Guest Author - Sue MacNeil

Chances are you've seen the pots of miniature roses for sale in the store. Perhaps you've even given or received one as a gift, but have always wondered if they can they be grown successfully indoors. The answer is maybe, if you can provide the proper conditions. Given those conditions, they will bloom nearly year round with a brief rest period in the winter. Be aware though that it takes work and dedication to be successful.

Like regular roses, the miniature varieties require a lot of sunlight. 6 to 8 hours a day is best. A southern facing window is recommended. They also require moderate heat. If the temperature is too cold, they'll go dormant, and it's too warm the plant will dry out quickly and wilt or brown. Indoor roses also need to be watered more frequently than their outdoor counterparts because containers dry out much faster than the ground.

Drainage is also important for indoor roses to flourish. A good draining soil allows the roots to breathe and delivers nutrients while washing away salts and other harmful things that might be in the soil. If your roses are allowed to sit in water the roots will rot and the plant will die.

Miniature roses, despite their size, still need room to grow. The pot they come in will soon become too small. A 1 gallon container is recommended as anything smaller could cause the plant to become root bound and grow poorly. They are also heavy feeders and will need to be fertilized regularly.

A significant issue to consider when growing roses indoors is air circulation. Good circulation is critical for healthy plants. Without it, pests such as spider mites thrive, and dust and dirt settle on leaves, which literally suffocate the plant. Spider mites love heat, dry air and low air circulation. The solution is to increase the air circulation (try running a fan on low) and regular misting. The misting will also help clean dust and dirt from the leaves.

If growing roses indoors seems like a lot of work, it is! Don't let that discourage you though. Provided you can give them the conditions they need and don't mind the effort, you can have an indoor rose garden. Stay tuned for more articles on Miniature Roses and their care.

Have any questions or comments? Please stop by our forum or feel free to email me. I love hearing from you!