Roselle in Zone 3a & 3b
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Yes, roselle grows in zones 3a and 3b. Start seeds indoors Apr 4–Apr 11 and plant out Jun 13–Jun 20.
When to plant roselle in zone 3b
Zones 3a and 3b share the same average frost dates, so this page covers both.
Method: Start indoors: Start indoors from seed, then transplant outside. It needs a head start most zones can't give it by direct-sowing alone.
| Start indoors | Apr 4–Apr 11 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | Jun 13–Jun 20 |
| Estimated harvest | Nov 10–Nov 17 (~150 days after transplanting) |
Spacing: about 10 square feet per plant (square-foot-gardening spacing). Mature height: 4-7 ft.
Plant alongside it in zone 3b
These go outside within two weeks of roselle in zone 3b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoJun 13–Jun 20
- Bush BeansJun 6–Jun 13
- Sweet CornJun 6–Jun 13
- CucumberJun 6–Jun 13
- ZucchiniJun 6–Jun 13
- Winter SquashJun 6–Jun 13
Roselle is grown for the fleshy red calyx left behind when the flower drops, which is what red hibiscus tea is made from. Almost everything about its timing is late.
How roselle fits zone 3's season
Zone 3b's frost-free window runs about 98 days, from May 30 to September 5. Roselle needs about 150 days from transplant to first harvest.
Roselle planting windows in every zone
Zone 3b is highlighted. Useful for comparing against a neighbouring zone, or for a garden somewhere else.
| Zone | Start indoors | Sow or plant out | Harvest |
|---|---|---|---|
| 3a & 3b (your zone) | Apr 4–Apr 11 | Jun 13–Jun 20 | Nov 10–Nov 17 |
| 4a & 4b | Mar 20–Mar 27 | May 29–Jun 5 | Oct 26–Nov 2 |
| 5a & 5b | Mar 15–Mar 22 | May 24–May 31 | Oct 21–Oct 28 |
| 6a & 6b | Feb 28–Mar 7 | May 9–May 16 | Oct 6–Oct 13 |
| 7a & 7b | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Apr 24–May 1 | Sep 21–Sep 28 |
| 8a & 8b | Jan 28–Feb 4 | Apr 8–Apr 15 | Sep 5–Sep 12 |
| 9a & 9b | Dec 21–Dec 28 | Mar 1–Mar 8 | Jul 29–Aug 5 |
| 10a & 10b | Dec 5–Dec 12 | Feb 13–Feb 20 | Jul 13–Jul 20 |
Harvest dates are about 150 days after the sow or plant-out date, not after starting seeds indoors.
Good companions
No well-established companions for roselle.
Where to buy roselle seeds
True Leaf Market (each supplier's roselle seeds)
See why we recommend these suppliers →
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See it growing
Search YouTube for "growing roselle" videos → (a live search, not a hand-picked video; results vary and aren't vetted by us)
← Back to the full zone 3b calendar · Plan your beds in the Garden Designer →
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Growing Roselle in USDA zone 3b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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