Are Roses Hard to Grow?

Whitney Laritson | February 14, 2026

Think only green thumbs can enjoy a rose garden? Think again! Unlike the old-fashioned fussy selections grown decades ago, modern roses are hardy, versatile plants that can thrive on neglect. In fact, roses are much easier to care for than you think, especially when you select the right variety for your garden’s unique climate and soil.

From small city balconies to water-wise landscapes, the amazing, versatile rose can be at home in almost any garden.

What Makes Modern Roses So Easy to Grow?

If you’ve been hesitating to start a little rose garden of your own, consider this:

Most modern roses have disease resistance built into the plants. No need to lose sleep over black spot or mildew worries.
Once established, many roses are surprisingly drought tolerant. An occasional deep watering in well-drained soil is all they need.
Many rose varieties also thrive in hot and humid climates. Once considered difficult, growing roses in the Deep South is now an easy possibility.
Roses make wonderful container plants. Yes, it’s possible to grow roses without a garden bed. Plant a couple in pots for your patio or apartment balcony.
Some roses will bloom for months at a time. Old fashioned roses used to only bloom for a few weeks. Many modern varieties, however, will bloom late spring into fall.

Roses Come in a Variety of Forms

Did we mention that they're versatile? Roses come in many shapes and forms, so they're great for any landscape (not just formal English gardens)! Some common forms that you’ll come across include:

Climbing roses
Ground cover roses
Shrub roses
Miniature roses

Foolproof Rose Varieties

If you want to get started, or are just needing a little inspiration, these exciting modern varieties are a great start:

Rosie the Riveter™ Floribunda Rose

For some serious ‘wow’ factor, it’s hard to beat the classic look of floribunda roses. Fortunately, modern cultivars like the new ‘Rosie the Riveter' have all the flair with half of the effort. You will enjoy its golden orange blossoms dipped in sultry pink - and delicious fragrance - just as much as you’ll enjoy not worrying about disease.

Purple Roses

Did you know that a purple rose means love at first sight?

There are many excellent new cultivars of luxurious, elegant and unusual purple roses. In the past, older selections of roses in the purple shades were prone to disease and not always the best plants. Today, with all of the extensive breeding, there are some amazing purple selections of roses with purple, lavender, mauve and lilac colors that grow well and are much more carefree than they used to be. Who doesn't love a purple rose?

Rainbow Knock Out® Shrub Rose

Knock Out® roses are famous for their tough and forgiving nature, and ‘Rainbow Knock Out’ is no exception. This variety features multi-hued single petal blooms that brighten up the landscape all summer long. Like all members of the Knock Out® series, ‘Rainbow’ is extremely adaptable, looking just as good in formal plantings as it does in wild cottage gardens.

Red Drift® Groundcover Rose

Creating a carpet of bright red flowers for weeks at a time, ‘Red Drift’ is a great example of what makes groundcover roses so special. It’s perfect for hilly or rocky areas, and blooms profusely with hardly any care at all.

Autumn Sunset Hardy Climbing Rose

With bright-gold, delightfully scented blooms, ‘Autumn Sunset’ is another one of those rose varieties that is a lot tougher than it looks. If you’ve always wanted a climbing rose arbor or archway, ‘Autumn Sunset’ is definitely worth a try - no green thumb needed.

How to Care for Roses

Despite their fussy reputation, all roses - especially modern varieties - are exceptionally hardy plants. All you have to do is plant them in the right environment. Here’s a quick breakdown of what roses need to thrive with ease:

Plenty of sunlight. If there’s one thing roses don’t appreciate, it’s too much shade. Make sure you plant your rose in a sunny area, ideally with 5 hours or more of direct sunlight.

Plenty of water (but not too much). Roses need a good soaking, but also need time to dry out a bit. Otherwise, the soggy soil will smother their roots and leave them susceptible to mold and other disease. When in doubt, use the finger test: if the soil feels moist 3 inches down, hold off on water for a day.

The right dose of fertilizer. While roses don’t need quite as much fertilizer as they’re known for, these flowering shrubs still appreciate a feeding about once a month during the growing season. Pick a fertilizer that’s meant for roses to make your job easier.

A comfy bed of mulch. For best results, apply plenty of mulch to your rose beds. It will keep the soil temperature more even, prevent weeds, and will stop the soil from drying out too quickly.

Roses have the unfortunate reputation of being hard to grow, but these special plants - beloved for millennia - can be a wonderfully carefree addition to your garden.

Just think, for the same cost as a short-lived bouquet, you can plant rose bushes and enjoy entire seasons of blooms for many, many years. We know what our "true love" would do!

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Frequently Asked Questions

Are roses hard to grow?

No, modern roses are surprisingly easy to grow and much hardier than old-fashioned varieties from decades past. Today's roses feature built-in disease resistance, drought tolerance once established, and many bloom continuously from late spring through fall rather than just a few weeks. They adapt well to various climates including hot, humid regions and thrive in containers, ground cover, shrub, or climbing forms. Start with proven varieties like Rosie the Riveter™ Floribunda Rose and plant in well-draining soil with occasional deep watering.

What is the best time of year to plant roses?

The best time to plant roses is in early spring after the last frost date in your area, typically when soil temperatures reach 60°F consistently. In zones 3-6, this means late April to early May, while gardeners in zones 7-10 can plant from March through early April or again in fall, 6-8 weeks before the first expected frost. Fall planting works well in milder climates because it gives roots time to establish before winter dormancy. Check your local frost dates and plant when nighttime temperatures stay above 40°F for consistent growth.

Are roses hardy?

Yes, modern roses are surprisingly hardy plants that can thrive in various climates, including hot and humid conditions once considered challenging for rose cultivation. Unlike old-fashioned varieties, today's roses feature built-in disease resistance and impressive drought tolerance once established. Many varieties will bloom continuously from late spring through fall with minimal care. Choose disease-resistant cultivars suited to your specific hardiness zone and provide well-drained soil for best results.

How much sunlight do roses need to thrive?

Roses need at least 6 hours of direct sunlight daily to produce abundant blooms and maintain healthy growth. Morning sun is particularly important as it helps dry dew from leaves, reducing the risk of fungal diseases like black spot and powdery mildew. In extremely hot climates (zones 9-11), roses benefit from some afternoon shade during peak summer heat. Choose a planting location that receives morning sun and has good air circulation for best results.

Are roses hard to take care of?

No, modern roses are surprisingly easy to care for and much hardier than old-fashioned varieties. Today's roses feature built-in disease resistance and drought tolerance once established, requiring only occasional deep watering in well-drained soil. Many varieties bloom continuously from late spring through fall and adapt well to various climates, including hot, humid conditions. Choose disease-resistant modern cultivars like floribunda or shrub roses that match your specific growing zone for best results.

Are roses drought tolerant?

Many modern roses are surprisingly drought tolerant once established, requiring only occasional deep watering in well-draining soil. While they need regular moisture during their first growing season, mature roses can handle dry periods much better than their old-fashioned predecessors. For best results, water deeply but infrequently rather than frequent shallow watering, and choose drought-resistant varieties suited to your specific climate zone.

What type of soil do roses prefer, and how do I prepare it?

Roses thrive in well-draining, slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH between 6.0-7.0. Prepare the planting area by amending heavy clay or sandy soil with 2-4 inches of compost or aged manure, working it into the top 12-15 inches of soil. Choose a location that receives at least 6 hours of morning sunlight and has good air circulation to prevent disease. Test your soil pH before planting and add sulfur to lower pH or lime to raise it if needed.

Are rose bushes easy to maintain?

Yes, modern rose bushes are surprisingly easy to maintain compared to old-fashioned varieties. Today's roses feature built-in disease resistance and drought tolerance once established, requiring only occasional deep watering in well-drained soil. Many varieties bloom continuously from late spring through fall and thrive in challenging conditions like hot, humid climates where older roses struggled. Choose disease-resistant modern cultivars like floribunda or shrub roses that match your specific growing zone for the lowest maintenance rose garden.

Are roses resilient?

Yes, roses are remarkably resilient plants. Modern varieties feature built-in disease resistance and surprising drought tolerance once established, thriving in challenging conditions from hot, humid Southern climates to water-wise landscapes. Many roses bloom continuously from late spring through fall and adapt well to container growing when garden space is limited. Choose disease-resistant modern cultivars over old-fashioned varieties for the best combination of beauty and low-maintenance growing.

Are rose bushes hard to grow?

No, modern rose bushes are surprisingly easy to grow compared to old-fashioned varieties. Today's roses feature built-in disease resistance, drought tolerance once established, and many bloom continuously from late spring through fall rather than just a few weeks. They thrive in containers, tolerate hot humid climates, and come in versatile forms like climbing, ground cover, and miniature roses. Choose disease-resistant modern varieties suited to your specific growing zone and soil conditions for the best success.