How Often to Water Roses for Healthy, Prolific Blooms Every Year

Roses are one of the best-known and beloved plants in the world. Grown for their showy, fragrant blooms, these plants add charm to any area of the garden. The only downside? Roses can sometimes be challenging to grow, which is especially true if their watering needs aren't being met.

Roses need consistently moist, but not waterlogged, soil in order to thrive. Too much water may result in reduced flowering, wilted foliage, and disease. To ensure your roses stay prolific all season long, we spoke to rosarians who shared their tips for watering.

When to Water Roses

The best time to water roses is in the morning, as the sunlight and wind help to dry off the foliage. "Water sitting on leaves for six or more hours may lead to fungal diseases," says Diane Sommers, immediate past president of the American Rose Society. The only exception to this is in desert climates where watering is often done in the evening, as moisture evaporates too quickly during the day. "Unless you live in a desert climate, you should not water roses in the evening, as there is a good chance that water will stay on the leaves for many hours, increasing the opportunity for diseases such as blackspot," Sommers adds.

How Often to Water Roses

Generally, established roses need 1 to 2 inches of water a week during the growing season. "Newly planted roses in the ground should be watered every two to three days for the first few weeks, gradually reducing frequency as the roots become established," says Wes Harvell, rosarian for Jackson & Perkins.

He adds that container-grown roses dry out much faster than those planted in the ground and need more frequent watering. Generally, roses in containers should be watered daily during hot weather and every two to three days during cooler weather. The goal, whether you're growing in-ground or potted roses, is to keep the soil consistently moist, but not waterlogged.

Don't Miss

How to Grow and Care for Knock Out Roses—the Easiest Bush to Plant in Your Garden

11 Fast-Growing Climbing Roses for a Lush, Cottage-Garden Look

Factors to Consider

While roses need a certain amount of water per week in order to thrive, how often you water them varies depending on several factors. Here are some things our rose experts say to consider when watering your rose bushes.

Sunlight

Roses generally need six hours of full sun to be their best, meaning the soil surrounding the bush may dry out quickly. "Roses in full sun will dry out faster and need more water, while partial shade reduces water needs slightly, but too much shade affects blooming," says Harvell.

Soil

The type of soil you have will largely dictate how often your roses need water. "The frequency of watering roses must be increased in sandy soils, as loose, sandy soil cannot retain moisture as well as clay or clay loam soils," says Marilyn Wellan, past president of the American Rose Society. "Alternately, heavy clay soil holds onto water, and has the potential for roots to be adversely affected."

Temperature

Increased temperatures (around 80 degrees Fahrenheit and higher) typically mean your roses will need more water. "The frequency of watering roses in winter and early spring is not as great as in the summer months when the sun is the highest in the sky and the temperatures are greater," says Wellan. However, you will likely need to water less on hot, humid days than you do on hot, dry ones. "Humidity hangs in the air as moisture for roses and slows down transpiration," Wellan notes, adding that humidity can lead to fungal diseases.

Age and Variety

Newly planted roses need frequent watering to establish roots, while established roses can tolerate more time between deep waterings, says Harvell. He adds that the variety of roses you're growing also plays a role in watering frequency. "Hybrid teas and large-flowered roses tend to need more water than smaller or shrub varieties. Old garden roses and some shrub roses may be more drought-tolerant," he says.

Mulch

Mulch improves the visual aesthetic of your garden, but it can also reduce your plants' watering needs. "Mulch will help limit the evaporation of water from the soil and protect the roots from heat," says Wellan. "Mulch can also minimize soil fungi from splashing on the leaves. As mulch breaks down, it benefits soil organisms that are hard at work to ensure the plant is absorbing nutrients."

How to Water Roses

Experts agree—the best way to water roses is a timed irrigation system. "Use a soaker hose or drip irrigation to slowly release water directly into the soil, allowing it to soak deeply and preventing splashing on leaves, which helps avoid fungal diseases," says Harvell. "Ensure water reaches 12 to 18 inches to encourage deep, healthy roots and improve drought resistance." That said, hand-watering is also effective, just avoid getting the leaves and blooms wet, as this can cause fungal diseases.

Signs of Overwatering

Overwatering your roses may result in yellow leaves, wilting, mushy or blackened roots, leaf drop, slow growth, lack of blooms, and fungal diseases. "If any of these signs are spotted, check the soil moisture and adjust watering accordingly, improve drainage by amending the soil or raising the bed, and remove mulch temporarily if it’s holding in too much water," says Harvell.

Signs of Underwatering

Underwatering roses will result in dried leaves that eventually fall off the plant. "In extreme heat, such as in the desert, the leaves may look burned," says Sommers. "Rosarians in desert climates often use garden cloths over their roses to diffuse the sunlight." Other signs of underwatering include slow growth, bud drop, cracked or hard soil, and curling or pale leaves, Harvell adds. "If your roses are showing these signs, water deeply at the base of the plant, add or refresh mulch to help retain soil moisture, and stick to a consistent watering schedule, especially in hot weather," he says.

Rose Watering Tips

Keep these rose watering tips in mind for healthier, more abundant bushes.

• Water at the base: Always water around the soil, avoiding getting the leaves and flowers wet, which could lead to diseases like black spot and mildew, says Harvell.
• Water deeply: Watering plants deeply and less often is better than watering shallowly and more frequently. "Aim for deep watering to encourage deep root growth. Avoid shallow, frequent watering, as it leads to weak, surface-level roots," says Harvell.
• Check potted roses often: Check the moisture levels of your potted roses daily, as containers dry out fast, says Wellan. "Ensure pots have good drainage to prevent root rot," she adds. 
• Water in the morning: Early morning watering reduces evaporation and gives leaves time to dry if they get wet, says Harvell, adding that you should avoid evening watering, which can promote fungal diseases overnight.
• Add mulch: Add 2 to 3 inches of organic mulch around the base to retain moisture, reduce evaporation, and suppress weeds, recommends Harvell.
• Check the soil: Always check the top few inches of soil before watering to see if it's moist. If the soil feels dry to the touch, your roses need water.