Roses can be extremely easily grown in pots and different containers, however, not all pots are equal and roses will definitely do better in some spots than in others. As a general rule, the size of the pot should be around 8-15 gallons, although this also depends on the type of rose you are planning to pot and how big the plant is. If the pot is relatively wide then you should definitely consider adding a companion plant with your roses like petunias for example.
Ceramic, clay, and terracotta pots are recommended for growing roses due to their beneficial properties. These types of pots are thicker, providing insulation that prevents quick heating in warm weather and better protection against frost during winter, safeguarding the roots of the rose plants.
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Where you actually place the rose pot will directly impact what kind of pot you should use, both indoors and outdoors as well. In a full sun location, you should definitely stay away from plastic and metal pots as these absorb heat and will dry out the roots of the roses in a matter of days. On the other hand, if you place the pot in a partial shade location you can still get away with plastic pots but I would still not recommend them.
Smaller pots can be used for miniature roses, for hybrid tea and floribunda roses you should use large pots. Climbing roses can be also grown in pots, although only when they are relatively young. Just keep in mind that if you are growing roses in pots that are not hardy in your zone, never leave them outside during the winter as they will not survive. If your roses started to wilt then check out my recent article How To Save A Wilted Plant ( As Fast As Possible! ).
Pots For Roses
When selecting pots for roses, it’s important to consider their size, material, and drainage capabilities. Choose a pot that is at least 18 inches deep and wide to accommodate the extensive root system of the rose plant. Opt for pots made of durable materials like terracotta or plastic that can withstand outdoor conditions and provide good insulation for the roots. Ensure that the pot has drainage holes to prevent waterlogged soil, which can lead to root rot. You may also consider using self-watering pots or containers with reservoirs to maintain consistent moisture levels. Additionally, choose pots that match the aesthetic of your garden and provide ample space for the growth and spread of the rose plant.
Plastic Pots
The most common pots used for roses are made out of plastic, and generally speaking, this is one of the worst materials for pots. The problem with plastic pots is that they tend to heat up, and slowly dry out the rose. You have to really keep up with watering your roses if you keep them in plastic pots, miss a couple of days and you will definitely see the roses starting to wilt. On the other hand, you can also easily overwater your plants in plastic pots, even if they have several drainage holes.
The main pros of using plastic pots are that they come in a lot of different colors, are extremely cheap and you can easily move the pots from one place to another. Don’t get me wrong there are plenty of people growing roses in plastic pots successfully, but if you want to use a pot in which your roses will grow the best then I would avoid plastic pots at all costs. If your roses are flopping over then check out my recent article Why Do Plants Flop Over? ( Top 9 Reasons ).
Clay Pots
Clay pots are hands down the best ones for roses, they are not only aesthetically pleasing but also have a lot of benefits for roses. Clay pots are porous, which means that the pot is actually breathing, this will protect your roses from root rot. Beneficial bacteria that need air in order to survive will be able to establish in clay pots, these will directly help the growth of the rose. Rose pots tend to keep rather cool even when placed in a full sun location.
Although clay pots tend to break from time to time, but overall they are relatively cheap and come in a lot of different shapes and sizes. Just make sure that the clay pot which you are using for roses has drainage holes as not all clay pots have them. If your roses are damaged by snails then check out my recent article Can Plants Recover From Slug And Snail Damage?,
Terracotta Pots
Clay pots and terracotta pots are two different yet extremely similar pots. Terracotta simply means baked earth ( soil ) in Latin and Italian as well, generally speaking, clay pots contain hydrous aluminum silicate particles and other minerals that terracotta pots don’t have. Terracotta pots are porous just like clay pots are, which means that they will allow air to circulate in the pot which aids the growth of the roses.
Terracotta pots have the same benefits as clay pots do, and oftentimes they do cost the same. The main noticeable difference between clay and terracotta pots is their red to orange colors.
Ceramic Pots
Most people think that ceramic pots are just painted clay or terracotta pots. However ceramic pots are actually lacquered, this lacquered finish is made for aesthetic purposes and for functionality as well. The main difference between terracotta, clay, and ceramic pots is that ceramic pots are not porous, and will not allow air to circulate as well. Ceramic pots are relatively good for roses, these pots do not really heat up, but you have to be careful not to overwater your roses.
The main drawbacks of ceramic pots for roses are that they tend to chip rather quickly and can be expensive. Other than that, if you want to plant your roses in ceramic pots then make sure that it has drainage holes as not all ceramic pots have them.
Metal Pots
Metal pots are not that commonly used especially for roses, but on occasion, you will find people growing them in metal pots or even in metal buckets. Usually, these metal pots are used for their aesthetic purposes rather than for their functionality. Some people grow the roses directly in the metal pots while others use a different type of pot like plastic or clay and place them into the metal pots, giving you the illusion that the roses are grown in metal pots.
The problem with metal pots is that they tend to overheat extremely fast, if your roses are in full sun then the excess heat will start to dry them out. Not only do these metal pots heat up but they also tend to hold on to the heat for a relatively long time. Although most metal pots are treated not to rust, but this protection will sooner or later wear off and the metal pot will start to rust. Another big problem is that metal pots can break without you even touching them, mostly because when the metal pot heats up it expands and contracts during the night.
While this will not break it in a week or two but it will create small cracks in the metal pot and sooner or later it will crack. My personal recommendation is to only use metal pots for roses if you place the rose in a clay container and then into the metal pot. Just make sure that the two pots are not in direct contact as heat will be transferred a lot easier this way.
Concrete Pots
Concrete pots have started to become rather popular, and there are several reasons why you should consider using them for your roses. The main quality of concrete pots is that they stay rather cool, although this depends on how large and thick the pot actually is. If you have your roses in a full sun location then you can put them into concrete pots without having to worry about the roses drying out due to heat.
Generally speaking, for roses, the larger the concrete pot is the better it will be for the rose. Just keep in mind that it will be extremely difficult to relocate a giant concrete pot.
Wooden Pots
Wooden pots can be used for growing roses, although you have to be somewhat careful. Wood that has not been treated against rotting might absorb too much water which could cause root rot or damage the pot itself. On the other hand, wooden pots that have been treated against rot can have these chemicals seep into the soil and then be absorbed by the rose, which isn’t good for them. My personal recommendation is to use a wooden pot, or even a carved-out log, and place a clay pot inside it, this way you get the benefits from the clay pot and the aesthetics of the wooden pot.
Self Watering Pots
Self-watering pots can be used for roses, although they tend to have their fair share of cons and pros. The biggest benefit of using self-watering pots for roses is that you will have to water the plants less often, and you can also take a holiday without worrying that your plants will wilt. On the other hand, most self-watering pots are made out of plastic, which has mostly negatives when it comes to growing roses in them.
Key Takeaways
- The best pots for roses are clay and terracotta pots, these allow air to circulate in the pot and they do not absorb and dissipate heat as other pots do. Plastic and metal pots should be avoided for roses as they tend to heat up which will damage the roses in the long run. Ceramic and concrete pots can also be used for roses but these do not allow air to circulate in the pot which is extremely important for healthy root development.
- Porous materials like clay and terracotta are the best for roses.
- If you want to use pots made from other materials like wood, concrete, ceramic, metal, or plastic, then the best approach is to plant the rose into a clay pot and place the pot into them.
- No matter what kind of pot you will use for your roses make sure that it has drainage holes, for some reason not all pots have drainage holes.
