Female adding fertilizer to rose bush

The Best Way to Fertilize Your Roses

Roses are one of the most beautiful and classic flowers. They have been associated with love, appreciation, and friendship for centuries. Roses come in many colors, but they are most commonly red, pink, or white. Whatever the color, roses are a stunning addition to any garden.

Caring for roses can seem like a daunting task, but it doesn’t have to be. With the proper care, your roses will bloom beautifully year after year.

One of the most important things you can do for your roses is to fertilize them regularly. But how do you know which fertilizer is best for your roses?

Why Fertilize?

Roses are heavy feeders, meaning they require more nutrients than other plants. They need a fertilizer that is high in nitrogen, phosphorus, and potassium (the three numbers on a fertilizer label). Nitrogen promotes healthy growth, phosphorus encourages blooming, and potassium strengthens the overall plant.

Woman in garden fertilizing rose bush with buds.
Woman fertilizing roses

When to Fertilize

You should fertilize your roses twice a year. Once in the spring and once in the fall.

Applying fertilizer in the spring will give your roses the nutrients they need to grow strong and healthy. After a long winter, your roses may be nutrient-deficient from being in storage or from being under stress from the cold weather.

By applying fertilizer in the springtime, you’ll give them a much-needed boost that will help them recover from winter and flourish during the growing season.

Beautiful bush of red roses in a garden on a summer day.


Applying fertilizer in the fall will help your roses prepare for winter by giving them the strength to resist disease and tolerate colder temperatures. Fall is also a good time to fertilize because it gives the plants time to absorb the nutrients before winter sets in.

This way, when spring comes around again, your plants will be well-nourished and ready to bloom beautifully.