Roselle in Zone 6a & 6b
Hibiscus sabdariffa
Yes, roselle grows in zones 6a and 6b. Start seeds indoors Feb 28–Mar 7 and plant out May 9–May 16.
When to plant roselle in zone 6b
Zones 6a and 6b 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 | Feb 28–Mar 7 |
|---|---|
| Direct sow / transplant outside | May 9–May 16 |
| Estimated harvest | Oct 6–Oct 13 (~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 6b
These go outside within two weeks of roselle in zone 6b, so one planting day can cover them.
- TomatoMay 9–May 16
- Bush BeansMay 2–May 9
- Sweet CornMay 2–May 9
- CucumberMay 2–May 9
- ZucchiniMay 2–May 9
- Winter SquashMay 2–May 9
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 6's season
Zone 6b's frost-free window runs about 173 days, from April 25 to October 15. Roselle needs about 150 days from transplant to first harvest.
Roselle planting windows in every zone
Zone 6b 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 | 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 (your zone) | 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)
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Growing Roselle in USDA zone 6b: when to start seeds indoors, when to direct-sow, and when to expect a harvest.
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