Drooping, wilted looking roses are a sign that the plant is struggling.
In this article I’ll explain what makes roses wilt and some easy fixes to save your rose bush so it’ll be looking healthy and vibrant again.
This post contains affiliate links. Please read the disclosure for more info.
Always wear gloves and long sleeves when you’re working with rose bushes to avoid nasty scratches.
What causes roses to droop?
Transplant shock
A limp, droopy looking rose that has recently been transplanted could be suffering from transplant shock.
This is a condition where the roots can’t take up water and nutrients properly because they’ve been damaged during transplantation.
To avoid transplant shock it’s best to transplant roses while the plants are dormant.
Before planting your new rose bush in the garden, give it a thorough watering the day before.
This will give the plant time to store enough water to sustain it during the transplantation process.
Not enough water
Rose bushes need at least an inch (2.5 cm) of water each week and even more during very hot weather.
Once roses are established they only need to be watered once or twice a week.
Roses have deep roots so give them a thorough watering so the water can reach deep into the soil.
Overwatering
Rose bushes can also droop from too much water or soil with poor drainage.
You can tell if your rose bush is overwatered because the leaves will turn yellow and droop.
Waterlogged soil can lead to root rot and cause the plant to die so be careful not to overwater your rose plant.
Not enough sunlight
Roses grow best in full sun so that means at least 6 to 8 hours of sunlight each day.
If you notice that your rose bush isn’t doing too well, you may need to move it to an area of the garden that receives more sunlight.
Pests & Diseases
Rose bushes can be affected by many different pests and diseases so it’s a good idea to check your plants regularly so you can take action before the plant becomes unhealthy.
Cankers
Cankers are brown areas on the rose stems that are caused by a fungus called Coniothyrium spp.
If you see any cankers on the stems of your rose bush, cut the stem off immediately and treat the entire plant with a fungicide
Remember to clean your pruning shears with disinfectant after using to avoid spreading the fungus.
Botyris blight
Botyris blight is another fungal infection that can cause rose bushes to wilt and die.
It’s grayish brown in color and covers the stems and leaves.
If your roses are affected by blight you’ll need to prune away any stems that are affected to prevent the spores spreading. Place them in a plastic bag before disposing.
Aphids
Aphids are small, green insects that mostly affect the tips of new growth, leaves and flower buds.
If aphids are left untreated they can cause the plant to wilt and the flowers to become deformed.
To get rid of aphids on roses naturally you can shake the plant to remove them, spray them with a hose or introduce some lady beetles to eat the aphids.
Borers
Another annoying pest that can cause rose bushes to wilt is borers.
They bore a hole into the stem of the rose to create a nest for their young.
If you see a borer hole in one your rose stems, cut the stem below the hole and seal it with glue to stop the borer getting back in. [1]
So there are some of the causes of wilting rose plants.
Once you know what is causing your rose bush to wilt you can effectively treat it.
RELATED ARTICLES
- 10 Rose Alternative Flowers
- 10 Fast Growing Flowers
- 15 Stunning Red Perennials
- How To Care For Rose Bush Roots
- How To Grow Passion Flowers
Have you saved a wilted rose bush in your garden? Let me know in the comments below.
Are you on Pinterest? I have boards dedicated to Flower Gardens and Gardening Tips that you may enjoy. You can also find me on Facebook.
Should I cut back a newly planted climbing rose bush that is starting to look dead?
Hi Demity, yes it’s a good idea to cut back any stems that are unhealthy looking to save the rose.
I have a new 2 month old rose tree one is doing great the other is dying. If I over watered what can we do to bring it back? It did start a sprout at bottom of the tree
My Gertrude Jekyll rose has had to much water and the flowers are dropping. Is there a fix? Thank you in advance
My rose bush has been planted for a month but has started to wilt. It was doing good like the others but now not so much. It has lots of buds, no aphids. How can I save it?