Roses are undeniably beautiful, with their deep red petals and sweet scent. But when their leaves start to turn yellow, it can be a disconcerting sight. The yellowing of rose leaves can be caused by a variety of things, including over-watering or a lack of nutrients. If your rose leaves are turning yellow, it’s a sign that you need to step in and take quick action to save your plant. There are a handful of common reasons for yellowing rose leaves, and most of them have relatively easy fixes. If you’ve caught the problem early enough, there is a high likelihood that you will save your roses!
Reasons why your rose leaves are turning yellow
There are 7 common reasons why your rose leaves might be turning yellow, and all 7 can be corrected with a little bit of effort. They include overwatering, poor soil quality, overfertilizing, diseases or pests, not enough sunshine, and stress.
Improper watering
If you don’t water your roses enough, it can cause yellowing leaves. If you water your roses too much, again, it can cause yellowing leaves. The exact amount of water that a rose needs will depend on the climate and the type of soil it is planted in. In general, roses need approximately 2 inches of water per week. If the soil around your roses is extremely dry, your plant may be dehydrated. Increase the amount of water you offer it. If the soil is extremely waterlogged, it may be suffering from root rot. Decrease the amount of water you provide your roses.
Poor soil quality
If watering isn’t the issue, the next most likely reason is a lack of quality nutrients in the soil. A lack of sufficient iron, magnesium, and nitrogen are the most common deficiencies when rose leaves are turning yellow. Fertilizing roses is an important part of their care. Roses should be fertilized every 2 to 3 weeks during their growing season, which is generally from April to September. When fertilizing, use a fertilizer specifically formulated for roses. Start by loosening the very top of the soil around the rose bush with a garden fork. Follow the instructions listed on the fertilizer you purchase for your roses – this is vitally important, as we’ll discuss in the next section. After fertilizing, water thoroughly.
Overfertilizing
Fertilizer burn in roses is a condition caused by too much fertilizer being applied to the soil. It is characterized by yellow or brown leaf margins, brown leaf tips, and yellowing of the leaves. It can also cause the stems of the rose bush to become brittle. Fertilizer burn is caused by applying too much fertilizer, applying fertilizer too often, or applying fertilizer that is too strong. If your rose bush absorbs too much nitrogen, for example, it can cause yellowing leaves.
Pests
Common rose bush pests include aphids, Japanese beetles, and spider mites. Aphids feed on the sap from the rose bush leaves and can stunt its growth if left untreated. Japanese beetles feed on the foliage and leave behind skeletonized leaves. Spider mites feed on the leaves and can cause them to become yellow and deformed. Treatment for these pests includes using a strong spray of water to knock them off the plant, or using insecticidal soap to kill them.
You can also buy chemical pest killers formulated specifically for roses, but these can damage beneficial insects and organisms as well, so we really don’t recommend it unless you absolutely have to. Introducing beneficial insects such as ladybugs and lacewings can help to reduce the population of destructive pests. If pests have caused major damage to sections of your rose bush, you can go ahead and liberally remove any dead or diseased foliage can help to reduce the chances of pests attacking the rose bush. Destroy the sections of rose bush infested by pests to prevent their spread.
Diseases
The most common disease that can be attributed to why your rose leaves are turning yellow is black spot, which is a type of fungus. Black spot doesn’t always turn your rose leaves yellow, but it has a fairly identifiable symptom of large, black spots and splotches. This fungal disease is highly contagious. If you suspect black spot, remove any infected leaves from your plant and be sure to rake up and destroy any infected leaves that have fallen. A special fungicide formulated for black spot can be used to treat the infection on your plant. Always closely follow the instructions provided on the packaging.
Lack of sunlight
If your rose leaves are turning yellow closer to the base of the plant, it could simply be that they’re being shaded by the leaves above them. This is a normal part of your bush’s growth. If you dislike the appearance of these yellow lower leaves, go ahead and remove them with disinfected gardening shears. If the entire plant is turning yellow, it could be that it’s planted in an area that doesn’t get enough light. Roses need a minimum of 4 hours of direct sunlight every day. Relocate your rose bush to a sunnier spot.
Stress
Another reason your rose leaves are turning yellow is due to stress. Some stress is caused by you, the gardener! But this stress isn’t usually severe and can be easily recovered from. These sorts of stresses include transplanting the plant. Other forms of stress come in the form of extreme temperatures, like very high heat. The use of weed killer or other chemical herbicides and pesticides may also be stressing your plant. Taking an organic approach to growing roses is a good choice.