Growing plants at home can help supplement your diet and stretch a household food budget. Luckily, there are some warm-season, heat-tolerant edibles that can thrive in a summer garden and produce year after year with the proper care.

Heat Tolerant Edible: Roselle

Growing produce in Florida requires a little bit of strategy. With all the sunshine and rain, you’d think plants would thrive in the summer season. Many do, but some favorites struggle with the heat and humidity of the summer season. Although Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa) is a tropical plant native to Africa, it is an excellent veggie to grow in your Florida garden, as long as you have full sun and room to grow. A relative of cotton, okra, and ornamental hibiscus, roselle can easily grow 4 to 7 feet tall and 3 to 5 feet wide.

Growing Conditions

Roselle, also known as Florida cranberry, red sorrel, and Jamaica sorrel, grows best when planted in full sun (6 or more hours of direct sun) and well-draining soil. The plant’s growth is shrub-like, with thick, sturdy burgundy stems that can reach a height of 7 feet tall and over 3 feet wide, so plan ahead and allocate space for them to mature to full size. Once established (once the plant has grown enough roots to survive on mostly rainfall except in extreme conditions), roselle may behave as a perennial in Zones 8-11.

• Meaning, the plant will last more than one growing season. In colder zones, roselle is an annual that usually reseeds itself.

Roselle can be planted by seed or cutting in containers or in the ground and grows best in USDA Zones 8-11. The ‘Victor’ variety grows especially well in Florida. The leaves, calyces*, seeds, and roots have long been used to make teas, jellies, jams, marmalade, tarts, wines, sauces, dyes, and more.

• The best time to plant is March to May or after the last frost.
• If you plant in early spring, prepare for a harvest in early fall, around October.
• Alternatively, plant roselle in August for a more moderate growing season, but be aware that this vegetable is cold-sensitive and can be damaged by temperatures under 40° F.

If you’re looking to collect the seeds, they can be found in the calyces.

• Visit this UF/IFAS resource to learn more about Starting Transplants Indoors – Gardening Solutions.
• Read Starting from Seed – Gardening Solutions for tips when planting with seeds.

Interestingly, the plant also has a darkness requirement. Roselle prefers 12 hours or more of darkness, and as the days get shorter, the plant will push out more of the large, light pink/cream, hibiscus-like blooms.

However, this plant will not grow as well in shade or waterlogged conditions. Roselle can handle Florida’s summer rains and is drought tolerant. Unless there is a prolonged period of drought, then the plant will require supplemental watering.

• Learn about best watering practices, visit this UF/IFAS resource.
• Read our Ways to Water and In Times of Drought blog series for more information.

*The fleshy, red structure that surrounds the flower and later contains the seeds (see photo above).

Nutritional Value

Shari Bresin, who serves as our Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County, adds her insight on the nutritional and health impacts of roselle.

“If you haven’t added roselle to your diet, you are missing out on numerous health benefits.  Studies show it reduces high blood pressure and blood glucose levels, is anti-inflammatory and antimicrobial, has antioxidant properties, and improves kidney function, liver health, cholesterol and triglycerides (National Library of Medicine, 2023). 

Within different parts of the plant (calyxes, seeds, leaves), you’ll find varying levels of Vitamin A, B Vitamins, Vitamin C, calcium, iron, magnesium, potassium, and others, according to the Open Journal of Nutrition and Food Sciences. Calcium, magnesium, and potassium play a role in regulating blood pressure.  However, there may be risks for consuming it for those that are pregnant, have low blood pressure, or are on certain medications.” 

If you’d like to schedule a program or simply ask a question, please reach out to Shari:

• Sbresin@ufl.edu
• 352-518-0156.

Shari’s program areas focus on health and wellness, including healthy eating, chronic disease prevention, and exercise; money management (budget counseling and group lessons); food safety; and food entrepreneurship.

Disclaimer: The mention of roselle’s edibility and consumption is for educational purposes only and does not imply an endorsement to consume or its safety for all individuals. Please consult a licensed health professional before using roselle for food or medicinal purposes.

Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus) is a tropical fruit native to Western Africa and a cousin to hibiscus, roselle, and cotton. Although okra bears fruit, it is a beautiful plant that also has ornamental value.

Along with fruit, okra produces vibrant green leaves and creamy, hibiscus-like flowers that attract pollinators. Historically, okra (also called ladies’ fingers or ochro) has been a staple in the kitchen, and thanks to its heat tolerance, it can be a staple in your summer garden, too.

Does your garden have the right conditions? Okra prefers:

• 6+ hours of sun a day
• Well-draining, evenly moist soil
• Soil temperatures above 65°F
• Growing area clear of weeds and plenty of space to grow

Before you plant okra, consider the following characteristics:

• upright, bushy growth
• Can reach up to 6 feet tall
• Thrives in warm weather, with peak growing season from March to November
• Produces edible pods in about 50-70 days
• Sensitive to cold temperatures

Read more here: HS1512/HS1512: Okra: Nutritional Value and Production Practices in South Florida

When Planting

The best time to plant okra in Central Florida is from February to August, or after the last frost, with a harvest in 50-70 days. Wear protective gear like gloves, sleeves, and long pants when planting. The fine, protective hairs can irritate skin.

Planting Region	Dates
	Celery	Okra	Parsley
North Florida	Aug–Feb	Mar–Jun	Sept–Mar
Central Florida	Sept–Mar	Feb–Aug	Sept–Mar
South Florida	Sept–Mar	Jan–Mar/Aug–Oct	All year

Table from: CV294/CV294: Chapter 10. Minor Vegetable Crop Production

Flowers that are successfully pollinated will develop an ovary. The mature, ripened ovary is the part you harvest and eat, known as the pod. Pods left on the plant to fully develop will produce dark seeds (pictured below).

• Tip: If harvesting for consumption, collect the pods early and frequently. Young pods are more tender. Mature pods (2-3 inches or larger) can be tough and hard to consume.

Consider the plant’s size at maturity:

• Plants should be 4-10 inches apart
• Rows should be 36-60 inches apart

Not all types of okra grow well in Florida, but common cultivars* that do are:

• Annie Oakley II (H)
• Blondy
• Cajun Delight (H)
• Clemson Spineless
• Clemson Spineless 80
• Cow’s Horn
• Emerald
• Millionaire (H)
• North and South (H)
• Spike (H)

Cultivars* are a variety of the same plant that are selected artificially for desirable traits. These cultivars perform especially well in Florida.

Nutritional Value

Shari Bresin, who serves as our Family and Consumer Sciences Agent for UF/IFAS Extension Pasco County, adds her insight on the nutritional and health impacts of okra. 

 “This low-calorie, high-fiber, gluten-free vegetable can be found in dishes around the world, from Caribbean, Indian, Middle Eastern, and West African and used in various cooking styles, from frying, roasting, stewing, to pickling and grilling. 

The high fiber slows carbohydrate absorption, making it common in diabetic-friendly recipes.  Additionally, okra has antioxidants, Vitamin C, folate, Vitamin K, calcium, and magnesium.   

Some don’t like the sliminess from the soluble fiber, mucilage.  This is how the plant stores water and thrives in hot climates, but creates the watery, gooey texture when cooked.  Adding acidic ingredients like tomatoes, vinegar, or lemon can help reduce this.  While commonly consumed cooked, you can also eat it raw for less sliminess.” 

Shari’s program areas focus on health and wellness, including healthy eating, chronic disease prevention, and exercise; money management (budget counseling and group lessons); food safety; and food entrepreneurship. Contact Shari with any questions or inquiries:  

• email: Sbresin@ufl.edu  
• phone 352-518-0156 

Disclaimer: The mention of okra’s edibility and consumption is for educational purposes only and does not imply an endorsement to consume or its safety for all individuals. Please consult a licensed health professional before using roselle for food or medicinal purposes. 

Pests and Diseases

Okra can handle the heat and humidity, but it struggles with a few pests. Luckily, there are methods for Insect Management for Okra. When dealing with garden pests, UF/IFAS recommends Integrated Pest Management. 

Some common pests include:  

• Aphids 
• Caterpillar pests 
• Cucumber beetles 
• Melon thrips 
• Root-knot nematodes 
• Southern green stink bug 
• Spider mites 
• Whiteflies 

Are you Florida Friendly?

Remember, match the growing conditions of the environment you have available to the plant’s specific needs. Consider if the soil type, light, water, and temperature are suitable for your desired plant. Follow the 9 Principles of Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ and implement IPM to help create a sustainable, low-maintenance garden that will need less water, fertilizer, and pesticides to thrive.

• Visit the Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Plant Guide to see which plants are right for your garden or read Florida-Friendly Landscaping™ Publications to learn more.
• Read the FloridaVegetableGardeningGuide.pdf for more information.

Growing plants at home can help supplement your diet and stretch a household food budget. Luckily, there are some warm-season, heat-tolerant edibles that can thrive in a summer garden and produce year after year with the proper care. Stay tuned to learn more about growing high-yield vegetables in Florida. 

UF/IFAS Resources 

• Roselle – Gardening Solutions 
• Roselle Edible Hibiscus, University of Florida 
• Chapter 10. Minor Vegetable Crop Production (Celery, Okra, and Parsley Botany and Planting) 
• Okra – Solutions for Your Life – University of Florida, Institute of Food and Agricultural Sciences – UF/IFAS 
• Okra – Gardening Solutions 
• Florida Vegetable Gardening Guide1 SP 103 http://edis.ifas.ufl.edu/pdffiles/VH/VH02100.pdf  
• Okra – Florida Master Gardener Volunteer Program
• Oh to Okra, A Summer Time Vegetable!
• Okra: Nutritional Value and Production Practices in South Florida
• Control Strategies for Seed-Borne Diseases on Okra (Abelmoschus esculentus)
• Vegetable IPM

References 

• Production of Roselle. – Page 2 – UNT Digital Library 
• Herbs and Supplements: MedlinePlus 
• Fact_Sheet – Growing_Roselle.pdf 
• Hibiscus sabdariffa (Florida Cranberry, Indian Sorrel, Jamaican Tea, Maple-Leaf Hibiscus, October Hibiscus, Red Sorrell, Roselle, Sudanese Tea) | North Carolina Extension Gardener Plant Toolbox 
• Islam MM. Food and Medicinal Values of Roselle (Hibiscus sabdariffa L. Linne Malvaceae) Plant Parts: A Review. Open J Nutr Food Sci. 2019; 1(1): 1003 

Shari Bresin, FCS Extension Agent for Pasco County, contributed to this blog. 

Supervising agent: Dr. Whitney Elmore.