Overview
Roses use a large amount of nutrients, especially repeat-blooming varieties so that they require supplemental fertilizer for optimum growth. Rose plants need different amounts of nutrients depending on the soil in which they are planted. They require all the three primary nutrients contained in a complete fertilizer-Nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium.
There are two types of fertilizers that work effectively for roses, that is: Rapid-release fertilizers and Slow-release fertilizers. Rapid-release fertilizers are optimal for established rose plants experiencing immediate stress from lack of nutrients. They provide a quick boost of plant food in the short term, usually requiring reapplication every two weeks or so. On the other hand, Slow-release fertilizers are actually the best fertilizers to use on roses; they are generally applied as a top dressing around the bases of rose plants. The best examples of slow-release are organic formulations which generally release lower concentrations of nutrients over a longer period of time.
Experts usually recommend applying the first round of a quick-release fertilizer when new growth begins during the spring. The second round of fertilizer should be applied after flower buds first set and the third round in mid-July. When using a slow-release using a slow-release fertilizer, apply the product just once when new growth first starts. Apply the fertilizer evenly around the base of the plant and water immediately after to help the nutrients soak into the soil.
There are many fertilizer products specially formulated for Roses. This article provides information on 20 best, tried and tested environmentally friendly fertilizer formulations for roses. Choose one and use as per the direction.
Fertilizer For Roses
1. Jobe’s 09423 Organics Flower & Rose Granular Fertilizer
Jobe’s Biozome is a combination of healthy bacteria, Mycorrhizal fungi and Archaea. This unique and proprietary blend of beneficial microorganisms improves the long-term soil quality of your garden, increases root mass, promoting plant growth and helping your garden resist disease, insects, drought and other unfavorable conditions within a growing season.
Thoroughly dissolve one scoop of Jobe’s Organics All Purpose Water Soluble Fertilizer per gallon of water. For small rose bushes, use half a gallon of organic fertilizer per bush. For large established rose bushes, use one gallon of organic fertilizer per bush. Apply organic fertilizer every fourteen to twenty-eight days as needed.
Overview
- Complex blend of natural organics
- No sludge, hazardous or toxic ingredients.
- Won’t burn the roses or leach away
- It is long lasting as it feeds for a full season.
2. Burpee Organic Rose and Bloom Granular Plant Food
Roses are heavy feeders that need a constant supply of nutrients to maintain growth & Blossom production. Burpee Organic Rose and bloom granular plant food is formulated to feed quickly while delivering long-lasting results for all types of roses and flowering plants. It provides a flush of nutrients immediately and slow-release nutrients continue to feed your plants for up to 3 months.
Burpee Organic Rose and bloom granular plant food, contains beneficial microbes to help promote spectacular blooms, more Color, and strong root development. It is an ideal granular plant food for container gardens, established beds and individual bushes.
Overview
- Easy to use fertilizer
- It promotes strong roots and vibrant bloom
- No sludge, hazardous or toxic ingredients that will burn the plant.
- May be added to the soil at any time
3. Espoma RT4 4-Pound Rose-Tone 4-3-2 Plant Food
Espoma RT4 4-Pound Rose-Tone 4-3-2 Plant Food is a product made in United States, It is an all natural and organic plant food enhanced with thousands of living microbes and is approved for organic gardening. It is preferred by professional rosarians and provides a safe, long-lasting reservoir of nutrients. It is environmentally friendly as it does not contain sludges, hazardous or toxic ingredients. The fertilizer can be used on all varieties of roses in the landscape or in containers. It can also be used on flowering plants like Viburnum, Bougainvilleas and Clematis. For best bloom production feed monthly through the growing season, typically May through September.
Overview
- 100% natural and organic ingredients with no fillers or sludges
- Long lasting, slow-release feeding with our exclusive Bio-tone Microbes
- Approved for gardening
4. Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Food
Endorsed by the American Rose Society, Miracle-Gro Water Soluble Rose Plant Foodpromotes beautiful blooms and lush foliage. It starts to work instantly and is ideal for all types of roses.Easy to use with the Miracle-Gro Garden Feeder or your watering can. For best results, feed your plants every 7 to 14 days during the growing season.
Overview
- When To Apply: 7-14 Days
- Where To Use: For all flowering annuals and perennials
- Coverage Area: 1.5 lbs. feeds approximately 600 sq. ft.
- Benefit: Promote more vibrant blooms
- Available Size: 5 lbs
- Fertilizer Analysis: 18-24-16
5. Dr. Earth 702P Organic 3 Rose & Flower Fertilizer
DR EARTH 702P Organic 3 Rose and Flower Fertilizer, produces gorgeous roses and flowers. The nutrients are quickly released and continue to feed for several months. It contains Probiotic strains of bacteria that works to ensure nutrients are broken down and released into the soil. The fertilizer provides optimum levels or primary essential plant nutrients including micronutrients and multi-minerals for bigger and more abundant blooms.
The best thing about this fertilizer is that it feeds for several months and eliminates the need for chemical fertilizers when used as per specification. Use this fertilizer in raised beds during transplanting or mid-season to enhance plant health. For container grown plants, feed every six weeks
Overview
- Loosens and improves soil texture
- Produces larger and more abundant blooms
- Feeds for several months
- No sludge, hazardous or toxic ingredients that will burn the plant.
6. Neptune’s Harvest Rose & Flowering Formula 2-6-4 (Quart)
Neptune’s Harvest Rose and Flowering Formula is uniquely formulated for flowering plants to increase vigor during flowering and to increase the volume and density of buds that produce healthy, vibrant flowers. It provides necessary nutrients to keep your plants vigorous with strong root zones and lush foliage, increasing its tolerance to various diseases, temperature and drought. It is deal for Flowers, vegetables, trees, shrubs, and lawns. Apply every 1-2 weeks. On Roses and flowers use only once buds begin to appear, when flowering begins.
Overview
- When To Apply: 1-2 weeks
- Dilution Ratio: 1:128 (1 oz per gal)
- Where To Use: For all flowering annuals and perennials
- Coverage Area: Feeds approximately 2000 sq. ft.
- Benefit: Promote more vibrant blooms
- Available Size: 1064 ml
- Fertilizer Analysis: 2-6-4
7. Schultz Spf48410 Rose & Flower Slow-Release Plant Food
Schultz Spf48410 Rose and Flower fertilizer is a special plant food designed for Roses, flowers and evergreens. It is rich essential nutrients. Apply every other week for lush foliage, rich color and abundant blooms. This fertilizer won’t harm other plants or burn foliage when used as directed.
Overview
- Fertilizer Analysis: 15-5-15
- Size: 3.5 lbs
- Type: Slow release
- Easy to use, no mixing is required
- Includes micronutrients
8. EarthPods Premium Bloom Flowering Plant Food
EarthPods Premium Bloom Flowering Plant Foodis a highly concentrated plant food that provides the nutrients your plants need to grow and bloom. It can be used successfully on all your flowering bulbs and houseplants, annual flowers and perennial shrubs whether they are indoor / outdoor and in containers / hangings baskets / raised garden beds etc. Feed your roses with EarthPods product every 2-3 weeks.
Overview
- Produces larger and more abundant blooms
- Feeds for several months
- No sludge, hazardous or toxic ingredients that will burn the plant.
9. Miracle-Gro Nature’s Care Organic Bone Meal
Miracle-Gro Nature’s Care Organic Bone Meal is a product of Miracle-Gro and has been formulated for organic gardening. The fertilizer has been packed with significant amount of phosphorus for beautiful green leaves and blooms. It also promotes vigorous roots and makes your roses and other flowers to stay beautiful and strong throughout the growing season.
Overview
- Professional formula for more flowers and brighter colors on all indoor and outdoor plants.
- It promotes strong roots and vibrant bloom
- Provides the vital organic phosphorus
- No sludge, hazardous or toxic ingredients that will burn the plant.
10. Alaska Morbloom Concentrate 0-10-10
Alaska morbloom 0-10-10 helps to promote vigorous root growth, stimulates budding and blooming of flowers. The all natural formula is rich in phosphorus and potassium to promote strong, healthy plant growth. It can be used on all flowering plants to brighten the colors of flowers and foliage. Alaska morbloom 0-10-10 works best on outdoor plants, flower gardens, bulbs, roses, herbs, berries and indoor plants that bloom. The concentrate formula is easy to use. For best results, shake well before use and apply every 3 weeks during the growing season.
Overview
- Encourages budding and blooming for abundant and colorful flowers
- Promotes vigorous root growth
- Can be used on all flowering plants
- Made with fish
11. Osmocote Smart-Release Plant Food
Osmocote Smart Release Plant Food is a slow release plant food that lasts for 4 months and is the industry’s standard for slow release plant food. Each granule of the fertilizer is coated with a unique resin that controls nutritional release so that plants get what they require and when they require.
This fertilizer will feed plants throughout the growing season without chemical burns. It is great for planting annuals and feeding container plants and will promote strong roots and beautiful above ground growth. It comes in 1.25 lb and 3 lb container bottles and comes in a re-sealable bag.
For outdoor roses, sprinkle evenly across areas to be fed and work into the top 1-3 inches of soil. When transplanting roses or when re-potting, mix into the soil and growing media at the bottom of the hole before planting and then water. Apply to the outdoor plants every three month during the growing season.
Overview
- No sludge, hazardous or toxic ingredients.
- Won’t burn the roses or leach away
- It is long lasting as it feeds for a full season
- Balances vigorous top growth with strong root development
- Great for annuals, perennials and garden vegetables
- Easy to use and available in water resistant bottles
12. Dynamite All Purpose Plant Food 18-6-8
Dynamite All-Purpose Plant Food 18-6-8 is an excellent product for all flowering trees and shrubs, houseplants, ferns, palms, grasses, and herbs. It has balanced rates of NPK and essential micro-nutrients to encourage the establishment of roots, create strong stems and branches, and promote greener foliage and more numerous blooms.
Dynamite All-purpose Plant Food comes in bottle with an easy-to-use shaker top, and it will feed plants continuously for up to nine months. Once it’s applied, the nutrients will not wash out even with heavy rains or watering, which helps to reduce the amount of fertilizer that ends up in groundwater, minimizing the environmental impact.
Overview
- The most advanced time release fertilizer featuring
- Eco-friendly fertilization
- Create strong stems and branches, and promote greener foliage and more numerous blooms
- It will feed plants continuously for up to nine months
13. Monterey LG7220 Epsom Salt For Plants
Epsom Salt is a source of magnesium that is essential toplant development. It is required by plants to producechlorophyll. Leaf yellowing is the deficiency symptom. It helps plants absorb phosphorus, increases a plant’s natural resistance to disease and is absorbed by both the leaves and roots.
Epsom salts contain magnesium sulfate, key nutrients for plants, and when combined with water is absorbed through the roots and foliage of plants. Using this in your garden can help to increase the blooms on your plants, is completely natural, and is perfect for organic gardeners in place of other fertilizers.
Monterey Epsom Salts can be applied using three different methods: directly to the soil at the base of the shrub or tree, mixed with water and used as a soil drench beneath the plants, or mixed with water and used as a foliar spray.
Overview
- Corrects magnesium deficiency
- Enhances the color of blossoms and leaves
- Promotes blooms in roses and other flowering plants
- Easy to use
- Approved for organic gardening
14. Winchester Gardens Rose Fertilizer Spikes
Winchester Gardens Rose Fertilizer Spikes is an easy-to-use formula that produces healthy, beautiful blooms. It is formulated with special slow-release nitrogen that feeds at the root, providing long-term nourishment. It comes pre-measured in 10 count package.
Overview
- Specifically designed for roses
- Safe and nontoxic, will not harm plant and soil microorganisms
- Boosts resistance to disease, promoting healthier plants
15. Scotts Rose & Bloom Continuous Release Plant Food
Scotts Rose and Bloom Continuous Release Plant Food is designed to provide nourishment to your flowering plants so that they can produce more beautiful blooms and gorgeous roses. It contains the perfect amount of nutrients andfeatures slow-release nitrogen, which guarantees to continuously feed for up to 2 months.
This granular formula promotes stronger roots and helps flowers to absorb more nutrients so they grow more vibrant and attractive. It is ideal for use on all types of roses; from bare root to existing rose bushes and other kinds of flowering plants. It is safe to use and will not burn your plants when used as directed. A 3 lb. bag covers up to 165 sq. ft. or approximately 40 medium-sized rose bushes.
Overview
- Feeds up to 2 months
- Promote beautiful blooms on roses and all flowering plants
- Easy to use–simply apply directly to soil
- Safe – won’t burn your plants when used as per the prescription.
16. Bio Advanced All-In-One Rose and Flower Care
Bio Advancedpreviously known asBayer Advanced All-In-One Rose and Flower Care is anexclusive formula that feeds and protects against insects and diseases in one easy step. It has balanced rates of NPK and essential micro-nutrients to encourage the establishment of roots, create strong stems and branches and promote greener foliage and numerous blooms. This product provides 6 weeks protection against the common roses and ornamental diseases like black spot. With this product, there is no spraying, just mix and pour this formula around the base of the plant.
Overview
- Easy to use when applied as per prescription
- Promotes blooms in roses and other flowering plants
- The most advanced time release fertilizer featuring
- Approved for gardening
17. Grow More 721729 General Purpose Fertilizer
The Grow More 721729 general purpose fertilizer is a fertilizer that can be used for all plants, tree, flowers and even shrubs. It’s a popular plant food with low phosphate formula which helps in growing more beautiful flowers. This product instantly feeds through the leaves and the roots. This all purpose plant food encourages root growth and can be applied as foliar spray or soil drench. It can also be used indoors for all types of plants or flowers. It’s safe to use, easy to apply and won’t burn your plant or any outdoor living area when use as directed.
Overview
- Promote beautiful blooms on roses and all flowering plants
- No sludge, hazardous or toxic ingredients that will burn the plant.
- Easy to use
- Can be used on all flowering plants
18. Espoma Rock Phosphate Plant Food
Espoma Rock Phosphate Plant Food is designed for organic gardening which helps boost root development. It contains just the right amount of Phosphorous, an essential nutrient that all flowering plants need to ensure maximum growth and promote healthier blooms. It features a pelletized formulation to help reduce dust and to make every application easier. Itis available in 7.25 lb. and 28 lb. bags.
Overview
- Promotes healthier blooms
- Boosts root development
- Easy to use
- No sludge, hazardous or toxic ingredients that will burn the plant.
19. RoseGain 12-6-13 Rose Plant Food
RoseGain 12-6-13 Rose Plant Food is for gardeners who intend to achieve big, bold and beautiful blooms. It provides heightened growing power that leads to strong root development, nutrient rich stems, and large vibrant flowers. This is a slow-release fertilizer with high levels of potassium. Slow-release nitrogen and high levels of potassium create a good growing condition for roses, some perennials and annuals. Apply this fertilizer every 30 days between mid-February through mid-November. Your soil should provide excellent root aeration and be slightly to moderately acidic for best nutrient uptake. RoseGain is great for perennials, annuals and all flowers.
Overview
- Easy to use when applied as per prescription
- Promotes blooms in roses and other flowering plants
- No sludge, hazardous or toxic ingredients that will burn the plant
- Won’t burn the roses or leach away
20. Hi-Yield Rose Fertilizer 6-8-6
Hi-Yield Rose Fertilizer 6-8-6 is an easy-to-use fertilizer for roses that guarantees larger blooms, sturdier stems, quicker and healthier growth. With this fertilizer, expect greener leaves and richer colors with your roses. It can also be applied on both newly planted roses and established plants. This is not intended for nor recommended for container-grown plants.
Overview
- Guarantees larger blooms, sturdier stems, quicker and healthier growth
- Easy to use when applied as per prescription
- Enhances the color of blossoms and leaves
- Can be used on all flowering plants
