The Rose is a symbol of love and friendship and it’s also the national flower of the USA. Rose plants and bushes bring elegance and rich fragrance to many homes and gardens.
With over 100 species Roses can be found in a multitude of different colors too.
But if you overwater your roses then you won’t get to enjoy them in all of their splendor.
What does an overwatered Rose look like?
An overwatered Rose will look dull and unhealthy. On top of this, its leaves might look yellow and begin to fall off. And in severe cases, an overwatered rose will have soft, wilted leaves and a mushy stem.
So, if your Rose is showing any of these signs then you need to readjust your watering schedule or your plant’s environment. But fear not, in this helpful guide, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about an overwatered Rose.
Signs of an Overwatered Rose
Your Roses need water so that they can grow and survive. But if they get too much water, this can cause problems in their roots.
When a Roses soil is continually damp, the roots won’t be able to absorb nutrients or oxygen properly. And this will cause lots of health problems and leave them at risk to root rot.
Root rot is a fungal disease that invades the plant via its roots. And unfortunately, once root rot takes hold, it’s hard to save your plant.
With the first signs of overwatering, your Rose will look a bit sad and depressed. And its leaves and buds will start to look mottled and unhealthy.
An overwatered Rose may also develop white spots on its leaves which are caused by edema. This is when your plant takes in too much water.
Slowly, the leaves of an overwatered Rose will turn yellow and start to drop off. And in severe cases, your overwatered Rose will wilt.
However, rose wilting can be a sign of underwatering too. The difference is that the wilted leaves of an underwatered plant will be dry and crispy. Whereas the wilted leaves on an overwatered plant will be soft.
The symptoms of overwatering are very similar to underwatering. So if you’re not sure if it’s over or underwatering that’s causing the problem then feel the soil.
If you have an indoor Rose then stick your finger in the pot to check the moisture.
For outdoor Rose bushes, you must dig a little bit into the earth.
If the soil around your plant is dry then it’s more likely that underwatering is the problem. But if the soil is wet then this means that your plant is suffering from overwatering.
How to Save an Overwatered Rose
If your Rose has symptoms of overwatering then you should stop watering it immediately, and move it to a sunny place. Let most of its soil dry out before you water it again.
For outdoor Roses, you can aerate the earth around your Rosebush to help it dry out. You can do this with a special tool that spikes, or removes cores of earth from the soil, allowing oxygen in.
However, if your plant is looking seriously ill, or has a mushy stem, then it might be a victim of root rot. And if you think your plant has root rot then you must act quickly.
If you suspect root rot in a potted rose then you need to remove the pot and have a look at its roots. If they’re slimy and discolored then this is a sure sign of root rot.
In this case, you need to remove the affected roots and repot your plant. And you must sanitize the pot before repotting to prevent reinfection.
For outdoor roses that are planted in the earth, treating root rot can be a bit more tricky.
If the affected plant is large, then removing it from the earth and cleaning its roots might not be practical.
In this case, you need to use a fungal treatment on your Roses. But you must identify which type of fungus you’re treating first. You can get advice about this from your local nursery or garden center.
In some cases, you can try transplanting the Rosebush to save it. But you must remove the affected roots before replanting it again.
Rose Watering Tips
Root rot is a deadly disease in Roses and prevention is better than cure. And the best way to prevent root rot is to get your Roses environment and watering routine just right.
Roses like a lot of direct sunshine, ideally six to eight hours per day. So a south or west-facing window, or spot in the garden is ideal for your Roses.
When Roses are in direct sunlight, this will prevent the soil from becoming soggy because the water will evaporate more in the heat.
And you shouldn’t water your rose plants every day. Only water them when the top two to three inches of their soil is dry.
If you have trouble gauging the moisture in the soil then it’s worth investing in a digital humidity monitor.
Roses prefer a good deep watering once or twice a week rather than several light waterings. And generally speaking, Roses will need a little less water in the winter months.
If you’re having a problem with overwatered Roses in pots then you should reconsider their growing substrate and pot. Roses like moisture-retentive yet well-draining soil.
And if your Roses are in plastic or ceramic pots then consider repotting them in terracotta ones. These are porous so water will evaporate quicker in terracotta pots.
Frequently Asked Questions About Overwatered Roses
Can a Rose die from overwatering?
If a Rose has been overwatered for a long time then this can cause root rot. This is a serious condition that can be fatal for Roses.
How can I save an overwatered rose?
To save an overwatered Rose, first, you should stop watering it. Don’t give it another drink until most of its soil has dried out. If your Roses is severely overwatered and you suspect root rot then you need to remove the affected roots from your plant and change its soil.
Daniel has been a plant enthusiast for over 20 years. He owns hundreds of houseplants and prepares for the chili growing seasons yearly with great anticipation. His favorite plants are plant species in the Araceae family, such as Monstera, Philodendron, and Anthurium. He also loves gardening and is growing hot peppers, tomatoes, and many more vegetables.