Use this guide to grow miniature roses in containers, as flowerbed borders, hedges, or groundcover.
Miniature roses emerged in the 1930s as an accidental result of rose hybridizing.
In addition to being beautiful and fragrant, they have no thorns and are robust rebloomers.
Credit:Edward Gohlich
Miniature roses are incredibly hardy but need extra winter protection in cold climates.
Where to Plant Miniature Roses
Plant miniature roses outdoors in Zones 4-11.
In colder areas, they can be grown in containers indoors and moved outdoors in spring.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
Select a location that receives six to eight hours of sun a day.
They can tolerate partial sun but wont bloom as profusely.
These plants need rich, loamy, and well-drained soil to be their best.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
Miniature roses adapt well to flowerbed edging, front-of-the-border socializing with perennials and annuals, and low hedges.
Because of their many hues, they can work with any garden color scheme.
Dig a hole the same height as the pot it came in and about a foot wider.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
After removing the plant, loosen the roots.
Spread out the roots on top of the soil that youve enhanced with organic matter.
Add mulch after watering.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
Space several plants 12 to 24 inches apart, depending on the variety.
Like bigger roses, miniature roses do best if planted in spring.
Light
Miniature roses do best in at least six to eight hours offull sundaily.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
Too much shade can cause them to become sparse.
In addition, lots of sun helps withdisease resistance.
Soil and Water
The best soil for miniature roses is loamy, rich, and well-drained.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
If you plant them in containers, use light, nutrient-packed soil thatdrains wellto avoid root rot.
Water deeply and add water when the soil is dry, about 1 inch per week.
Potted miniature roses, especially those grown indoors, need more water than in the garden.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
If you expect a freeze, bring any potted plants indoors toprotect them from the cold.
Fertilizer
Roses needplenty of fertilizingto bloom throughout the season.
A commercial rose food or all-purpose product is fine.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
Begin fertilizing in spring when the first leaves appear, and repeat after each abundant bloom.
Consult the product label instructions to determine the correct amount to use.
Stop feeding your plants six to eight weeks before thefirst frost.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
Pruning
Prune rosesin late winter or early spring before new blooms appear.
It helps to add gravel to the bottom of the pot to facilitate drainage.
Use potting soil with good nutrients that promote drainage.
Credit:Doug Hetherington
Also, they may need some additional humidity to stay healthy.
If pests persist, try a chemical insecticide to minimize the damage.
How to Propagate Miniature Roses
Cuttings are the way to propagate miniature roses.
Credit: Helen Norman
Plant healthy cuttings in a mix ofmoist soil and perliteafter snipping the base for better water absorption.
Dont overwater the cutting or the soiljust mist it.
Set a plastic bag over the top of the cutting, but dont let it touch the cutting.
Credit:David Nevala
When that happens, remove the plastic bag.
Once the stem is growing leaves, you might pot it or transplant it to your garden.
The plant grows 2 feet tall and wide.
Credit: Justin Hancock
The foliage is glossy and dark green.
Plants grow 2 feet tall and wide.
Zones 5-10
Baby Love Rose
RosaBaby Love usually outperforms all other roses, large and small.
Single buttercup-colored blooms continually smother the upright plant.
The bright green foliage is exceptionally disease-resistant.
Plants grow 3 feet tall.
The plant grows 2 feet tall and wide.
Zones 4-10
Carrot Top Rose
RosaCarrot Top bears double-petal, sizzling orange flowers.
The rounded plants grow 12-16 inches high.
Zones 5-9
Dancing Flame Rose
RosaDancing Flame features cerise-pink edging on yellow petals.
An abundant bloomer, it also has glossy, disease-resistant foliage.
It grows to 2 feet tall and wide.
It grows 2 feet tall.
It blooms profusely and grows 16 inches tall.
Zones 5-9
Magic Carousel Rose
RosaMagic Carousel offers rounded petals edged in red that frame snow-white centers.
The vigorous plants grow 18 inches tall and wide.
Zones 5-11
Rainbows End Rose
RosaRainbows End blooms feature lemon-yellow petals highlighted by scarlet edging.
The colors stay true when grown indoors or outdoors.
It grows 22 inches high and wide.
This variety features generous flowering and glossy, dark green foliage.
It grows to 2 feet tall.
It comes in a range of colors.
When grown as an annual, it reaches 3 feet tall.
Zones 811
Verbena
Verbenablooms in cool spring weather before most other plants in the garden.
The flower stalks bloom all season and continue to grow and produce new buds.
Verbena also grows well in containers.
Frequently Asked Questions
It could be the fertilizer youre using.
If your fertilizer has too much nitrogen, it can encourage miniature roses to produce greenery instead of blooms.
Use a fertilizer specifically for roses for the best results.
Giving roses of particular colors can carry significant meaning to the giver and the recipient.
Potted miniature rosebushes usually live up to three years if they are overwintered indoors in cold areas.
Remove the leaves (not the hips) from the rosebush and tie up its branches with twine.
Then, wrap the entire bush and collar with burlap and add mulch to the bottom of the plant.
