Whilst roses are traditionally grown in the ground, a lot of newer varieties of roses are also suitable for being grown in a pot. This is a great option for gardeners with smaller outdoor spaces or those who want to add an extra layer of interest to their garden or patio area.
Which roses can I grow in a pot?
Contrary to popular belief, a lot of roses will grow well in a pot or container, as long as the pot is big enough, has proper drainage, and the rose is cared for correctly.
As a general rule of thumb, roses that grow to greater heights such as climbing and rambling roses won’t grow so well in a pot, but even with this there are exceptions. On the other hand, patio roses are known to have a more compact growing habit, which makes them perfect for growing in a pot on a patio, as the name suggests.
If you are looking for a particular rose, look out for the pot symbol in our catalogue or check the rose’s specifications on our website to see where it will grow best.
Or if you would like to browse, you can shop the collection here.
What size pot is suitable for a rose?
Making sure you have a big enough pot to plant your rose in is crucial for making sure it stays happy and healthy. Our Rosarians recommend buying a pot that is at least 45cm in diameter and depth to allow the roots enough room to spread and stabilise the rose.
What type of pot can I plant a rose in?
When selecting a pot, you need to bear in mind that certain materials, such as unglazed terracotta, naturally absorb water, leaving less for the rose, so roses in these pots will require a lot more water. Similarly, darker coloured pots, such as black or grey, absorb more heat if they’re positioned in the sun, so these pots will also need watering more frequently.
Additionally, it is crucial to make sure the pot has plenty of drainage holes in the bottom to prevent the soil from getting waterlogged and rotting the roots. If you are buying a plastic pot and it doesn’t have holes in the bottom, you can drill them yourself; some suppliers even mark out the spaces for you to drill the holes.
How to plant a rose in a pot
When planting a rose in a pot, you can follow the same steps as planting a rose in the ground; you just need to make sure you fill the pot with a good multi-purpose compost or John Innes No.3 to give your rose plenty of nutrient-rich soil. Just make sure you don’t fill the pot right to the top, so that the water can soak into the pot, rather than spilling over the sides and being wasted.
Rosarian Top Tip: When planting your rose in a pot, our Rosarians recommend spreading a layer of broken crockery or even cut-up plastic milk bottles in the bottom of the pot before you fill it with compost. This helps the water drain out more slowly, which gives the rose more time to absorb it.
To find out more about planting a rose, click here.
How much water do roses in pots need?
Roses that are being grown in pots require more water than roses planted in the ground, because the water drains out of the soil at a faster rate.
Our Rosarians recommend watering roses in pots every day during the warmer months to prevent them from drying out, even if there has been some light rain, as the rose’s leaves can block the rainwater from reaching the soil when they are planted in a pot.
Do roses in pots need feeding?
Roses that are being grown in a pot need feeding on a regular basis throughout the plant’s growing season to give them enough nutrients to keep growing, fighting off diseases, and producing plenty of flowers. This is especially important for potted roses, as they have a much more limited area of soil to derive nutrients from.
Our Rosarians recommend feeding your roses with a slow-release fertiliser such as Top Rose in March and then again after the first flush of flowers has gone over in July. Then, in between this, you can give them an extra boost by using a liquid feed once a fortnight, such as Tomorite or Uncle Tom’s Rose Tonic.
To find out more about feeding your roses, click here to read our Rosarian’s guide.
Need some advice on growing roses in a pot?