As a rule, your potted roses and rose trees should be kept in an environment above 25 degrees F, and ideally at 40 degrees, but not above 40-50 degrees or they will not go dormant.
Most roses can withstand a quick cold snap of temperatures down to 10 degrees F, but it is best to protect them if you expect an extended period of time when temperatures dip under 20 degrees F. The amount of protection your roses need depends on the climate in which you live.
Simply leave your roses outdoors in their pots until they have dropped their leaves and gone dormant, which usually happens after the first real freeze. Then you remove any dead or dying leaves remaining on the bush and move them indoors to an unheated location that receives very little light.
Overwinter potted roses by moving them into an unheated garage or to a sheltered place next to the south side of your house.
Ideal Temperatures for Planting Roses
Roses cannot withstand temperatures below 32 degrees F, so keep plants awaiting transplanting in a warm, protected area where they will not be damaged.
Ideal temperatures fluctuate between 34° to 37°F, though take care to avoid temperatures dropping below 32°, as they will suffer frostbite.
Winter time is very hard on flowers. They just do not like any temperature below freezing. Don't get me wrong flowers like it cold. Flowers are happiest in temperatures of 40-50 degrees.
Rose Winter Care in Pots
If you have container grown roses, the entire pot can be moved to an insulated yet unheated location such as a shed, basement, or garage where the temperature stays near the freezing mark. Water sparingly only when the soil is dry to the touch, usually once a month.
Canes of taller or climbing roses can be loosely tied together using twine or fabric strips to prevent damage from winter winds. The canes of climbing roses can also be laid on the ground and covered with approximately 6 inches of garden soil to protect them for the winter.
A potted miniature rose can be kept as a houseplant through the winter months. Bring the plant indoors before a hard freeze. Place the miniature rose in a sunny window or under artificial lighting. Avoid sites near cold drafts or heat sources.
The more severe winters you experience in your location, the more important it is to cover the base of the rose bush. Since roses go dormant in the winter, there's not much damage that frost will do to the rose canes. Of course, you can prune any damage from the canes in springtime.
Make sure you protect your rose bushes with the appropriate method. DO NOT PUT PROTECTION IN PLACE UNTIL JUST BEFORE THE GROUND IS EXPECTED TO FREEZE HARD. AND DO NOT REMOVE UNTIL THE EARLIEST SPRING BLOOMERS HAVE BLOOMED (in many parts of the country those are forsythia shrubs).
As a rule, your potted roses and rose trees should be kept in an environment above 25 degrees F, and ideally at 40 degrees, but not above 40-50 degrees or they will not go dormant.
Every two to three years, container-grown roses need to be repotted to keep the plants healthy and flowering well. If the plant has outgrown its pot, find a new container that is one to two sizes larger than the original pot. Be sure to pick a pot that has drainage holes!
How Long Do Potted Roses Last? Container roses can last between two to three years, then will require repotting so they can keep growing with fresh soil. If your plant has outgrown its pot, be sure to buy a new one with drainage holes!
Roses are excellent plants for growing in pots. English Roses, with their shrubby, bushy habit are ideal for growing in large pots and containers. Unlike many other potted plants, English Roses will flower in fragrant flushes throughout the summer and into the fall.
Roses thrive on direct sunlight. For best results, a minimum of four hours of direct sunlight is recommended. However, even when planted against a north wall (meaning no direct sunlight) roses can still perform well.
Err on the generous size so the soil does not dry out too quickly. Miniature roses and probably the small polyantha roses will do fine in a 5 gallon container.
If you're wondering at what temperature threshold you should be bringing your plants, there's a short answer: when nighttime temperatures reach 45 degrees (F), it's time to bring your plants indoors.
Our recommendation would be to remove the cold protection covering once temperatures are above 32 degrees. If you leave the covering on when it gets warm and the sun is shining brightly, it may get too hot inside the cover and stress out the plants.
However, know that even if air temperatures are as high as 38°F, frosts may occur on the ground and on plants. It's better to protect plants just in case!
How Long Do Roses Last without Water? Cut roses can last without water for about two hours. Roses with woody stems retain moisture better, so they can last longer.
To keep your bouquet strong and healthy, try this super-simple flower tip: Store the flowers in the refrigerator overnight. It'll help slow down the process of water loss and keep your blooms looking crisp. To store the flowers properly, fill a vase about ¾ full with water, and then put the flowers in the vase.
Should I cover my plants at 36 degrees? As a whole, all tender plants should be brought indoors or protected with garden fabric to prevent frost when it is 36°F outside. For cold-hardy plants, this is entirely optional. But it's better to err on the side of caution when the temperature falls below 40°F.