When you choose to grow roses, you likely imagine beautiful, healthy blooms in hues ranging from red, magenta, and pink to yellow and white. Weather, soil, and watering all play a role in how well roses grow. Watering frequency isn’t one size fits all. Figuring out how often to water your roses, depends on many factors, including the type of soil, planting location, and your geographical location. 

Curious how to water your roses correctly? Read this guide on how often to water roses, factors that influence watering, including new plants or established plants, planting directly in the ground or in containers, along with watering tips. We spoke with two gardening experts for advice.

Factors That Determine Watering Frequency

Growing conditions for roses can vary from state to state, and even city to city, thanks to microclimates. The US Hardiness plant zone provides information so you know the types of plants that grow well in your geographical regions. The soil type, such as loamy, sandy, or clay, also play a role in how often you need to water, as does where you plant your roses. “Watering frequency will depend on several factors such as weather, soil type, and the age of the planting,” says Stephanie Turner, Clemson Extension Horticulture Agent and Master Gardener Coordinator for Greenwood County in South Carolina. 

Here are a few factors that determine how often to water your roses. 

Soil Type

The soil type is an essential component that helps determine the watering frequency for roses because some soils, such as clay, retain more water than others. “Sandy soils require more frequent irrigation than clay soils,” says Turner. “Roses prefer loose, well-drained soils.” An easy way to improve your soil is by adding mulch. This increases nutrients and helps the soil maintain and retain moisture. “Over time the soil organisms will break down and incorporate organic mulches and improve the soil,” she says. “Meanwhile, the mulch will retain moisture, control weeds, and insulate the root zone.”

Climate

“The weather plays a big role in how often you will water your roses,” says Stephanie Waltz, Rose Trial Coordinator at Star® Roses and Plants. The warmer the weather, the more water roses usually need. Soil moisture dries out faster in hotter climates than cooler ones. “Newly planted roses dealing with hot, drought weather will need the most attention,” says Turner.

Planting Location

Choosing to grow roses directly in the ground or in a container may be based on space availability or what area receives the most sun. Roses grown directly in the ground usually need to be watered less frequently because more moisture is retained in the soil. Plus, deeper roots can reach further down into the soil. “Any time you garden in containers you need to check moisture levels more frequently,” says Turner. “Limited soil volume in the container also limits the available space for water.”

How Often To Water Roses

A newly planted rose and an established rose will determine watering frequency. A recently planted rose will need more water and can be more sensitive as it adjusts to its new home. “Newly planted roses are going to require frequent watering until they are more established,” says Waltz. “This could be every day, up to every 2 to 3 days, depending on the weather conditions.” Check on them daily for the first couple of months, she adds. 

Once roses are more established, they can manage with less water. “A good rule of thumb is to make sure that your roses are receiving 1 to 2 inches of water per week during the growing season,” says Waltz. If you’re not sure how much it’s rained or if your roses need water, the soil moisture can offer insight. “Checking the soil and the overall look of your rose can be a good indicator of when you need to water,” says Waltz. Check soil moisture by inserting your finger about an inch into the soil, she says. If it’s dry, it’s time to water. 

Waltz recommends watering deeper and less often. “Established plants are much more drought tolerant and can go much longer between watering,” says Waltz. The time of year is also key. Roses need less water during the colder months. “When plants go dormant in the winter, their needs go down dramatically,” says Waltz.   

Watering Roses In Containers

Roses grown in containers need to be watered more often because there is less soil available and moisture dries out faster. “Containerized roses will dry down much more quickly as the roots and soil tend to get much warmer,” says Waltz, “And therefore dry down faster in a pot.” The type of container, such as a plastic or ceramic pot, will also make a difference on if you need to water more. Porous pots will retain less water and moisture. “Unglazed clay containers lose moisture through the pores in the clay and need to be more frequent,” says Turner.

Watering Roses Directly In The Ground

Roses grown directly in the ground typically need to be watered less because they have deeper roots and can access water further into the soil. “In-ground roses generally have a more extensive root system,” says Waltz. She adds the soil is cooler where the roots are. Established roses can withstand drought-like conditions, she says. 

Signs Of Overwatering And Underwatering

Checking the soil is key to knowing if your roses need more water. There can be times when roses can receive too little or too much water. Roses will give off signs when something is amiss. “Roses getting too much water may have widespread yellowing of the leaves,” says Waltz, “and you may notice mold or algae growing on the soil surface.” 

Not providing sufficient water to your roses is equally problematic. “Under-watered roses may have drooping or dry, crispy leaves and the soil will be overly dry around it,” says Waltz. And roses that don’t receive the amounts they need—whether too much or too little—can experience stunted growth, she adds.

How To Correctly Water Roses

Once you know how often to water roses, there are a few considerations for thriving plants that are free from fungal diseases. 

Water At The Base

Water where the stem meets the soil. “Try to only water the base of your plant and not the leaves,” says Waltz. “This will help prevent disease.” Consider installing a d drip irrigation system because it allows you to choose exactly where water goes. “Drip irrigation is best,” says Turner. “You can conserve water by placing emitters precisely in the root zone of each plant.”

Avoid Overhead Sprinklers

Sprinklers are convenient but could lead to issues, such as fungal diseases. “Overhead watering with sprinklers or spray heads causes repeated wetting of the leaves,” says Turner. Wet leaves can lead to fungal pathogens, such as black spot and rust, she says. If you can’t avoid using overhead watering, Turner suggests watering in the morning so leaves have time to dry out. 

Water In The Morning

The time of day also makes a difference for your roses. “Morning is the best time to water,” says Waltz. Wet leaves can be susceptible to diseases. “This gives the leaves a chance to dry off before the end of the day, which helps prevent fungal diseases,” she says. 

Add Mulch

Mulch protects and retains moisture in the soil and can reduce how often you need to water, especially during the hotter months. “A few inches of mulch can go a long way in bringing water needs down,” says Waltz. Make sure the mulch doesn’t touch the plant. “It is important to leave a few-inch diameter circle around the base of the plant mulch free,” she says. “This helps prevent rot and disease at the base of the rose while promoting air circulation.”