A woody annual, rosella is a small bush, growing to 1.5m with green leaves on a red stem. It prefers a warm climate with temperatures over 25C. They prefer well drained soil and require at least 5 months of warm weather to flower.
The delicate flower of the rosella indicates its membership of the hibiscus family but it defies classification in that it is grown not only for the fibre content of its stems but for the deep red calyces which form after the flowers and are used in the kitchen for colour and their sharp acid berry flavour. The fruit is not used at all although the young shoots and leaves may also be eaten.