Can I Grow Roses Indoors?

Last Updated on April 18, 2022 by Marco C.

Roses, regardless of the specific variety, are arguably the most popular flowers on Earth, with many asking ‘Can I grow roses indoors?’. Since not all of us live in houses with yards, it would be a shame if people who live in apartments couldn’t enjoy the beauty and the scent of these flowers.

In today’s article, we’ll be learning how to grow roses in closed spaces.

Planting Roses Indoors

Two things you have to keep in mind are timing and variety. Variety is important because of space – many varieties of roses can reach incredible sizes, and if you live in a small apartment, you definitely won’t be able to fit them inside.

Most people who live in closed spaces opt for varieties of roses that will be rather small when they reach their full size. This doesn’t have to be you, though, especially if you have plenty of room in your apartment or your office. Some people successfully grow larger varieties in small spaces.

Unfortunately, unlike most plants, roses don’t do that well with artificial lighting. LED lighting has proven to be a successful replacement for sunlight with many species, but most rose varieties need natural light. Finding a variety of roses that are actually going to thrive under artificial light is very difficult.

So, if you don’t have plenty of sunlight – your space isn’t going to allow your rose to thrive.

When it comes to timing, which we previously mentioned, it’d be best to plant your roses in the first months of the year – preferably January.

When planting, use a container deep enough that’s also going to drain the soil well – the soil is as important as the container, though. Different varieties of the rose require different nutrients in the soil – you’re going to have to check those requirements with your rose provider.

Choosing the variety isn’t that difficult – most shops keep all the necessary requirements written on the box and you also have an image of what the plant will look like once it matures. Choose the rose you like, but make sure it’s a rose you can care for.

Indoor Rose Care

Aside from sunlight, you’re also going to have to keep humidity, temperature, water, and fertilization in mind. Roses need high levels of humidity to really thrive, so you should feel free to use pebbles to provide them with that.

When it comes to the temperature, it should never drop 65 degrees Fahrenheit – your rose will die if it does.

Watering is simple – water your roses often. The exact number of days depends on the kind of soil and the container you’re using – if the soil dries out completely after a day, then you should water your roses every day. The soil should never be 100% dry, but it has to be rough to the touch, definitely not moist.

Indoor Rose Care

Learn more about: How Long Does Rose Last?

Fertilization should also be regular – at least once a month.

Possible Transplantation

People often wonder what’s going to happen to their plants if they move to a house with a yard – the answer is nothing, you’ll just replant them in your yard. The biggest difference between indoor and outdoor care is that you can’t control the weather.

So, if the temperature drops suddenly for more than a day – it could seriously harm the roses. This is something that you can easily control indoors. You can also move them outside without actually replanting them – just take the containers out.

This is actually the best solution since you can easily move them back in whenever you feel like it. Repotting is, unfortunately, a nuisance with roses (and all other plants that grow to great sizes).

You’ll need to repot your plants every once in a while. The only gardeners that don’t need to repot roses are the gardeners who planted them in the ground, instead of using containers.

Another important thing to keep in mind is diseases – miniature roses are more prone to some illnesses, such as the blackspot than normal roses. When you take them outside, they could develop blackspots if the level of humidity is too high.

Regarding pests, roses are prone to spider mites, and this is actually more common with indoor roses than outdoor roses. This is because spiders, clearly, can’t survive the winter outside. Spider mites aren’t dangerous for humans, but they will eat your plants until they kill them.

They thrive in low-humidity environments, so you don’t want to keep your humidity levels too low either.


Read more about: How Far Apart Do You Plant Roses?

FAQ

How do you keep roses alive indoors?

The humidity should be a bit high, but not too high. The temperature can't ever drop below 65 degrees Fahrenheit, and they need to get plenty of sunlight consistently. Roses usually don't do well with artificial lighting.

Can roses be grown in pots indoors?

Yes, roses do well in pots. However, since many varieties grow to great sizes, you're going to need to repot them every year or two (depending on the specific variety). If you don't have plenty of room, make sure to get a small variety of rose.

How long do indoor rose plants last?

If you do your job right, a rose can live for up to a decade - some roses exceed that, but they get incredible care and it's likely that you won't be able to accommodate the plant like that.

How often should I water my indoor roses?

They'll probably need watering on a daily or bi-daily basis - it depends on the temperature, sun exposure and the level of humidity. You don't want to overwater your rose and drown it, but it can't dry out completely either. Make sure that the soil isn't completely dry, but it shouldn't be moist either.

To End

Roses are definitely capable of growing indoors, and as long as you provide them with enough light, water, and a high enough temperature – you’re going to grow your own roses. The biggest problem is the lighting – roses need natural, not artificial lighting.

However, except for that, they’re not that needy, and taking care of them is very simple.

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