How to Care for Patio Roses

Patio roses require only inches of planting space.

Patio roses are small, hardy roses that can grow inside of the home or outdoors. Patio roses grow up to 18 inches tall, depending on the specific variety. They produce flowers that are much smaller than traditional rose blooms. Patio roses left outdoors in the winter will go dormant in climates where the winters are cold. Indoor patio roses will continue to bloom throughout the winter.

Things You'll Need

• Saucer
• Water-soluble fertilizer
• Organic compost
• Garden rake
• Garden shovel
• Rain gauge
• Garden hose
• Mulch
• 10-10-10 fertilizer
• Hand pruning tool

Instructions

Indoor Care for Patio Roses

1. Place the patio rose's flowerpot on a saucer. The saucer needs to be large enough to accommodate the bottom of the pot. Water the patio rose plant until water flows from the holes in the pot and into the saucer. Stop watering, and empty the saucer when the water stops flowing. Repeat waterings when the top inch of soil is dry. Use your finger to determine how moist the soil is, at least once a week.

2. Dilute a water-soluble fertilizer to one-quarter strength. Pour the fertilizer into the soil near the stem of the patio rose. You must do this once a week to once every two weeks when the plant is flowering. Do not fertilize if the plant is not in bloom.

3. Place the patio rose in an area where it will receive 6 hours of sunlight a day. Do not place it on a windowsill where there is a draft or directly over a source of heat. Keep the temperature of the room set between 60 and 70 degrees Fahrenheit.

4. Rotate the pot, 90 degrees, once a week. This ensures the plant is getting an even amount of light.

Outdoor Care for Patio Roses

1. Add a 2-inch layer of organic compost to the planting area. Use a garden rake to mix the compost into the top 6 inches of soil. Dig a hole with a garden shovel the same depth as the root ball of the patio rose plant. Place a bare-root plant into the hole, and backfill with previously displaced soil.

2. Place a rain gauge in the garden to record rainfall. If the rainfall is below 2 inches weekly, water the flowers with a garden hose to make-up for the lack of moisture. Patio roses that are planted in the ground need 2 inches of rain per week.

3. Lay a 2-inch layer of mulch over the planting area. Mulch helps the soil retain moisture, and keeps the roots of the plant warmer.

4. Fertilize the patio roses with a complete 10-10-10 granular fertilize. Use a small garden rake to push the granules down into the top 4 inches of soil. Do this once when you begin to see blooms and once during the height of blooming. Do not fertilize after this time, as the patio rose needs to get ready for dormancy.

5. Pinch off any dead flowers with your fingers. Use a hand pruner to remove dead or dying branches of the patio rose plant. Build a mound of soil over the plant's roots in early fall. The mound needs to cover 2 to 3 inches above the ground. Lay a 1-inch layer of decaying leaves over the mound. This will keep the patio roses warm during any cold weather.

Tips & Warnings

• Aphids and spider mites are common pests for both indoor and outdoor patio roses. Use a spray of water from a spray bottle to remove the pests from the patio rose plant.

References

• Iowa State University Reiman Gardens: Miniture Roses
• University of Kentucky School of Agriculture: Roses
• AgriLife Extension A&M University: Rose Gardening in Containers