscus sabdariffa
Roselle (hibiscus sorrel) (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is an annual vegetable in the Malvaceae family, native to West Africa. It grows 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) tall and 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft) wide, wants full sun and moderate water, and is hardy to about 12 °C (54 °F). Space plants about 90 cm (35 in) apart.
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Roselle (hibiscus sorrel) at a glance
| Type | Annual vegetable |
|---|---|
| Family | Malvaceae |
| Mature height | 1–2.5 m (3.3–8.2 ft) |
| Mature spread | 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft) |
| Spacing | 90 cm (35 in) centre to centre |
| Sun | Full sun, at least 7 h of direct sun a day |
| Water | Moderate; drought tolerance moderate, waterlogging tolerance none |
| Soil pH | 5.5–7.5 |
| Cold hardiness | About 12 °C (54 °F) once established (roughly USDA zone 12) |
| Heat stress | Likely above about 40 °C (104 °F) |
| Flowering | about 13–19 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks |
| Days to maturity | About 150 days from planting |
| Wind tolerance | Low |
| Pollinator value | Moderate |
| Edible | Yes: red calyces (zobo, karkadé, agua de Jamaica), young leaves |
| Native to | West Africa |
| Common in gardens of | 🇳🇬 Nigeria, 🇪🇬 Egypt, 🇲🇽 Mexico, 🇹🇭 Thailand, 🇮🇳 India, 🇸🇬 Singapore |
Is Roselle (hibiscus sorrel) toxic?
- People: not known to be toxic
- Cats: not known to be toxic
- Dogs: not known to be toxic
No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
If a child or pet may have eaten part of a plant, call a poison centre or vet straight away.
Companion planting: what to grow with Roselle (hibiscus sorrel)
No well-documented helpful pairing. Group it with plants that like full sun and moderate water.
Questions about Roselle (hibiscus sorrel)
- How far apart should I plant Roselle (hibiscus sorrel)?
- About 90 cm (35 in) apart, centre to centre. A mature plant spreads 80 cm–1.2 m (31 in–3.9 ft).
- Does Roselle (hibiscus sorrel) need full sun?
- Full sun: at least 7 hours of direct sun a day.
- How much water does Roselle (hibiscus sorrel) need?
- Moderate water. Drought tolerance is moderate and waterlogging tolerance none.
- How cold-hardy is Roselle (hibiscus sorrel)?
- It tolerates about 12 °C (54 °F) once established, roughly USDA zone 12. As an annual it is usually planted out after the last frost.
- When does Roselle (hibiscus sorrel) flower?
- About 13–19 weeks after planting, for 4–9 weeks.
- Is Roselle (hibiscus sorrel) poisonous to cats and dogs?
- For cats it is not known to be toxic; for dogs not known to be toxic; for people not known to be toxic. No toxicity reported in ASPCA or standard poison references.
- What grows well with Roselle (hibiscus sorrel)?
- There is no well-documented companion pairing for Roselle (hibiscus sorrel). Group it with plants that like the same sun (full sun) and water (moderate).
Sources and evidence
Evidence grade A (A: strong evidence).
- EcoCrop crop environmental requirements, FAO
- PROTA4U: Plant Resources of Tropical Africa, PROTA Foundation, Wageningen
Notes and assumptions
- Short-day plant: flowers as nights lengthen in autumn; harvest the fleshy calyces about 10 days after the flower opens.
Reference values for planning, not horticultural, veterinary or medical advice. Varieties, soils and local climates differ: check with a local nursery or extension service.
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