Hibiscus sabdariffa Seeds (Roselle)

Hibiscus sabdariffa (Roselle) is a fast-growing annual shrub grown across India for its tart, deep-red calyces — used fresh or dried for tea, jams, chutneys, and cordials — as well as its edible sour leaves. A warm-season crop that thrives in full sun and rewards minimal care with a heavy calyx harvest.

Germination Guide

Soak seeds in warm water for 12-24 hours before sowing to soften the seed coat and improve germination. Sow 1-1.5 cm deep in warm, well-draining soil (25-30°C), keeping the bed consistently moist. Germination typically takes 7-14 days. Direct sowing after the last frost works well; transplant nursery-raised seedlings once 2-3 true leaves have formed.

Growing & Establishment

Space plants 45-60 cm apart in full sun. Roselle is a heat-loving, frost-sensitive annual — sow after the last frost date, typically April-June, for an October-December calyx harvest as day length shortens and flowering begins. Plants reach 1.5-2.5 m tall, and benefit from moderate, regular watering and a balanced fertilizer during vegetative growth. Harvest calyces 2-3 weeks after flowering, while still tender, for the best flavour and colour.

Use in India

Roselle is widely grown in home and kitchen gardens across India for its calyces, used to make Roselle tea, jams, and syrups, and for its sour leaves (used similarly to sorrel in regional cooking). It also does well as a quick-growing hedge or border planting in warm-climate gardens.

SeedsCart has supplied tree and specialty seeds to nurseries, landscapers, and home gardeners across India for over 30 years. Seeds are germination-tested before dispatch and available in bulk quantities for institutional and commercial buyers. We ship internationally.