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Home » Planting & Growing

How to plant and grow roses (beginners guide)

Published: Jun 7, 2023 · Updated: Jun 7, 2023 · This post may contain affiliate links. We earn commission from purchases made. ·

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An infographic showing how to deadhead roses and why it's important
an infographic showing pruning roses
an infographic showing watering roses for newly planted roses and established roses in the spring summer fall and winter
an infographic showing caring for roses full sun feed your roses once a year prince roses once a year in winter or spring water in the morning
roses growing in a garden with text overlay that reads how to grow roses a beginners guide

Are you thinking of adding some rose bushes to your home? Here's a beginner guide on what you need to know on how to grow the most beautiful roses in your whole neighborhood.

rose bushes with big pink blooms
Jump to:
  • How to plant roses
  • Caring for roses
  • How much water do new roses need?
  • How to prune roses (and why it's important)
  • How to deadhead roses
  • Helpful items to have
  • Rose FAQ

Growing roses can be very easy as long as you have the proper tools, the right rose bush, and some patience.

How to plant roses

a woman finishing planting a small rose bush in the garden
  1. Dig a hole bigger than the root ball of your rose bush in a full sun area.
  2. Sprinkle some rose food into the hole and mix with the soil.
  3. Then, carefully loosen up the root ball of the rose bush with your hands and then set it into the hole and fill with remaining soil.
  4. Water deeply right after planting.

Caring for roses

an infographic showing caring for roses full sun feed your roses once a year prince roses once a year in winter or spring water in the morning

If you know how to care for your rose bushes, they will grow and give you plenty of beautiful blooms, but there are a few things to remember:

  • Water them in the morning- roses are prone to a powdery mildew if you water them at night.
  • Make sure to prune them- pruning will help your rose bushes produce more roses.
  • Feed your roses yearly- if you want the best roses your plant can produce, make sure you are feeding yearly (typically in spring).
  • Seal your roses after pruning-one often overlooked care tip beginner rose gardeners forget is to seal your roses after you prune. Unsealed stems can be damaged by rose cane borers, which can wreak havoc on your roses. A small dot of Elmer's glue will work great!

How much water do new roses need?

an infographic showing watering roses for newly planted roses and established roses in the spring summer fall and winter

Watering new roses

Newly planted rose bushes should be watered every 2 days for the first 3 weeks. After 3 weeks, water 1-2 times per week until fall.

Water until the soil is wet about 1 inch down.

When it's fall, you will want to cut back the watering and only water when the ground is completely dry as the roses will start to go dormant.

Watering established roses

As the roses become more established, you can cut back watering to once a week or twice a week in spring.

Water until the soil is wet about 2 inches down.

In summer, you will need to water every 2-3 days depending on your weather.

In the fall and winter water only when the ground is completely dry. When your roses go dormant they won't need much water.

How to prune roses (and why it's important)

an infographic showing pruning roses

Pruning is very important for roses because it helps encourage lots of new growth and flowers. It also helps get rid of any diseased or dead parts that could spread.

  • Roses need to be pruned once a year in the winter or spring.
  • Pune your rose bush back about ⅓ - ⅔ of the plant just above a branch that has at least 5 leaves.
  • Prune with garden shears or loppers at a 45 degree angle.
  • Finish by sealing your plant with some Elmer's glue.

How to deadhead roses

An infographic showing how to deadhead roses and why it's important

Once the flowers on your rose bush start to wilt, it's time to do some deadheading.

Deadheading is removing the rose by cutting right below the bloom.

Why is deadheading important?

It's important because it encourages new blooms, new growth, and helps prevent fungal infections.

Helpful items to have

  • Pruning shears
  • Thorn-proof gardening gloves
  • Rose food
  • Garden anvil lopper (for pruning older rose bushes with thick canes)

Rose FAQ

What to do if my rose bushes have powdery mildew?

Mix a spray bottle with 1 part milk and 1 part water. Spray on the affected rose bushes in the morning. Use until you don't notice any more discoloration on the leaves.

Why doesn't my rose bush have any flowers on it?

The most common reason your rose bush has stopped flowering is not pruning. Pruning gives energy back to the plant to produce buds and flowers that will bloom.

When should I remove wilted roses?

Once the flower starts to wilt, it's time to do some light pruning or dead-heading depending on the season.

What should I do with unhealthy stems?

If you notice a dead or dying rose stem, prune it back past the unhealthy discoloration until you are right above a stem with 6 good leaves.

When roses go dormant, can I stop watering?

This depends on the moisture level of your area. If the ground is completely hard, you will want to water your rose bushes (even in the winter) lightly.

You might also enjoy reading:

  • best smelling flowers to plant
  • flowers that attract butterflies

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