Miniature Roses Care: 7 Tips for Growing Miniature Roses

Miniature rose bushes are small versions of hybrid tea roses. There are hundreds of miniature rose varieties that range in size from one to three feet. Like full-size roses, miniature roses are perennials and vary in color and scent. Miniature roses also come in different shapes, including as compact rose bushes, climbing roses, and cascading roses.

Due to their size, minis can grow outdoors in appropriate USDA Hardiness Zones or indoors as houseplants, as long as they receive sufficient sunlight. Mini roses, which you can find at garden centers and flower shops, are popular gifts during the holiday season or for occasions such as Valentine’s Day.

Miniature roses require the same care as full-size roses. Here are some tips to help keep your small rose plants healthy:

1. 1. Determine your Hardiness Zone. Miniature roses will grow in USDA Hardiness Zones 4–11. Miniature roses are hearty, but those growing in colder climates need extra mulch or protection in the winter, as their roots are closer to the surface versus those of larger roses.
2. 2. Find a sunny location. Rose plants need an area where they will receive about six to eight hours of sunlight. They can tolerate an area that is partially shaded, but the roses might not bloom as often. If you’re growing a miniature rose bush indoors, place the potted plant in a sunny spot.
3. 3. Use a pot with drainage holes. If you grow your miniature roses as container roses, select pots that are slightly larger than the miniature rose plant and that have large drainage holes.
4. 4. Select a quality soil. If you are planting the mini roses in the ground, use well-draining, loamy soil. You can add peat moss to keep the soil light, which can assist with root growth. If you are planting the miniatures in a pot, use indoor or outdoor potting soil designed for rose plants in containers. Prepare a hole that is a few inches wider than the plant. Loosen the root ball and plant the roses. Fill in the space with the proper soil, then top it with mulch to help protect the roots.
   
5. 5. Avoid overwatering. Roses need evenly moist soil. Overwatering can lead to root rot, and pale yellow leaves are a sign of too much water.
6. 6. Fertilize monthly. Miniature roses bloom continuously and use up more nutrients than full-size roses. Fertilize your mini roses monthly during the growing season from early spring to fall.
7. 7. Remove spent blooms. Prune miniature roses annually, but deadhead (remove the spent blossoms) weekly. Deadheading encourages new blossoms.

Miniature roses are hearty plants, but they are susceptible to the same pests as full-size roses. Here are three pests to be aware of if you’re growing mini roses:

• Aphids: These insects may be tiny, but they can damage rose bushes of all sizes. Check the underside of your miniature rose plant for aphids and treat them with neem oil or a soap mixture, or gently wipe them off the plant.
• Black spot: The fungus Diplocarpon rosae causes a black spot disease. To treat your plant, prune the affected branches. Place the rose bushes in full sun, as fungus needs moisture to grow.
• Powdery mildew: A powdery-looking layer on rose bushes is a fungus known as powdery mildew. If your miniature rose plant has signs of fungus, prune the affected leaves and treat them with a fungicide approved for rose bushes.

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