What is the Best Fertilizer for your Roses?
With so many types of roses and as many fertilizers as you can count, this can be a difficult question to answer.
This does not have to be a tough question anymore. This article will provide you with the Ultimate Guide to the 10 BEST Rose Fertilizers.
And I recommend scrolling to the bottom of this page to find answers to the 11 most Frequently Asked Questions about fertilizing roses.
10 BEST Rose Fertilizers (Highest to Lowest Price)
#1. Bayer Advanced Rose & Flower Care
- Fertilizer Type: Granular
- NPK Ratio: 6-9-6
- Benefits: Works for 6 weeks, 3 in 1 product, treats up to 32 roses
The Bayer Advanced Rose & Flower Care is the best Rose Fertilizer on the market.
It is a 3 in 1 product that acts as insect control, disease control, and fertilizer.
Some of the insects that it controls are aphids, Japanese Beetles, Lacebugs, Mealybugs, Whiteflies, and Thrips. And it controls black spot, powdery mildew, blight, and rust.
Also, it works up to 6 weeks and treats up to 32 roses.
#2. JR Peters Jack’s Classic Blossom Booster
- Fertilizer Type: Water Soluble
- NPK Ratio: 10-30-20
- Benefits: Measuring Spoon, Highest safety factor
The JR Peters Jack’s Classic Blossom Booster is another great option for fertilizing your roses.
It feeds your roses through both roots and leaves. This is perfect for preventing burning.
It is made with a micronutrient package with optimal nutrition. This makes it perfect for strong roots and green foliage.
#3. Blue Gold Rose Blend
- Fertilizer Type: Organic/Water Soluble
- NPK Ratio: 7-9-8
- Benefits: Organic, Safe, Increases disease resistance
Blue Gold Rose Blend is one of the best organic options on the market.
It is made with proprietary cold-process that can be applied throughout all flowering growth stages.
Not only this, but results are guaranteed for a properly balanced nutrition and amazing results. This means explosive blooms and better roots.
Best of all is that this fertilizer will increase the disease resistance of your roses.
#4. Down to Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer
- Fertilizer Type: Organic/Granular
- NPK Ratio: 4-8-4
- Benefits: Little Needed, Organic
Down to Earth Organic Rose & Flower Fertilizer is the perfect blend of nitrogen for vigorous growth, extra phosphorus for beautiful blooms, and potassium for healthy plant stock.
This fertilizer is made of fishbone meal, langbeinite, blood meal, alfalfa meal, and kelp meal.
Best of all is that it can be used for edible bulbs, roses, and perennials.
#5. Dr. Eerth Total Advantage Rose & Flower Fertilizer
- Fertilizer Type: Organic/Granular
- NPK Ratio: 4-6-2
- Benefits: Made in the USA, People & Pet Safe
Dr. Earth Total Advantage Rose & Flower Fertilizer is a Non-GMO fertilizer made in the USA.
This fertilizer is people and pet safe.
It is made from human and feed grade ingredients, such as multi-minerals, proteins, and carbohydrates.
This is a perfect fertilizer for English Teas, Annuals, Climbing Roses, All Flowers, Mini-Roses, and Perennials.
#6. Miracle-Gro Shake N Feed Rose & Bloom
- Fertilizer Type: Granular
- NPK Ratio: 10-18-9
- Benefits: Feeds up to 3 months, takes the guesswork out of feeding
Miracle-Gro Shake N Feed Rose & Bloom Fertilizer is perfect for beginner fertilizers and gardeners.
What makes this product stand out is that it comes pre-measured, taking the guesswork out of feeding.
This is perfect for new and healthy roses. It is made of natural ingredients like kelp, bone meal, and earthworm castings.
#7. Jobe’s Organics Rose & Flower Fertilizer
- Fertilizer Type: Granular
- NPK Ratio: 3-5-3
- Benefits: Kid & Pet-Friendly, Improves Soil Quality, Fast-Acting
Jobe’s Organics Rose & Flower Fertilizer is an organic and fast-acting fertilizer.
This is a pet and kid-friendly fertilizer.
Best of all is that it is made with proprietary biozone microorganisms that improves soil quality and nutrient absorption.
#8. Espoma Rose Plant Food
- Fertilizer Type: Organic/Granular
- NPK Ratio: 4-3-2
- Benefits: Made in USA, Safe, Organic
Espoma Rose Plant Food is natural and organic with thousands of microbes in it.
This fertilizer is made in the USA and is safe for both humans and the environment.
What you’ll love most about this product though is that it contains all 15 essential nutrients needed for roses to grow and bloom bigger than ever!
#9. Miracle-Gro Rose Plant Food
- Fertilizer Type: Water-Soluble
- NPK Ratio: 18-24-16
- Benefits: Guaranteed not to burn, easy to apply
Miracle-Gro Rose Plant Food instantly feeds your bush for bigger and more roses.
What you’ll love about this product is that it is endorsed by the American Rose Society and is guaranteed not to burn your plant.
Not only this, but it only takes 1.5 pounds of fertilizer per 600 square feet.
#10. Jobe’s Organic Rose Spikes
- Fertilizer Type: Spikes
- NPK Ratio: 3-5-3
- Benefits: Pre-Measured, Organic, Proprietary Microorganisms
Jobe’s Organic Rose Spikes is an amazing organic fertilizer spike for roses and other flowering shrubs.
What sets this product apart from competitors is that it contains Jobe’s Bizome, an extremely aggressive proprietary microorganism that breaks down material faster.
Not only that, but this fertilizer will help increase your rose plant’s ability to resist disease, insects, and drought.
Frequently Asked Questions
#1. What Nutrients Do Roses Need?
Roses need 3 main nutrients to grow and blossom.
- Nitrogen (N) – This helps with root and steam growth and provides a firm base for the plant
- Phosphorus (P) – This helps with roots absorbing nutrients better
- Potassium (K) – This protects roses against diseases and helps with roses flower color.
Roses also need:
- Magnesium – Helps plants better process sunlight
- Sulfur – Provides roses with additional protein, which is needed for a strong life.
- Iron – Helps Roses have a strong base.
- Manganese – Helps roses growth and process of sunlight.
2. What is a NPK Ratio?
NPK stands for the ratio of Nitrogen to Phosphorus to Potassium.
Typically, roses need 3 pounds of nitrogen per 1,000 square feet.
For almost all rose bushes you will want a fertilizer with a 10-10-10 or 12-12-12 NPK ratio.
3. How Do I Choose a Rose Fertilizer?
Choosing a Rose Fertilizer will depend on what you want them to do.
- Bloom Boosting Fertilizer – This is good for blooming roses that die after a short amount of time.
- Strengthening Fertilizer – This is good for roses not budding. This will help roses absorbing water.
- Organic – This will not only help your roses but the soil around it.
4. How Do I Fertilize Roses?
If you want to fertilize roses there are several important tips you should follow:
- First, use a pH tester to ensure your soil is between 6.0-6.5
- Apply fertilizer according to the instructions on the label
- Use only water-soluble or liquid fertilizer and apply more frequently
- Use only liquid fertilizer for mini-roses.
- Watch the below video on how to fertilize roses
5. When Should I Fertilize Roses?
When you should fertilize roses depends on the fertilize you use and the soil.
- Always read the instructions for best use!
- Begin fertilizing when your rose plant has 4 to 6 inches of new growth and 5 to 7 leaves on a stem.
- Apply fertilizer to your roses approximately 2 weeks after your last frost. Ensure the temperatures stay above 40 degrees Fahrenheit and have highs of 60-70 degrees Fahrenheit.
- Stop fertilizing 8 weeks before the first frost.
6. How Often Should I Fertilize My Roses?
How often you should fertilize your roses depends on the fertilizer and soil.
- During the growing season (after the last frost) fertilize every 4 to 6 weeks.
- In the fall apply a fertilizer weekly that has little nitrogen to ensure roots stay strong
Slow-Release Fertilizer does not need to be applied as much. Also, you do not need to apply fertilizer as frequently to loamy soil.
In addition, organic fertilizer does not need to be applied as much.
Liquid fertilizers should be applied weekly. You should also apply fertilizer more if you have sandy soil.
Finally, rotate your fertilize throughout the year. This will provide the right amount of nutrient mix. Using only one fertilizer can potentially build-up too much of one nutrient which will destroy your rose.
7. How Do I Know if My Roses Need Fertilizer?
You will know if your roses need fertilizer if you observe one of the following:
- Yellow leaves, no new growth, and Small pale roses mean your roses need nitrogen
- Dull foliage, falling leaves, and weak flower buds means your roses phosphorus
- Weak stems, poor buds, yellow edges on leaves, or brown leaves means your roses need potassium
8. What Alternatives Can I Use to Rose Fertilizers?
If you do not want to use retail or commercial rose fertilizers then you can use the below alternatives. These alternatives will not only help your plant but the soil around it:
- Epsom Salt
- Kelp Meal
#9. What are the Different Types of Garden Fertilizer?
A) Granular
Granular fertilizer is a dry fertilizer that can be applied with a spreader.
One of the benefits of this type of fertilizer is that you can see the actual fertilizer. You can also see where you have applied it and where it needs to be applied.
This type of fertilizer can be slow-release or quick-release.
Slow-Release fertilizer releases nutrients steadily over an extended period of time. This means you only have to fertilize once or twice a year.
Quick-Release delivers nitrogen immediately.
B) Liquid
Another type of fertilizer for your garden is liquid fertilizer.
Liquid fertilizer needs to be diluted before it can be applied. It can be applied using a canister, hose, or a watering can.
It is easy to apply and is quickly absorbed.
C) Spikes
The final type of fertilizer that can be applied to your garden is spikes.
Spikes are fertilizer in the shape of sticks. This is a slow-release fertilizer meaning it will be released over time. It is directly inserted into the ground!
This is perfect for beginning gardeners.
#10. What’s the Difference Between Organic and Synthetic Fertilizer?
My next tip for deciding on the Best Gardening Fertilizer is simple:
Buy either organic or synthetic fertilizer.
Synthetic fertilizer releases nutrients quickly
- This type of fertilizer comes in liquid, granular, or spikes.
Organic fertilizer releases nutrients slowly.
- It typically is not concentrated meaning that the odds of killing plants are much less.
Below, are my three favorite organic fertilizers.
Jobe’s Organic All Purpose Fertilizer
Conclusion
As a reminder
- All roses should be fertilized throughout the year. Make sure you read the instructions and apply them as needed.
- There are three types of rose fertilizer; Granular, Liquid, and Spikes. Each one meets the different needs of a gardener and you may have to use all three.
- Organic is a great rose fertilizer to be used if you want to improve soil quality and plant quality.
- I recommend getting your soil tested, deciding to use organic or synthetic, and what type of NPK mix you need.
- Any of the above 10 fertilizers are great options. All are reasonably priced, easy to use, and can dramatically improve your rose plant growth and blooms.
- If you want the best success with fertilizing your roses then use several different kinds. Rotate these fertilizers throughout the year for the best success.
- If you would like to use alternatives to commercial fertilizer then purchase Kelp Meal, Alfalfa Meal, or Epsom Salt.
What’s Next?
If you like this article then I highly recommend reading:
Best Raised Garden Beds for ALL Plants
