How to Plant Roses in Containers

Do you ever feel like your garden is overflowing, or maybe you just don’t have any outdoor space at all? Well, fret no more! Container gardening lets you bring the beauty of roses right to your doorstep, patio, or deck even with limited space. Let’s jump into the benefits of roses in pots and how to plant them.

Roses in the City

Do you live in an apartment with a balcony or fire escape? Or maybe even a house with a small yard? Container gardening opens a whole world of possibilities, even for those with limited gardening space. Add roses in decorative pots either by themselves or planted with annuals for a gorgeous and colorful display wherever you’re planting.

Finding the Perfect Spot

However, if you’re lucky enough to have ample space to garden with, planting in containers can be a great way to add height and interest to your landscape!

Planting a rose in a pot allows you to find the perfect spot for it by moving it around to different areas of your space. Maybe it does better by your front door or possibly on your deck!

Planting Power! A Step-by-Step Guide

The first step to planting is choosing which rose you want. Some of the best Easy Elegance® roses for container planting include Little Mischief, Calypso, Screaming Neon Red, and Oscar Peterson.

Always keep in mind the mature size of your rose before planting so that you don’t have to transplant it further down the road.

But, if you do plant a larger rose in a pot, you can always transplant it to the garden after a few years in a pot. Follow the tips outlines in our blog on how to transplant correctly.

Step 1: Picking the Perfect Pot

Choose a pot a few inches bigger than the one your rose came in. In general, go with a pot that’s double the size of the diameter of the pot your plant came in. And remember, drainage holes are important to prevent root rot, so make sure your pot has some.

Step 2: Planting Time!

Fill your pot with potting mix, leaving some space at the top for watering. Remove your rose from the pot it came in and gently loosen the roots with your hand or a tool.

Place your rose in the pot, making sure it sits a couple of inches below the rim. Fill in the sides with more potting mix to secure your plant.

Step 3: Watering

Give your rose a good, long drink until water flows freely from the drainage holes. Repeat this step one more time to make sure the roots are evenly hydrated. Head to our blog on watering roses to learn more.

Overwintering Roses in Containers

Did you know that you can overwinter your potted roses to enjoy them next season? If you live in a cooler climate, there are a couple different ways you can protect your rose throughout the winter. Covering with a blanket or bringing the container into an unheated garage are both great options. Check out our blog on overwintering roses in containers for even more information.

You only need to water it sparingly, about once a month. In milder climates, you can leave your pot outside in a sheltered spot. Check out our guide to overwintering containers for more information.

Planting roses in containers is a fantastic way to bring beauty and elegance to any area of your space. So, grab your favorite gardening gloves, get planting, and create a vibrant rose container garden that will be the envy of the neighborhood!


Order online during our shipping season or use our Find a Retailer tool to locate Easy Elegance® Roses at garden centers near you. Follow us on social @easyeleganceroses and tag us when you post a picture of your beautiful Easy Elegance® roses. And for monthly tips, inspiration, and more, make sure to sign up for our newsletter.