5 Ways to Protect Your Roses From Pests and Diseases

Roses can be notoriously finicky to care for, but what they lack in ease they more than make up for with their fluffy petals, sweet fragrance, and Nancy Meyers-style appeal. Still, as pro gardeners and newbies alike can agree, there’s nothing worse than putting your blood (hello, thorns), sweat, and tears into caring for your rose bushes all season, only to have them decimated in days by a wayward disease or pesky pest.

While there are certain aspects of gardening where you just have to let go and let Mother Nature sort it out, there are several preventative measures you can take in order to ensure your roses thrive and hold their own against whatever the season throws at them—aphids, mold, and curious deer be damn. Below, we’re rounding up five surefire ways to help protect your roses from pests and diseases. Bonus: Many of these methods will also help your blooms grow bigger, bolder, and more beautiful than ever. That’s a win-win. 

Spray Neem Oil

Roses have a fair number of pests that can cause issues for them, including by not limited to aphids, beetles, mites, and thrips. The good news? With preventative treatment, many of these little bothers can stay a non-issue all through your growing season. To keep bugs at bay, spray your roses weekly with neem oil, which will coat the petals and leaves and prevent pests from taking hold. 

Space Them Properly 

Giving your roses the best chance at success starts from the ground up—literally. Location is everything when it comes to these delicate blooms (more on that later), and you’ll want to make sure they have enough personal space between each other and any surrounding plants. By spacing the plants 2 to 3 feet apart, you’ll ensure they maintain enough airflow, which can cut down on diseases and pests that migrate from plant to plant. 

Stay on Top of Weeding

Every gardener knows weeds need pulling, but when it comes to roses, it’s about more than just aesthetics. Weeds can act as a breeding ground for certain pests like grasshoppers, which can quickly cannibalize your bushes and halt bud production. Keep any grass around the bushes cut low as well—basically. the tidier you can keep your rose garden, the better. 

Water Strategically 

To avoid the development and spread of disease, it’s important to water your roses properly. Rose bushes can boast very dense foliage which, if it stays wet or doesn’t get enough air circulation throughout, can easily develop powdery mildew or rose black spot. Water your bushes at the root whenever possible, and locate them somewhere with ample sunlight so that the foliage dries out quickly. 

Deadhead Frequently

Think of pruning your plant like a haircut: The more you do it, the better (and more) your rose bush will grow. Aim to remove any spent blooms frequently, which will push the plant to produce more (in some cases) and keep them from attracting pests or diseases. The same goes for any leaves that are showing signs of illness or disease. Removing them can stop an issue in its tracks, so it's always good practice to keep a sharp eye out—and a sharp set of shears.