How to Grow Container Roses

You love roses but you live in an apartment. You have a new house but don’t have time right now to put in a garden. Whatever the reason, you can still enjoy your favorite flower. Many roses can be grown in containers on a patio, deck or balcony. Despite what some people think, roses are hardy flowers and once established, come back year after year, even in containers.

Difficulty: Moderate

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Rose plant
• Container with a saucer
• Potting soil with a 6.4 to 6.8 pH
• Mulch
• Broken pottery or rocks (optional)
• Gardening trowel
• Water
• Plant food for container plants
• Pruning shears

1. Decide what type of rose you want to grow in a container. Many roses are large plants when fully mature. Roses that grow no taller than 15 to 24 inches tall, such miniature roses, groundcover roses or small patio rose trees work well in containers.

2. Choose a container that allows the rose’s roots room to grow. For instance, the roots of miniature roses grow out instead of down, so they need a 5 to 7 gallon container that is wider than it is tall. Make sure the container has adequate drainage. If it doesn’t, add a layer of broken pottery or rocks to the bottom of the container.

3. Fill the container almost half full with potting soil. Remove the rose from the store container, being careful not to damage the roots. Place it in the container and add more potting soil to hold the rose in place. Water to settle the soil around the roots. Finish adding more potting soil to within two to three inches below the top of the container. Tamp down carefully and add a layer of mulch to within 1 ½ to 2 inches below the top of the container.

4. Place the container in a location where the rose will receive at least 6 hours of direct sunlight every day. Be careful when moving the container so that water doesn’t spill out of the saucer. Once the container is in its final location, water the rose again. Water lightly every day for two weeks until the rose is established and shows signs of new growth. If you see the rose tilting towards the light, shift the position of the container.

5. Water and feed the container rose more frequently than flower garden roses. However, be careful not to over do it. If you see the rose leaves turning yellow, it might be due to overwatering. Cut back on the water and see whether the rose leaves respond. Prune container roses the same as if they were in a flower bed.

6. The container's soil will lose its nutrients about every three years or so, and the rose will need to be re-potted. Remove the root ball from the container and trim off two to three inches from its sides and bottom. Replant using fresh potting soil.

Tips & Warnings

• If you use a terra cotta container, be prepared to water the rose more frequently.
• If you have a late spring freeze, bring the container rose inside until the temperatures warm again.
• Don’t use a black container; it will absorb the heat and burn the roots.
• Some chemical pesticides or fungicides are not designed for container flowers. Check the label before purchasing.

Resources

• How to Utilize Container Roses