Watering roses: expert tips for watering roses in pots & beds

In order for your roses to bloom properly, they need to be watered regularly. Here you can learn how often and how much you should be watering your roses.

Roses (Rosa) cope very poorly with drought. However, permanently wet soil is not particularly pleasant for potted roses because waterlogging can promote the development of root rot and fungal diseases. Therefore, optimal watering is very important for abundant flowering. In this article, we explain how best to proceed when watering your roses.

Finding the right amount to water roses is not so easy. Below, we have summarised for you when, how often and how much you should water roses.

When and how often to water roses?

Regular watering is essential, especially for young and freshly planted rose plants. However, on hot summer days and windy autumn days, watering older plants may also be necessary. The best way to recognise the right time for watering is with the help of a finger test. The soil should always be moist, but not wet – and in the best case it should not even get to the point where the plant’s leaves begin to droop. By the way, the optimal time of day for watering is early morning. At this time, hardly any water is lost through evaporation.

How much should you water roses?

A rose plant can easily tolerate a decent watering can full of water. It is best to water close to the ground and with a watering attachment so that the water is evenly distributed and not too much soil is washed away. If possible, foliage and flowers should not come into contact with the water because this can promote the development of fungal infections. An airy location also ensures that rainwater or irrigation water can dry off more quickly.

Here is a brief summary for you once again:

• Select an airy location
• Water early in the morning
• Do not wet foliage and flowers with water if possible
• Regularly water young rose plants
• Soil from older plants should always be moist

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Watering roses in a pot and container

Of course, potted roses need more water than planted specimens due to their smaller root mass. Therefore, when the substrate has dried out on the surface, it is high time to water again. However, your rose should never be submerged in water because potted specimens do not tolerate waterlogging well at all. It is best to install a drainage layer of gravel or expanded clay at the time of planting so that excess water can drain away.

The most important points are summarised here for you once again:

• Potted roses need a relatively large amount of water
• Only water when the substrate has dried out on the surface
• Create a drainage layer to avoid waterlogging

Expert tip: if the soil of your potted rose is already so dried out that the watering water simply runs through because of the drainage, you can also add the water through the saucer or carefully place the plant in a bucket of water and immerse until the pot ball is soaked. Flowers and leaves should not come into contact with the water if possible.

For more information on cultivating roses in pots, see our special article here.