Planting in containers also offers you more control of moisture levels,soil, and exposure to sunlight.

Here’s how to grow roses in pots successfully.

Choosing the Right Roses

Not all roses will work well when planted in pots.

Orange-red roses growing in pot with white watering can pouring water on top

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

Many experts recommend a pot no less than 15 inches in diameter.

Roses send down deep roots, so the taller the container, the better.

see to it the pots have ample drainage holes in the bottom.

Materials and tools to grow roses in pots

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

Add a cup of perlite to enhance drainage.

Add 1 cup of bonemeal to the soil mixture.

Plant the Rose

Fill the pot about two-thirds full of prepared soil mix.

Large clay pot with medium-sized gray rocks placed on bottom for drainage

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

Loosen the roots if the plant is root bound.

Fill in around the rose using the remaining potting soil, pressing it down firmly around the roots.

Place your potted roses in a location that gets at least seven hours of direct sun each day.

Potting soil mixture placed in large clay pot with small handheld shovel

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

After planting, keep an eye on your roses so you know when to water.

A good general rule of thumb is to water when the top inch of the soil surface feels dry.

Step fertilizing before winter arrives.

Potted rose bush with orange-red flowers placed into large clay pot

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

You should stop fertilizing about eights weeks before the expected first winter frost.

This will prevent the plant from developing tender young shoots that will be destroyed by the frost.

Using freshly prepared potting soileach time you repotwill keep the nutrient levels at an acceptable level.

Water poured from white watering can into recently potted rose bush

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

Over time, salts and minerals from fertilizers can also accumulate in the soil.

This can potentially damage the rose, but changing the soil regularly should prevent that.

Exhausted potting soil can be added to the compost bin.

Applying granular fertilizer to the base of the plant

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For example, if you are in zone 6, grow potted roses rated for zone 4.

Aphids: The most common insect that you will find on your roses is the aphid.

Aphids usually congregate on the buds and leaves where they suck out juices, making the affected parts wither.

Freshly prepared potting soil covering repotted rose bush

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

When you first spot aphids, use a hose to spray them off the plant.

Fungal Disease: Potted roses are susceptible to a variety of fungal diseases, including powdery mildew andblack spot.

Don’t put used coffee grounds directly on or around your rose plants.

Rose bush lifted to insert mulch at the base to protect from freezing temperatures

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong

Prune your rose plantin late winter or early spring, just before it begins to actively grow again.

Prune canes at a 45 angle for vigorous growth and plant health.

Rose bush leaves with powdery mildew disease held up with gloves

The Spruce / Phoebe Cheong