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Photo Credit: ©2001 Dolezal Publishing/John M. Rickard

Potted roses need a little extra care. Help them thrive by watering them whenever the soil becomes dry, fertilizing them every 2-3 weeks and shielding them from direct sunlight when temperatures climb.

The nicest part about growing roses in containers is that you can add them nearly anywhere you’d like, no matter how large or small your garden. Provided you give your potted roses a sunny spot, your options are practically limitless.

The downside to container roses is the fact they’re subject to greater stress than inground plants. First, the amount of soil available to nurture them is limited. Combine this with the fact that roses grow quickly to fill the soil in their pots, and you’ve got trouble. In fact, roses grown in containers require annual repotting to keep them healthy and producing optimal blooms. The last thing you want is a root-bound rose with hardly any foliage or flowers.

Another thing about containerized roses is that the pots themselves are often problematic, exposing plant roots to the air, which fluctuates in temperature to a greater degree than subsurface soil. Many pots are porous, permitting soil moisture to wick away and evaporate. This all means it takes a bit more attention and effort to care for potted roses.

To help counteract the drawbacks to containers, start by choosing the largest planters possible for your roses (that’s still aesthetically pleasing for your garden) and filling it with loose, organic soil able to resist compaction. Establish a schedule for fertilizing your container roses every 2-3 weeks, and follow it scrupulously. Use a dilute liquid fertilizer, such as liquid fish emulsion.

Adjust watering schedules as weather conditions change to ensure that the soil in the container remains moist. Avoid placing the container in a drip catching pan that retains standing water, and always provide good drainage – roses that are left in standing water often develop root rot or other fungal diseases.

Every 2-3 months, water your potted rose deeply by submerging the entire container in fresh water for half an hour, then allowing it to drain completely. (Deep watering like this helps leach evaporative salts.) Mulch the surface of the soil with ground bark or peat to help retain moisture and provide additional nutrients as it decomposes. You should also regularly cultivate the soil, loosening it to allow water, air and nutrients to easily penetrate.

You should repot your rose to a larger container at least once a year. (The best time to do this is when roses are naturally dormant, usually in late winter or early spring.) When repotting, free any root-bound strands and cut any encircling roots. Use this opportunity to completely replace the soil surrounding the outer third of the plant. Wash away the old, depleted soil with a gentle stream of water as you carefully rub it with your gloved hand, then replace it with fresh potting soil in your larger container. Take the easy steps shown in the following pictures and described in their captions when it’s time to repot your favorite potted roses – and keep your blooming beauties happy and healthy for another growing season!