Roses can grow well in different types of pots but there are a few key considerations to be aware of when it comes to choosing the best pot for growing roses.
Ceramic, terracotta and clay pots measuring at least 12 inches across, are the best choice for growing roses. Ceramic, terracotta and clay pots do not heat up as much in the Summer compared to metal and plastic pots and planters and can resist frost better in Winter to protect the rose’s roots.
Always choose a pot with drainage holes in the base to allow excess water to drain away from the rose’s roots to prevent root rot.
Keep reading to learn which pots and containers are best for roses and how to avoid common mistakes when growing roses in pots…
Best Pot Size for Growing Roses
Roses come in a variety of sizes but you should always plant roses in pots that are at least 12 inches across with the same proportional depth.
This is because roses need a pot with a large enough capacity to hold enough soil which helps to retain more moisture so that the soil around the roots of your rose does not dry out too quickly, particularly as roses prefer full sun and warm temperatures which increase the rate at which the soil dries.
Roses require the soil to be consistently moist to avoid drooping and to grow and flower their best.
If the pot is too small then the rate at which water evaporates from the soil increases and the rose leaves and stems wilts in the Summer sun and requires watering more frequently just to stay alive.
The soil is smaller pots also sometimes bakes hard which can deflect water from the surface of the soil so that the moisture does not reach the rose’s roots where it is required.
When roses are planted in garden boarders their roots are insulted from the cold in Winter by the soil which keeps the roots at the right temperature to survive.
However in pots the root system is essentially above ground and therefore more vulnerable to cold damage as the roots are the most sensitive part of the plant to freezing temperatures.
This is why a larger pot is so important as the more soil in the pot the better insulated the roots are in Winter which increase their resilience to the cold.
Roses require their soil to be consistently moist to prevent the rose from drooping, yet they also prefer the well draining conditions of pots as they do not tolerate their roots being sat in boggy soil, so pots often achieve the right balance of moisture for roses which is why roses often grow so well in pots.
(Read my article, why are my rose leaves turning yellow?)
Best Material for Rose Pots
Roses are hardy once established and can grow in any pot material (as long as it is large enough and has drainage holes in the bottom) but there are some types of pots and containers that are more favorable for growing roses then others.
I have seen roses grown in pots made for wood, metal, plastic, ceramic, terracotta, and clay.
However it should be noted that metal pots and containers and even the thin plastic pots heat up a lot quicker in the sun. As roses require full sun this means the pots heat up quickly which dries out the soil, stresses the roots and causes your rose to wilt.
Roses require moist soil with lots of organic matter to grow their best so anything that increase the rate at which the pot dries out can harm the rose.
If you do plant roses in metal or plastic pots, it is important to be diligent about watering frequently to avoid the rose drooping.
At the hottest times of year this can mean that you have to water roses every day if their pots are heating up in the sun.
The best pots for growing roses are made from ceramic terracotta or clay style pots and containers. This pots do not heat up as much in the sun and can often provide some protection fro the roots from frost in the Winter compared to plastic or metal pots and tend to resist weather better.
Clay pots also have a porous quality which can help to prevent root rot when the pots getting really damp in persistent rainfall.
Whilst ceramic, terracotta and clay pots are the best pots for roses a good sized terracotta pot can be very heavy when containing soil, water and of course the rose itself.
This can make it difficult to move compared to the lighter plastic pots but also can act as a counter balance against winds as some roses grow tall and can be somewhat top heavy which can cause them to topple if the pot is too light.
(Read my article, why are my roses not blooming?)
Good Drainage in the Base of the Rose’s Pot or Coantiner
By far the most important feature of a rose’s pot or container is to have drainage holes in the base of the pot to allow excess water to escape after watering.
If there are no drainage holes in the base of the pot, water just collects at the bottom of the pot and the soil around the rose’s roots becomes saturated which causes root rot and your rose dies back.
Roses need good drainage to stay healthy.
To further increase the drainage of the pot, I recommend adding a layer of gravel at the bottom of the pot as this ensures that there is a porous structure as the base of the pot that allows water to flow freely from the bottom. This also prevents any soil becoming compacted at the base of the pot which can slow down the drainage of excess water.
I recommend placing your rose pots on little feet or stands so that they are about an inch off the ground. This again allows water to flow from the base of the pot without it collecting underneath on a patio which can keep the soil too damp for the roses roots.
(Read my article, how to revive a dying potted rose).
Avoid this Common Mistake!
Occasionally I see rose pots on patios that have a large tray underneath to catch the water which prevents it from running out the pot and all over the patio.
Trays underneath pots just collect water after watering and the bottom of the pot is sat in water which promotes the conditions for root rot.
Always make sure that excess water can escape from the bottom of your rose pot to prevent root rot and keep the rose roots healthy.
Key Takeaways:
- Ceramic, clay and terracotta pots are the best choice for growing roses. Ceramic, clay and terracotta pots tend to be thicker which means they do not heat up as quickly as metal or plastic pots and resists frost better in Winter to protect the rose’s roots.
- Grow roses in pots that measure at least 12 inches across with the same proportional depth. A pot of this size has the capacity to contain enough soil and to hold enough moisture so that the soil does not dry out too quickly for the rose’s roots to draw up water. A larger pots also provides insulation in Winter to protect the rose’s root from frost.
- Always plant roses in pots and containers with drainage holes in the base to allow excess water to escape after watering. Roses require moist soil but develop root rot, if the soil is saturated, so it is important that water can drain from the base of the pot to allow the rose to stay healthy.
- Place rose pots on stands to allow water to flow from the base to prevent the soil staying damp and to avoid root rot.