How to Grow and Care For Miniature Roses

Miniature roses are true roses that have been selectively bred to stay small in size. Most miniature roses have smaller flowers than standard rose bushes, but they come in the same variety of types and colors as their larger counterparts. You'll find miniature roses in popular varieties as regular roses, such as the Petite Knock Out rose and the floribunda rose cultivar, 'Midnight Fire'.

Despite their petite size, miniature roses are extremely hardy. They are more winter-hardy than most roses and tend to be profuse repeat bloomers, making them easy-growing roses. Minis planted in the spring grow moderately quickly to a mature height of one to two feet and work well in a border or as garden edging. These fragrant, thornless perennials are also especially nice as specimen plants in indoor or outdoor containers.

Miniature roses will need some extra overwinter care in colder regions, despite their hardy structures.

Miniature Rose Care

Here are the main care requirements for growing miniature roses:

• Plant miniature roses in the spring using rich, well-drained soil, and top with a layer of mulch.
• Position miniature roses in full sun, with at least six to eight hours of daily sunlight.
• Plant them in nutrient-rich garden soil, or if planting in patio containers, buy bags of lightweight potting soil. 
• Provide your miniature roses with one inch of water per week, generally. Watering needs will vary depending on your soil and weather. 
• Keep your miniature roses in moderate temperatures around 70°F; they cannot withstand cold temperatures below 32°F.
• Give miniature roses winter protection in USDA zones below 5.
• Fertilize your miniature roses regularly with any commercial rose food or general all-purpose fertilizer.

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Planting

Like full-size roses, the miniature variety is best planted in the spring. Wherever you’re planting them, carefully remove the rose plant from the pot and gently loosen its roots as the first step in your spring rose care routine. If the plant's roots are tightly bound, use a sharp knife to score the sides of the root ball and try to loosen the roots.

• Planting indoors: Place the rose bush in the center of the partially filled pot, top it with soil, and gently pat it down. Set in a location that receives six to eight hours of sun a day. 
• Planting outdoors in pots: When growing roses in pots, fill the pot about 2/3 full of prepared soil mix. Place the rose in the pot, fill around the plant with the potting soil, and press firmly around the roots.
• Planting in a garden: Dig a hole the same depth as the nursery pot where the miniature rose came from and about a foot wider. Add mulch to protect the roots from the cold and to retain moisture.
  

Light

Like all roses, the miniature varietals thrive in full sunlight. Though they can tolerate a bit of shade, oftentimes their foliage and flowers will become sparse in shady conditions. At least six to eight hours daily of sunlight should result in the best disease resistance and the most full, bloom-packed bush possible.

Soil

Roses prefer rich, well-drained, and loamy soil. If you are planting miniature roses in patio containers, use light, nutrient-rich potting soil as it drains well and helps plants avoid root rot.

Water

Water miniature roses deeply with one inch of water per week to promote good root development. Aim your hose at the base of the plant to avoid directly spraying the delicate blooms.

Miniature roses may require more frequent watering during extreme heat when compared to their full-sized cousins because of their smaller roots.

Temperature and Humidity

Miniature roses do well in moderate temperatures around 70°F. If you're expecting a drop in temperatures, bring container-planted bushes indoors. To successfully grow mini roses indoors, supplemental light and medium humidity are required.

Fertilizer

Roses are heavy feeders and miniature roses require fertilizing since they bloom all season. Use any commercial rose food or general all-purpose fertilizer, applied according to label instructions.

To keep your plant healthy, feed it when the bush first leafs out and again after each heavy flush of blooms. Cease feeding your roses about six to eight weeks before the first expected frost to discourage new growth that could be killed back during winter.

Types of Miniature Roses

Like types of full-sized roses, miniature roses come in hundreds of varietals. Primarily, they fall into the following categories:

• Climbers: Miniature roses with a vertical rambling growth habit are known as climbing roses. The 'Jeanne Lajoie' varietal can reach heights of more than seven feet and the 'Snowfall' varietal is a white ever-bloomer with canes that stretch between seven and 12 feet.
• Trailers: Miniature roses with a cascading growth habit are known as trailers. The 'Sequoia Gold' varietal is one of the best fragrant rose varieties with double flower blossoms. The 'Green Ice' varietal grows soft pinkish-apricot buds that open as cool light green to white.
• Shrubs: Knock Out roses are popular shrubs thanks to their disease resistance. Petite Knock Out rose shrubs grow 18 inches tall.
• Micro-mini: This varietal is the smallest of the miniature roses, growing only six to 12 inches tall, with proportional tiny one-inch blossoms. 'Bambino' has vibrant orange blossoms on an eight to 12-inch plant, while 'Chasin' Rainbows' has yellow flowers edged in scarlet.

How to Propagate Miniature Roses

Propagate miniature roses in the spring or fall with stem cuttings, as you would regular roses. Propagating roses by seeds requires patience and is generally not recommended. Take these steps with stem cuttings.

1. Start by taking a five to nine-inch segment of a newly blooming stem, and cutting it from the plant at a 45° angle.
2. Remove bottom leaves.
3. Slice the bottom of the stem 1/4 inch up to split it apart and dip it in rooting hormone.
4. Plant in rose potting mix and water the pot.
5. Place plastic wrap over the pot to retain moisture, and put it under grow lights or a window with bright light.
6. Watch for roots in a couple of weeks.

Pruning Miniature Roses

As with other roses, you'll want to prune miniature roses just before their new growth starts in late winter or early spring. Hard pruning is not necessary—simply prune dead or broken wood first, then trim back about a third of the plant to maintain its shape and encourage new growth.

If you want to shape the bush and encourage growth, cut a branch back to the outermost bud eye at a 45° angle to the bush. Cut 1/4 inch above the bud eye.

Overwintering

Miniature roses will generally stop blooming once the temperatures go below 50°F. This plant cannot withstand cold temperatures below 32°F. Here's how to protect miniature roses in the ground or pots.

Overwintering in the Ground

Collaring is the easiest method of overwintering any rose bush.

• Remove the leaves (but not the hips) from the rose bush.
• Tie the bush up with twine and surround the bush with a wire hoop or cone to form a "collar."
• Fill the collar or cone with fallen dry leaves to help insulate the branches.
• Wrap the entire bush with a layer of burlap, as well.
• Cover the root zone and crown of the plant with additional soil, mulch, or straw to insulate the roots and protect them from heavy snow or ice.

Overwintering Potted Mini Roses

Move potted mini roses indoors before the winter's first freeze. Ideally, keep the roses in an unheated garage that keeps to around 40°F to allow the plant to go dormant.

Common Pests & Plant Diseases

Miniature roses are subject to the same problems as larger roses, including black spot, a fungal disease. Powdery mildew can also be an issue. To avoid both of these afflictions, improve the air circulation around your roses by planting each bush a few feet apart and watering the plant from the base of the roots instead of overhead.

As with other roses, systemic rose-care products can also help prevent diseases and discourage pests. Always remove diseased debris and dispose of it to prevent reinfection, and keep an eye out for early signs of insect damage, specifically from Japanese beetles, thrips, mites, or chafers. Treat any sign of infection swiftly with an insecticide.

How to Get Miniature Roses to Bloom

Bloom Months

Miniature roses typically bloom from midspring through early fall, often between April and September. If the conditions are right, you’ll be rewarded with colorful, lightly fragrant flowers that bloom continuously for two to three weeks. Since miniature roses are perennials, they will rebloom every year with proper care (though, some will bloom year-round with the proper conditions).

What Do Miniature Roses Look and Smell Like?

As their name suggests, miniature roses are a smaller (yet just as fragrant) version of their full-sized cousins. With a light, lovely scent, miniature roses come in a variety of colors, including pink, red, yellow, and white. Miniature roses grow up to a height of one to three feet, and a width of up to two feet.

How to Encourage More Blooms

As you are preparing for rose blooms, be sure to plant them in an area where they’ll receive six to eight hours of sunlight a day to set them up for success. Use well-draining, loamy soil and fertilize your miniature roses monthly during the growing season of early spring to fall. (A soil mixture high in organic nutrients is a bonus.)

Deadheading Miniature Rose Flowers

Deadheading (removing the faded flowers) once a week promotes new growth and additional blooms. Cut off the finished flower just below where the base of the flower joins the stem.

If you have a continually blooming varietal (like 'Fairy Moss' and 'Lemon Drift'), coax repeat blooms by deadheading faded blooms before they go to hip. Preventing hips from forming will keep the plant from entering dormancy.

Common Problems With Miniature Roses

While relatively easy to care for, miniature roses are susceptible to the same issues as full-size roses. Watch for these common problems.

Leaves With Black Spots

Black spots appearing on roses and leaves indicate a fungal disease. Warm, wet, or humid weather plays a big part in its development. Spray with Bordeaux mixture, neem oil, or sulfur. Make sure your miniature rose bushes receive full sun, plenty of water, and good air circulation.

Infestation of Japanese Beetles

Japanese beetles are particularly attracted to rose bushes. The beetles will quickly feed on the leaves and cause a great deal of damage. The best (and most tedious) way to get rid of Japanese beetles is to handpick and drop them into a bucket of soapy water.

Buds Won’t Open

Buds will not bloom properly if miniature roses are not getting six to eight hours of direct sunlight a day.