Rosella Plants
Rosella (Hibiscus sabdariffa)
The rosella, Hibiscus sabdarilla, is a member of the Malvaceae family of plants. Other well known members of this family include the ornamental hibiscus, cotton, cacao and okra. It is native to India and Malaysia but long ago was naturalized by many other tropical and sub tropical countries including Australia. Because of its popularity the rosella has many names some include roselle, Jamaican Tea, Maple-Leaf Hibiscus, Florida Cranberry, October Hibiscus, Red Sorrel and the list goes on.
The Rosella bush produces red edible calyxes that are high in vitamin C. They have a pleasant tart-sweet flavour that goes well in salads, jellies, red sauces, jams, cordials, syrups, fruit teas and wine. They are often found in shops, preserved whole in syrup or liquid, as a decorative and flavoring additive for cocktails, white wine or champagne. The seeds may be roasted and ground into flour. The young leaves may be steamed or stir-fried – these are also known as red sorrel.
The rosella bush will grow to between one and two meters tall. As the plant grows young shoots and leaves can be used both raw in salads or cooked like a spicy spinach in curries, stir fries or just as a green vegetable
After flowering, the large fleshy calyx is ready for harvesting. The first harvest is usually underwhelming, but this plant will produce a more prolific harvest after its second flowering in Autumn. Simply snip the plumpest calyxes straight off the bush.
Plant Care
- Soil: Prefers well-drained soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0.
- Watering: Water regularly to keep the soil evenly moist.
- Temperature: Grows best in temperatures between 20°C and 30°C.
- Light: Full sun is essential for optimal growth and flower production.
- Fertilising: Apply a balanced NPK fertilizer such as 10-10-10 every two months during the growing season.
- Pruning: Prune to encourage bushiness and remove dead or old growth.
- Mulching: Mulch around the base to retain moisture, suppress weeds, and keep roots cool.
- Pest Control: Monitor for pests like aphids and spider mites, and manage with appropriate organic treatments.
- Flowering and Fruiting: Produces vibrant, edible calyces that are harvested for making teas, jams, and syrups.
- Potting: Can be grown in containers; ensure they are large enough to accommodate growth and have good drainage.
- Feeding Regime: Regular feeding with a balanced fertilizer promotes healthy plant growth and abundant flowering.
We ship our plants and garden supplies throughout New Zealand. Due to the increased costs of shipping and packaging, we now apply a delivery charge. After offering free shipping for three consecutive years, we find it necessary to adjust this policy to align with current market conditions. However, we have lowered our prices to help offset this change.
Please note, we do not ship plants or garden supplies internationally from New Zealand. We do export plants and tissue culture materials from our overseas nursery, which requires a minimum order. Please contact us at hello@exoticanz.com to discuss your specific requirements.
Shipping (plants) from:
North Island Urban $25
North Island Rural $35
South Island Urban $25
South Island Rural $35
Shipping Garden Supplies:
North Island Urban $20
North Island Rural $25
South Island Urban $35
South Island Rural $45
Delivery
- Our plants are available for shipment from September to April, depending on stock levels. Typical delivery times range from 5 to 7 business days, although they can take up to 10 business days depending on the destination.
- We take extra care in packaging; most of our plants are secured in bespoke inserts and shipped in individual boxes to ensure they arrive undamaged.
- Deliveries are scheduled once a fortnight, typically on Monday. If you place your order over the weekend, we aim to dispatch your plants on the following Monday. This scheduling allows our team to prepare your order thoroughly and ensures the courier has sufficient time to deliver your plants safely, avoiding any unnecessary delays over the weekend.
- All orders are shipped via courier track and trace service (not signature required)
- We cannot deliver to PO Box addresses.
- If you have a rural address, please contact us beforehand to discuss the best delivery options and avoid any potential issues.
Additional Delivery Information
- Most plants are shipped with soil. During the cooler months, we closely monitor weather conditions and may temporarily delay shipments if the weather is particularly severe. Our packing process includes adding insulation when necessary to protect the plants against temperature extremes.
- In summer, we ensure that plants are thoroughly watered before they leave our nursery. Occasionally, we may need to ship plants bare-rooted, particularly when they cannot be comfortably re-potted into smaller packaging for shipping. We will always discuss this with you in advance if your plant needs to be shipped in this manner.
- It's important to note that shipping can be a stressful experience for plants, often due to spending several days in a dark, confined space. While most plants withstand this with little to no stress, some may experience leaf drop. However, they generally recover quickly with some additional care, including proper watering and gradual reintroduction to light after arrival.
