The rosehip, also known as rose haw or rose hep, is the fruit of the rose plant, that typically is red-to-orange, but ranges from dark purple to black in some species.
The rose hip, also known as rose haw or rose hep, is the fruit of the rose plant, that typically is red-to-orange, but ranges from dark purple to black in some species. Rose hips begin to form after successful pollination of flowers in spring or early summer and ripen in late summer through autumn.
Usage
Rose hips are used for tisanes, jam, jelly, syrup, soup, beverages, pies, bread, wine, and marmalade. They can also be eaten raw, like a berry, if care is used to avoid the hairs inside the fruit.
A few rose species are sometimes grown for the ornamental value of their hips, such as Rosa moyesii, which has prominent large red bottle-shaped fruits.
Rose hips have recently[when?] become popular as a healthy treat for pet chinchillas and guinea pigs. These small rodents are unable to manufacture their own vitamin C and are unable to digest many vitamin-C rich foods. Rose hips provide a sugarless, safe way to increase their vitamin C intake.
Rose hips are also fed to horses. The dried and powdered form can be fed at a maximum of 1 tablespoon per day to improve coat condition and new hoof growth.
The fine hairs found inside rose hips are used as itching powder. Dried rose hips are also sold for primitive crafts and home fragrance purposes.
Rose hips were used in many food preparations by the indigenous peoples of the Americas.
Rose hips can be used to make Palinka, a traditional Hungarian alcoholic beverage. They are also the central ingredient of Cockta, the fruity-tasting national soft drink of Slovenia.
In his book Stalking the Faraway Places, wild foods enthusiast Euell Gibbons recommended stuffed rose hips made by slicing a large hip in half, removing the seeds and inserting a wild raspberry.
Rose hips are commonly used as a tisane, often blended with hibiscus, and also as an oil. They can also be used to make jam, jelly, marmalade, and rose hip wine. Rose hip soup, "nyponsoppa", is especially popular in Sweden. Rhodomel, a type of mead, is made with rose hips.
Medical uses
Rose hips are particularly high in vitamin C content, one of the richest plant sources available. However, RP-HPLC assays of fresh rose hips and several commercially available products revealed a wide range of L-ascorbic acid content, ranging from 0.03 to 1.3%.[2] Rose hips of some species, especially Rosa canina (Dog Rose) and R. majalis, have been used as a source of vitamin C. During World War II, the people of Britain were encouraged through letters to The Times newspaper, articles in the British Medical Journal, and pamphlets produced by Claire Loewenfeld, a dietitian working for Great Ormond Street Hospital for Sick Children, to gather wild-grown rose hips and to make a vitamin C syrup for children. This was because German submarines were sinking many commercial ships: citrus fruits from the tropics were very difficult to import.
Rose hips contain plenty of lycopene, an important and strong antioxidant that prevents oxidation of low density lipoprotein (LDL) as well as of many cellular membranes.[3] Lycopene in rose hips differs more in its isomer distribution than in other sources (tomatoes, pink grapefruit).[citation needed]
Rose hips also contain some vitamin A and B, essential fatty acids, and antioxidant flavonoids.
A study of a rose hip preparation for treating rheumatoid arthritis concluded that there was a benefit, apparently due to both anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant effects.
Rose hips are used to help prevent colds and influenza.
Propagation
Roses are propagated from hips by removing the achenes that contain the seeds from the hypanthium (the outer coating) and sowing just beneath the surface of the soil. The seeds can take many months to germinate. Most species require chilling (stratification), with some such as Rosa canina only germinating after two winter chill periods have occurred.
| Organic Seeds ? | Organic Seeds |
|---|---|
| Organic/natural ? | Organic/Natural: Yes |
| Edible ? | Edible |
| Germination ? | Germination rate 80% |
| Pretreatment of sowing ? | Soak in water before sowing 12-24 h Stratification needed: Yes |
| Life Cycle: | Perennial plant : Yes |
| Handpicked seeds ? | Handpicked seeds |
| Resistant to cold and frost ? | Cold resistant: to −40 °C |
| Suitable for growing in flower pot ? | Suitable for pot: Yes |
| Origin of seeds ? | Origin of seeds: Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Origin Country of Variety ? | Variety from: Bosnia and Herzegovina |
| Medicinal Plant ? | Medicinal Plant: Yes |
We ship worldwide from the European Union using registered air post with signature confirmation on delivery.
Log in to your account and go to Order History > Details to find your tracking number.
You will receive email notifications at every step — please check your spam/junk folder if you don’t see them.
Track your package via:
Cash on delivery is not available.
Always provide a valid mobile number with country code when ordering (e.g., +365 456 7686 576).
Do not order to P.O. Boxes or if you cannot be home to sign for the package. We cannot leave parcels with neighbors.
If a package sent to a P.O. Box is lost or undelivered, you lose the right to a refund.
For customers in Brazil and Mexico:
We cannot refund packages lost or destroyed by customs.
If your package is returned, we will refund only the product cost — shipping costs are not refundable.
You must pay return postage (€2) and any costs for reshipping.
If a package is returned to us for any reason, you are responsible for paying the return shipping (€2) plus the cost to resend the package.
Registered shipments require a signature from the recipient.
If your tracking shows the package is still at the origin post office, it means the package is in transit — please contact your local post office directly for updates.
We are not responsible for delivery times and cannot track shipments for you.
| Delivery Option | Processing Time | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Priority Delivery | Ships in 1-7 business days | Prioritizes order processing (not guaranteed faster delivery); delays possible during holidays (3-10 days) |
| Secured Delivery | Ships in 1-7 business days | Available for orders up to €150; refund if lost |
| Standard Delivery | Ships in 7-10 business days | More economical; delays possible during holidays (7-14 days) |
Estimated Delivery Time:
Within the EU: 3–20 days
Worldwide: 5–30 days
Example delivery times to the USA:
Delivered in 13, 17, 19, 22, or 27 days.
Note: Delivery times depend on your location and the local postal system. COVID-19 may cause additional delays.
Shipping and handling fees are calculated automatically during checkout based on the weight of the parcel and the destination country.
We do not process or ship orders on Saturdays or Sundays.
Bank Transfer (SEPA / IBAN / SWIFT-BIC)
Include your order reference in the payment description (e.g., "SGS-19811702"). Orders without payment within 7 days are automatically cancelled.
PayPal
Payments accepted in Euros only. Please select Euros at checkout.
Card Payment
For card payments, visit our other site: Exotic Seeds Store
We accept Visa, MasterCard, American Express, CB, Diners Club, Discover, China UnionPay, JCB, and Discover.
Customers are responsible for any transaction fees. Please provide payment details to help us process your order efficiently.
Before placing your order, please check our website for any special notices, holiday schedules, or specific conditions that may affect your purchase.
