Can I Grow Roses Indoors?

Written by Heather Hall
Updated: August 22, 2023
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A rose is a flowering shrub belonging to the genus Rosa. It is native to temperate climates but can be grown in many different environments. Roses are some of the most popular flowers in the world and come in many varieties with different colors, sizes, scents, and blooming times. Their popularity is due to their beauty and versatility.

They can be used for bouquets, as decorations for outdoor gardens, or indoors on windowsills or pots. They also have multiple uses, such as making essential oils or being used in teas and medicinal remedies. Many people do not have outdoor gardens and would like to grow roses indoors. Here is everything you need to know about growing roses inside the house.

desert rose bonsai tree in bloom

Your desert rose Bonsai tree will likely grow best indoors.

©Mirian Goulart Nogueira/Shutterstock.com

Growing Roses Indoors

If you are a fan of roses, then you will be delighted to know that it is possible to enjoy them indoors all year round, regardless of the weather outside. Rosarians, or rose enthusiasts, are discovering new ways to cultivate their beloved blooms indoors.

Winter is the ideal season to begin your indoor rose garden, as plants are in the process of lying dormant, and bare-root plants are abundantly available. If you want these beautiful blossoms inside your home this winter, check out the following tips to help you get started.

Indoor Roses

Roses growing in a pot on a windowsill.

©Jurga Jot/Shutterstock.com

Choose the Correct Variety

In the past, miniature roses have been the go-to variety for indoor cultivation. However, any type of rose can be grown indoors if the environment is suitable. Most roses need to be kept in a sunny spot or a window, but nearly all varieties will do well with artificial lighting.

Miniature roses require more light than other species, so only choose them if you have plenty of direct sunlight or grow lights. Otherwise, opt for a species that is tolerant of partial shade. With enough vertical space, you can also grow climbing roses to create a dramatic look. Smaller climbing roses can be planted together in one pot for a vibrant display.

White and fuchsia miniature roses growing out of a pot

In the past,

miniature roses

have been the go-to variety for indoor cultivation.

©iStock.com/OlgaKorica

Choose the Correct Conditions

For a successful indoor rose garden, plant in January or February when the plants are not actively growing. Use a deep container that is roughly the same width as the future canopy of the plant, and make sure it has good drainage.

Get a soil mix with all the necessary nutrients and drainage material suitable for your selected rose. Most potting soil mixes can work, but experts recommend peaty soil for its drainage capabilities. If you are using standard potting soil, mix in around one-third of perlite or vermiculite to keep the soil porous.

When selecting a spot for your roses, the best place is a south-facing window allowing six to eight hours of sunlight. If your home is not naturally humid, you may want to put the pot in a tray of pebbles or place it next to a humidifier. To promote the healthy growth of your roses, maintain temperatures in the 70s during the day and 60s at night.

Planting Roses

Use a deep container that is roughly the same width as the future canopy of the plant, and make sure it has good drainage.

©Meteoritka/Shutterstock.com

Choose the Correct Care

Make sure to supply your roses with a consistent amount of water, either daily or every other day, depending on the soil’s ability to hold moisture. Additionally, remember to fertilize them once a month with water-soluble rose plant food.

Cut off wilted blooms with pruning shears or scissors to ensure new flowers will grow. Prune away any dead branches and those that cross each other. Change the potting soil once yearly to replace lost nutrients. If you see yellow leaves, this could indicate inadequate sunlight, humidity, or insufficient water.

Pruning Roses

Cut off wilted blooms with pruning shears or scissors to ensure new flowers will grow.

©OlgaPonomarenko/Shutterstock.com

Types of Roses to Grow Indoors

Various rose cultivars have been specially developed to thrive in partially shady environments, making them ideal for indoor gardens. These roses will still need some direct sunlight each day (about 6 hours), but they can handle the lower light levels indoors much better than their outdoor counterparts. Here are a few of our favorite types of roses to grow indoors:

Rainbow Sunblaze

This miniature rose, Rainbow Sunblaze®, produces many bright yellow blooms with a reddish-orange margin on the outer petals from late spring to late fall. Its petals are small yet numerous, and the shrub has a thick, bushy growth pattern with good disease resistance. It is easy to cultivate and is suitable for both inexperienced growers and gardens with limited space, as well as for planting in containers.

Rainbow Sunblaze Rose

It is easy to cultivate and is suitable for both inexperienced growers and gardens with limited space.

©1,000 × 667 pixels, file size: 130 KB, MIME type: image/jpeg – License

Veterans’ Honor

The Veterans’ Honor, a hybrid tea rose, produces continuous flushes of vibrant red double blooms with 30 petals each and a light raspberry scent. The petite blooms have a high-centered shape, are great for cutting, and will stay fresh for 10-14 days if placed in a vase. The medium to tall bush has an upright structure that looks attractive when planted alone – making it an ideal choice for indoor potted plants.

Veterans Honor Rose

This is an an ideal choice for indoor potted plants.

©Arkela/Shutterstock.com

Cecile Brunner

Cécile Brunner is a climbing hybrid tea rose that has been a beloved flower for generations. These blooms are perfect for any space with their delightful scent, delicate shape, and strong stems. Cécile Brunner is the perfect choice for a cheerful indoor and outdoor, floral display.

This rose thrives in partial shade, making it a good choice for a vertical indoor garden. It has two-inch, double flowers with a soft pink exterior and a deeper pink center. It has a sweet, long-lasting aroma that is not overwhelming. This type of rose blooms for an extended period, providing the owner with an abundance of miniature blossoms for many weeks.

Cecile Brunner

Cécile Brunner is a climbing hybrid tea rose that has been a beloved flower for generations.

©J Elliot/Shutterstock.com

Golden Celebration

The Golden Celebration rose is an excellent choice for indoor gardens. Its beautiful deep golden-yellow petals and up to 75 per bloom make it a stunning addition to any room. Not only is the color of the flower attractive, but its strong fragrance fills the air with a pleasant aroma.

Its round growth habit makes it ideal for both indoors and on patios, as it blooms frequently throughout the year. The dark green foliage provides a lovely contrast that further enhances its beauty. If you’re looking for an easy way to bring life into your home, this rose variety would be perfect!

Golden Celebration Rose

If you’re looking for an easy way to bring life into your home, this rose variety would be perfect!

©Sergey V Kalyakin/Shutterstock.com

Celestial Night

Celestial Night is an outstanding rose for indoor cultivation, as it can withstand disease and bloom continuously with minimal care. It has a beautiful purple hue that makes it stand out from other roses, and its blooms are deliciously fragrant. With proper pruning and deadheading, this variety will remain in full bloom all season long. Its striking petals make an eye-catching display, whether planted in the ground or displayed in a vase. For gardeners looking to add some celestial beauty to their homes, Celestial Night is a perfect choice!

Closeup of a purple rose

The Celestial Night rose has a beautiful

purple

hue that makes it stand out from other roses, much like the one pictured here.

©iStock.com/danderson107

Peach Drift

The Peach Drift rose is the perfect option for growing roses indoors. This ground cover rose grows to a maximum height of 18 inches and produces soft, double blooms in shades of peach. The bloom season can last from spring until fall, so you get plenty of color throughout the year!

Not only do these flowers look beautiful when they open up – their dark green foliage adds an extra touch of beauty when cascading over any indoor or outdoor planter. With 35 petals per flower and lush foliage, this low-maintenance plant will make a stunning addition to your home’s interior or exterior decor.

Peach Drift Rose

The Peach Drift rose is the perfect option for growing roses indoors.

©Zandria Mazzaferro/Shutterstock.com

The photo featured at the top of this post is © Natalja Petuhova/Shutterstock.com


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About the Author

Heather Hall is a writer at A-Z Animals, where her primary focus is on plants and animals. Heather has been writing and editing since 2012 and holds a Bachelor of Science in Horticulture. As a resident of the Pacific Northwest, Heather enjoys hiking, gardening, and trail running through the mountains with her dogs.

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