What to do to bring rose bushes inside during the winter?

Terry
by Terry
I have a couple rose bushes spotted in large pots and I would like to bring them in during the winter. What do I do in order to do this?
  13 answers
  • Janet Fletcher Janet Fletcher on Oct 31, 2016
    Most rose bushes go dormant during the winter months. You could probably leave the outside and water them occasionally.
  • Rachel Donald Robinson Rachel Donald Robinson on Oct 31, 2016
    I've brought my minny roses in when it's really cold. I've set them in a west window,& only water,very sparingly. I do feed them,when needed,there not inside yet. I hope this help.
  • Kim Winkler Kim Winkler on Oct 31, 2016
    I have roses in pots, but I have never brought them in. Granted, we do not live where it snows or anything like that, but as the first person wrote, roses go dormant in the cold. Trim them up, put them where they will get regular water, and let nature take its course. Once the war weather sets in again, the budding will begin anew.
  • Jan Howell Johnson Jan Howell Johnson on Oct 31, 2016
    If this is a picture of your roses you need to do a lot of work to rid them of all of the yellow and spotted leaves. Throw those far away from the bushes. The plant is either being over watered or has a leaf issue. I suggest google rose leaf issues and depending on where you live, since you didn't say Florida or North Dakota, Ask someone who knows in the garden department of your local gardening shop or Home Depot,or Lowe's, or any Nursery.
  • Janet Pizaro Janet Pizaro on Oct 31, 2016
    I have never heard of overwintering roses in the house. They should be hardened outside regardless of the weather. Second I would consider repotting them as looking at the yellowing leaves there appears to be a insect infestation or overwatering issue.
  • Johnchip Johnchip on Oct 31, 2016
    Yes you can., even if you 'have never heard of wintering roses in the house'. These are obviously miniature roses sold in most supermarkets year round, even in upstate NY. If exposed to much direct sun they have less chance of adjusting, but it is well worth the try. Clean out all dead or decaying leaves and branches. Spray with insecrn in upstate New York. ticide over and under leaves ( 1 part alcohol to 5 water with one drop dish soap) rinse off 8 hours later with water. Let dry. Place indoors, put a saucer under them. Place in as much sunlight as you can in house window.. Not near heat, draft is okay. Turn everytime you water so all sides get the light. Do not expect much from them, but in the right window they may bloom for you. Water when dry.
  • Sandra Sandra on Oct 31, 2016
    when you bring them in use banana peelings to fee them with and they will love you for it. i put banana peelings around and under them to feed them , they love the potassium and they will bloom their heads off. i still have roses blooming and here it is almost November and it is getting cooler and the bloom should have fallen off by now but they aren't.
  • William William on Oct 31, 2016
    From Fine Gardening Website: ***** A lot of the newer (and older), smaller roses are great for growing in containers on your patio, deck or even out in your garden. I’ve always felt they look terrific with plants like herbs spilling out the sides. ***** But if you live in a climate that gets a real winter what do you with the container and the rose when those cold north winds come blowing through? If you leave the rose outside it will likely die from the cold, but since roses need full sun you can’t bring it inside. Or can you? ***** Yes, you can and you should. During winter a rose is totally dormant and because of this it doesn’t matter if it’s in the sun or not. Now, I don’t advocate shutting it in a dark closet, but a non-heated room with some natural light is perfect. Like a garage near a window. ***** Why unheated? ***** Because you want the rose to stay dormant during winter and placing it in a heated room will wake it up. And once woken up it will need sunshine and since it’s too cold to put the rose outside….. well, you get the picture. ***** Simply wait for the rose to go naturally dormant and when that first deep freeze is forecast, like 25 F (-4 C) or below, go ahead and bring it inside. Once inside don’t let the soil dry out but don’t water it regularly either. Since the rose is dormant it won’t be taking up water. Just make sure the soil remains slightly moist and you’ll be fine. ***** Come spring when the rose starts to wake up take it back outside. If you get an unexpected late spring freeze bring it back inside or just throw a blanket over it. ***** Roses in containers are a wonderful sight in any garden and even if you live in a cold climate keeping them for years to come is a snap. ***** Happy Roseing ***** William
  • Terry Terry on Nov 01, 2016
    Thank-you Jan. I do remember watering them less than a week ago, and it does get around 50s at night, sometimes 40s
  • Sue Kiene Sue Kiene on Nov 01, 2016
    William gave you good advice.
  • Geralyn Geralyn on Nov 01, 2016
    My daughter had bought me a couple of miniature rose bushes for mothers day and I just brought them in last week before the frost. As long as I keep pruning them (as I always do) they bloom as usual.
  • Deanna Nassar Deanna Nassar on Nov 01, 2016
    I live in VA. We have always planted the roses outside. Cut them back and cover with leaves until spring is back again.
  • Betty Morgan Betty Morgan on Nov 01, 2016
    My container roses did great until just before our first frost, then both developed powdery mildew and black spot! I have been planning to just dump them and start over next year, soil and all, but since the subject of overwintering roses came up, I thought I would see what other people think. Thoughts?
    • Delicia Ambrosino Delicia Ambrosino on Nov 02, 2016
      Baking soda, a couple drops of blue dawn dish liquid and water can help with the mold and black spot. However, take them out of that dirt, rinse roots in warm water and repot in good medium. Not many people know that most miniatures can be planted in the ground and survive winters nicely if covered with burlap. I live in Western NY where the winters can be brutal at times, zone 5.