Rose care guide
Rosa
Also known as: Garden rose, Miniature rose
Pets and children
Caution advised
Few toxicity reports, but thorns can injure the mouth and paws and sprayed leaves may carry pesticide; keep it out of reach and consult a veterinarian (or a doctor, for a child) if eaten.
How often to water Rose
- Spring–Summer (Mar–Sep)
- Every 2 days
- Water until it runs from the pot base once the topsoil dries, as a guide; in midsummer a pot may need it morning and evening.
- Autumn (Oct–Nov)
- Every 3 days
- Fall blooms are coming: water well once the topsoil dries, as a guide, with the gaps growing as it cools.
- Winter (Dec–Feb)
- Every 7 days
- Leafless and dormant it dries slowly, so water a few days after the soil dries, as a guide; bone-dry soil damages the roots.
Light and placement for Rose
Outdoors with 5–6 hours or more of direct sun and good air flow, as a guide; too little sun means fewer flowers and more disease, so move pots off hot paving in midsummer.
Overwintering Rose
Overwintering guide: −10°C (14°F) or above
Hardy and generally left outdoors to rest leafless; pots go under the eaves only in hard freezes, a warm room stops the rest, and January to February is for pruning and repotting.
Fertilizing and repotting Rose
Fertilizer
Feeds heavily: organic fertilizer in January or February, then slow-release about monthly or liquid feed every one to two weeks from March to October, easing off in midsummer and dormancy.
When to repot
Autumn (Oct–Nov), Winter (Dec–Feb)
Common problems with Rose
- In too little sun flowers dwindle and black spot and mildew spread.
- Drying out in midsummer drops the leaves, while a full saucer rots the roots.
- Without winter pruning and repotting the plant ages and the flowers shrink.
Tips for growing Rose
- On repeat-flowering roses, cut spent blooms above a five-leaflet leaf for the next flush.
- Black spot spreads in rain: water at the base and clear infected and fallen leaves promptly.
- Repot container roses each winter, into a slightly larger pot or with the roots trimmed.
These are AI-generated general guidelines. They vary with the variety, the placement and the pot size. For effects on pets or children, consult a veterinarian or a doctor.
Keep your plant log going
Greenery is a free app that keeps your plant care going, with watering reminders and photo records. Available on iOS and Android.
