How to Revive Wilted Roses After Brutally Hot Weather

If the summer heat has left your roses looking limp, don’t give up on reviving their appearance. A rose plant wilting because of intense heat can often be refreshed with changes to the watering routine.

Of course, there may be other reasons why your roses are looking less than perky, so we’ll explore the most common reasons behind a rose plant wilting and what you can do to remedy the problem.

How to Revive Wilted Roses

Rose bushes typically benefit from watering twice per week but in very hot and dry conditions, you may need to water as often as every other day to prevent the bush and blooms from wilting.

But before you turn the hose on your rose bush, check the soil moisture level. Only water when the first 2 to 3 inches of soil is dry to the touch. 

You might also consider adding mulch to the base of your rose bush to assist in retaining moisture and to prevent your rose plant from wilting. Use 2 to 3 inches of mulch material like wood chips, shredded bark, or pine needles.

If your rose bush is planted in direct sun, you may also need to provide the plant with some shade—especially if temperatures frequently climb above the plant’s preferred range of 60°F to 70 F. A pergola or a sun shade sail can help to give the plant some reprieve from intense sun exposure.

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Other Causes for Wilting Roses

If increased watering doesn’t help your wilting rose plant, there may be additional factors to consider. Here are other causes of a rose plant wilting and how to remedy the issue.

• Rose-specific diseases: Disease caused by a fungus, bacteria, or virus may weaken a rose bush and cause wilting. Specifically, powdery mildew and root rot are two of the most common fungal diseases that make a rose plant wilt. If you do notice signs of disease or infestation in your rose bush, act quickly to diagnose and remedy the problem.   
• Too much water: While underwatering is frequently the cause of a rose plant wilting, it’s also possible that overwatering is the issue. Check the soil saturation; it should feel slightly moist and give way easily when you poke a finger through the top 2 to 3 inches.
• Wrong type of soil: The wrong type of soil may be to blame for a wilting rose bush. Add organic matter to the soil to improve its texture and permeability; compost is a good source of rich, humusy material that is nutrient-dense and improves soil texture.
• Lack of nutrients: A wilting rose plant might be caused by insufficient soil nutrients. Test your soil and amend as necessary to improve the available nutrients. If insufficient calcium is to blame, a bone meal fertilizer is a good solution since it contains about 12% calcium content.