Many roses are perfectly happy in pots. With a little bit of attention to planting and care, they will stay beautiful for years. They make a colourful addition to your terrace or balcony.

Pot and potting soil

The rule of thumb is: the bigger the rose, the bigger the pot. Also make sure the pot is deep enough: rose roots like a fair bit of depth. Since they don’t like wet feet, the pot should have holes in the bottom. Then again, the soil should not completely dry out either. Therefore, use special rose potting soil or potting soil with a relatively large amount of clay or loam.

Step-by-step plan for planting roses in pots

1. Put some bubble wrap inside the pot, to prevent it from breaking due to frost. Make sure that water can still drain at the bottom.
2. Apply a layer of clay granules of about five centimetres.
3. Carefully remove the rose from its growing pot. You can cut it off if necessary.
4. Many roses are grafted: they consist of a (wild) rootstock plus the rose variety itself. Plant them deep enough, so that the grafting site (the thickening above the roots with the first branches) is 3 cm below the soil. If there is no thickening, plant them deep enough so that all the roots and a small part of the stem are below the soil. Allow some room for watering.
5. Fill the pot with the (rose) potting soil and press down well.
6. Work some organic (rose) fertiliser into the upper level of the soil.
7. Put the rose in a place with at least 5 hours of daily sunshine and water generously.

Tips

Why not offer a potted rose as a gift for a special occasion, such as a wedding or birthday? The lucky recipient will enjoy it for years to come and think of you often! Plant early-flowering plants under standard roses to enjoy colourful blooms on your balcony or terrace throughout the growing season.