12 Best Rose Fertilizers And When To Apply Rose Food

Roses are among the hardest plants to maintain due to the specific nutrients that they need to absorb during their growing season.

Whether you have been growing roses for a long time or have decided to start growing roses in your garden, this guide covers everything you need to know from the nutrients that roses need to thrive, the best rose fertilizers on the market that you should consider, and the various tips and tricks on how to successfully apply the fertilizer.

This will mean that you can start building up your own rose garden with confidence.

What Nutrients Do Roses Need To Grow?

Before we delve into which rose fertilizers are the best to consider, it’s important to learn about the various nutrients that roses need to thrive. This will ensure that when it comes to researching various fertilizers, you’ll be able to know which ones are best for roses in particular.

Here are the most essential nutrients that roses must have to promote healthy growth:

Macronutrients

The first thing that is important for roses are macronutrients which allow every part of the plant to thrive. Some macronutrients that are important to consider include boron, calcium, copper, iron, magnesium, manganese, sulfur, and zinc.

Nitrogen

The next nutrient that is important for roses to have is nitrogen in balanced amounts which helps to promote vibrant colors and encourages leaf growth .

Make sure that you add the right amount of nitrogen as too much can cause an abundance of foliage with little blooms and too little will cause discoloration in the leaves and see a stunted amount of growth.

Phosphorus

Another important nutrient is phosphorus which helps to promote a healthy amount of root growth as well as a lot of flower production.

If your roses don’t get enough phosphorus then the stems will be weak and this can cause further problems with the buds as they may not bloom properly.

Potassium

Lastly, you need to make sure that you roses are exposed to plenty of potassium which can build up their tolerance and strength when the plant is attacked by harsh weather conditions, insects, or disease.

If your roses lack the appropriate amount of potassium then you may find that the plant dies prematurely, especially during colder weather or is more susceptible to insect attacks as well as discoloration in the leaves.

Quick Comparison: Top Picks For Rose Fertilizers And When To Apply Rose Food

[wptb id="507768" not found ]

12 Best Rose Fertilizers

Now that you know all the important facts about feeding roses, you’ll be able to make a decision as to which fertilizer is best for you. Here are the best rose fertilizers on the market that you should consider:

Best Overall: Espoma RT18 Rose Tone

Our first recommendation is the Espoma RT18 Rose Tone which is an all natural and organic plant food that has been enhanced with thousands of living microbes that has been approved for organic gardening.

This fertilizer is often the top choice for professional rosarians as it provides plenty of safe and long-lasting reservoirs of nutrients.

Made in the United States, this fertilizer has a long lasting slow release formula that is trusted by avid gardeners across the country thanks to its complex blend of natural organics.

Packed with 15 essential nutrients, this is complete plant food so you can be assured that your roses are getting the nutrients they need to thrive.

Pros

• Often the top choice for professional rosarians as it provides plenty of safe and long-lasting reservoirs of nutrients
• Has a long lasting slow release formula that is trusted by avid gardeners across the country thanks to its complex blend of natural organics
• Packed with 15 essential nutrients, this is complete plant food so you can be assured that your roses are getting the nutrients they need to thrive

Cons

• The bag is large and heavy which can make it difficult to distribute

Runner Up: J R Peters Inc (52064) Jacks Classic No.4 20-20-20 All Purpose Fertilizer

Our second selection is the J R Peters Inc (52064) Jacks Classic No.4 20-20-20 All Purpose Fertilizer which releases the nutrients slowly for up to four months of continuous growth to help your roses thrive.

This fertilizer’s formula has been blended with an enhanced micronutrient package which provides optimal nutrition for green foliage and strong roots while also featuring the highest safety factor prevent burning when applied as directed.

This fertilizer also comes with a free measuring spoon which has been enclosed for easy and precise application so you can be assured that you use the appropriate amount to optimize the amount of growth.

Pros

• Releases the nutrients slowly for up to four months of continuous growth to help your roses thrive
• This fertilizer’s formula has been blended with an enhanced micronutrient package which provides optimal nutrition for green foliage and strong roots
• Comes with a free measuring spoon which has been enclosed for easy and precise application so you can be assured that you use the appropriate amount to optimize the amount of growth

Cons

• High price point

Alternative: Down To Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer Mix 4-8-4

Our third choice is the Down to Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer Mix 4-8-4 which comes as a five pound box that contains a natural fertilizer complete with 4-8-4 formula that supplies nutrients for optimized growth and beautiful roses that will thrive thanks to the strong nitrogen constant, extra phosphorus to promote plenty of color, and potassium and trace elements to ensure healthy plant stock.

This fertilizer is great for all kinds of plants, especially roses, as you will see the results during their seasonal growth.

It has been listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production making it an ideal choice for using on flower beds, vegetable gardens, houseplants, and containers.

Packed with a variety of nutritious ingredients, this fertilizer contains fish bone meal, langbeinite, blood meal, alfalfa meal, seabird guano, rock phosphate, kelp meal, and humates so your roses are getting all the nutrients they need.

Pros

• Comes as a five pound box that contains a natural fertilizer complete with 4-8-4 formula that supplies nutrients for optimized growth and beautiful roses that will thrive thanks to the strong nitrogen constant, extra phosphorus to promote plenty of color, and potassium and trace elements to ensure healthy plant stock
• Has been listed by the Organic Materials Review Institute (OMRI) for use in organic production making it an ideal choice for using on flower beds, vegetable gardens, houseplants, and containers
• Contains fish bone meal, langbeinite, blood meal, alfalfa meal, seabird guano, rock phosphate, kelp meal, and humates so your roses are getting all the nutrients they need

Cons

• May have to add calcium source

Alternative: Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food

Our fourth recommendation is the Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food which instantly feeds your roses to grow bigger and faster compared to unfed plants.

Specifically formulated with roses in mind, this fertilizer should be given to your roses every one to two weeks to promote healthy growth and provide them with the nutrients they need.

This fertilizer has been endorsed by the American Rose Society so you can purchase it knowing that you will be using the same fertilizer that a lot of professional gardeners use on their roses.

You can use this fertilizer with the Micro-Gro garden feeder or any watering can making it highly versatile when it comes to the application and is guaranteed not to burn when used as directed.

Pros

• Specifically formulated with roses in mind, this fertilizer should be given to your roses every one to two weeks to promote healthy growth and provide them with the nutrients they need
• Has been endorsed by the American Rose Society so you can purchase it knowing that you will be using the same fertilizer that a lot of professional gardeners use on their roses
• Can use this fertilizer with the Micro-Gro garden feeder or any watering can making it highly versatile when it comes to the application and is guaranteed not to burn when used as directed

Cons

• Can be difficult to open

Alternative: BioAdvanced 043929293566 Bayer Advanced 701110A All in One Rose and Flower Care Granules

Our fifth selection is the BioAdvanced 043929293566 Bayer Advanced 701110A All in One Rose and Flower Care Granules which is a fertilizer that promotes strong roots and beautiful blooms to provide your roses with the nutrients that they need to thrive.

This fertilizer is great for those who have insect infestations in their garden as it will kill a variety of insects including aphids, Japanese beetles, and leafhoppers among much more while also helping to control any spread of disease including black spot, powdery mildew, rust, and southern blight.

It also features systemic rainproof protection that lasts up to six weeks and can treat up to 32 roses at one time making it great for those with larger gardens and rosebeds.

Pros

• Promotes strong roots and beautiful blooms to provide your roses with the nutrients that they need to thrive
• Great for those who have insect infestations in their garden as it will kill a variety of insects including aphids, Japanese beetles, and leafhoppers among much more
• Features systemic rainproof protection that lasts up to six weeks and can treat up to 32 roses at one time making it great for those with larger gardens and rosebeds

Cons

• Not suitable for sale in certain states including Connecticut, Maryland, New York, Vermont.

Alternative: Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Rose & Bloom Plant Food

Our sixth choice is the Miracle-Gro Shake ‘N Feed Rose & Bloom Plant Food which contains natural ingredients that can feed microbes in the soil while also promoting more blooms and spectacular color in your roses and other flowering plants compared to unfed plants.

This is a great option for both new and existing roses as it will help improve the color and condition by providing them with the nutrients they need.

This fertilizer can feed your roses for up to three months which helps to take the guesswork out of the feeding process.

It can be used on any flowering plants as well as roses, both in the ground and in containers making it versatile for application.

Pros

• Contains natural ingredients that can feed microbes in the soil while also promoting more blooms and spectacular color in your roses and other flowering plants compared to unfed plants
• Can feed your roses for up to three months which helps to take the guesswork out of the feeding process
• Can be used on any flowering plants as well as roses, both in the ground and in containers making it versatile for application.

Cons

• Can take a long time for the roses to thrive

Alternative: Jobe’s 04102 Rose Fertilizer Spikes

Our seventh recommendation is the Jobe’s 04102 Rose Fertilizer Spikes which comes with pre-measured rose fertilizer spikes that help to nourish your roses at the roots while the slow releasing fertilizer helps your roses to maintain their color and condition by providing them with the nutrients they need.

These fertilizer spikes are easy to use as they include no measuring, no wasteful runoff, no mess, hazards or smells, making them highly convenient to use for those who don’t want to spend too much time fussing over their garden.

These spikes work best when they are applied in early spring or late summer when the roses are about to grow and bloom to ensure that they have the best growth.

Each spike feeds for eight weeks meaning that there is a continuous supply of nutrients below the surface which is where the active roots are growing which ensures no dangerous runoff.

Pros

• Comes with pre-measured rose fertilizer spikes that help to nourish your roses at the roots while the slow releasing fertilizer helps your roses to maintain their color and condition by providing them with the nutrients they need
• Easy to use as they include no measuring, no wasteful runoff, no mess, hazards or smells, making them highly convenient to use for those who don’t want to spend too much time fussing over their garden
• Each spike feeds for eight weeks meaning that there is a continuous supply of nutrients below the surface which is where the active roots are growing which ensures no dangerous runoff

Cons

• The plastic cap can be hard to remove once hammered in place

Alternative: Dr. Earth 702P Organic 3 Rose & Flower Fertilizer In Poly Bag