How to Revive Roses

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It can be a bummer to see your beautiful roses wilt and droop. They typically start to show signs of decay after 7 days, but there are a few things you can do to perk them up again. Soaking cut roses in a warm water bath, feeding them, and doing regular maintenance will keep them looking fresh and beautiful for longer. If you have a rose bush that’s struggling to hang on, you can revive it by transferring it into a pot and giving it some extra love via water and sunlight.

Method 1
Method 1 of 3:

Rehydrating Cut Roses

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  1. Stop up the drain and turn on the warm water tap to fill a sink or bathtub with enough water to cover the roses. The temperature of the water should be lukewarm or a little hotter.
    • About 5 inches (13 cm) to 6 inches (15 cm) of water should do it.
    • Make sure your bathtub or sink is free of grime and soaps before you fill it with water for the rose bath.
  2. [1] Turn on the faucet until you have a stream of warm water. Position the stem under the stream and use garden shears to slice off at least 1 inch (2.5 cm) of the stem at a diagonal angle. [2]
    • The diagonal angle allows the stem to take in more water.
    • Cutting the stems under warm running water prevents air bubbles from stopping up the stem's tissues responsible for taking in water.
    • If you're bathing the roses in the sink, use a different sink to recut them or, if possible, use the other side of the sink.
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  3. Place each stem horizontally into the bath and push them down so that each rose (the heads included) are fully submerged in the water.
    • This may not revive your roses if they're extremely wilted, especially if the neck shows any signs of shriveling.
    • The idea is that the roses will absorb enough water to be revived.
  4. Clean the vase with a mixture of vinegar and baking soda . Pour out the soiled water and then refill it to just above the water line with tap water, 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (30 grams) of baking soda, and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of white vinegar. Let it fizz and settle for about 30 minutes before wiping away any film with a cloth or bottle brush. Thoroughly rinse the vase before you use it again. [3]
  5. Fill the vase with tap water and then pour in a packet of flower preservative. If you bought your roses or had them delivered, they probably came with a packet of flower food. If you need more, you can buy flower preservative (AKA flower feed or flower food) at any floral shop or grocery store that has a nursery.
    • The roses can take in warm water better than cold water.
    • You can also make your own flower food by using 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of white vinegar and 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (30 grams) of sugar for each 32 fluid ounces (950 mL) of water.
  6. Transfer the roses into the clean vase . Carefully replace each stem 1 or 2 at a time. If the heads are starting to bend, carefully cradle them with your free hand while you replace them.
    • Make sure the roses are placed as vertically as possible to prevent the heads from drooping any further.
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Method 2
Method 2 of 3:

Maintaining Cut Roses

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  1. Fill a bowl with warm water or hold the stems under warm running water as you snip off 1 inch (2.5 cm) from the end of the stem. Cut it at a 45-degree angle to increase the surface area of the stem, allowing the rose to take in more water. [5]
    • You don’t have to snip them under water, but it helps keep air bubbles out of stem and, as a result, increasing the amount of water the rose can absorb. [6]
    • If the stems are super thick and woody, use a pair of sharp garden shears.
    • Avoid using regular scissors or dull blades because they can crush the base of the stem and decrease how much water it can take in.
  2. [7] Transfer the roses to a clean vase filled with water. Wash the vase in hot, soapy water and rinse it well before refilling it with tap water and replacing the roses. If there is grime or film stuck on the sides of the vase, you may want to soak it with water, vinegar, and baking soda for 1 to 2 hours. [8]
    • If your tap water is extra soft, you may want to use distilled water because soft water has higher sodium (which isn’t good for roses).
    • To do a soak, fill up the vase with hot water and add 2 tablespoons (29.6 ml) (30 grams) of baking soda and 2 tablespoons (30 mL) of white vinegar. Let it sit for 1 to 2 hours before wiping the inside with a scrub brush or sponge.
  3. If your roses have leaves near the base of the stem, take those off to ensure they don’t grime up the water with bacteria. Pluck them off with your fingers or use sharp garden shears to clip them off. [9]
  4. [11] Sprinkle in the recommended amount of flower food or pour in 1 teaspoon (4.9 mL) of bleach per 16 fluid ounces (470 mL) of water to prevent bacteria from stopping up the stems. If your roses came with a packet of flower food, look at the back of the package to determine how much to use. [12]
    • The amount of flower food you should use typically depends on the amount of water in the vase.
    • Place an opened packet of flower food in a plastic zipper bag and store it in a cool, dry place.
  5. Put the roses in a spot that is 65°F to 72°F (18°C to 22°C) and gets medium to low indirect light. Keep them away from vents, fans, radiators, televisions, and stoves because drafts and heat will dehydrate the roses. [13]
    • If you live in an area with warm days and cool night, avoid placing your roses where the petals or foliage are touching a window. The hot and cool temperature of the glass can damage the leaves.
    • Avoid putting the roses in a place where they’ll be exposed to direct sunlight, like a window sill. [14]
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Method 3
Method 3 of 3:

Reinvigorating Rose Bushes

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  1. Place a shovel into the dirt about 8 inches (20 cm) to 12 inches (30 cm) away from the base of the plant to make sure you don’t sever the root system. Do this 4 or 5 times on each side of the plant until you can wiggle and lift the entire plant with ease. [15]
    • Once it’s uprooted, the plant will pop out of the ground and rest on its side.
    • If you discover the roots of the plant are eaten away by pests, don’t worry—it may still live even with a few hairs of the root system left intact.
  2. Use garden shears to trim down each of the rose canes until they’re just 6 inches (15 cm) to 8 inches (20 cm) long. Use your fingers to pick off all of the leaves. [16]
    • Think of this as a reset-button for the plant, cleansing it of any bacteria that may have infected the leaves and stems and caused the plant to suffer.
  3. Fill up a 3-gallon (11 L) bucket with water and place the plant in it with the roots facing down. Wait a day before you transplant it into a new pot with fresh soil . [17]
    • Soaking the roots will help rehydrate and reinvigorate the plant’s cells.
  4. Use good store-bought potting soil especially made for roses. After you’ve laid the soil base for the bush, place the bush into the soil deep enough to station it into place. [18]
    • You can buy quality potting soil at any garden supply store or plant nursery.
    • Some potting soil contain different minerals and vary in pH levels depending on the flowers they’re made for, so be sure to choose one that specifies it’s best or roses.
  5. Pour more potting soil evenly around the pot until the entire root system is covered. The top of the soil should come up to the base of the rose canes (the thick, bottom ends of each stem system). [19]
    • Make sure the soil is evenly distributed around the plant.
    • Pat down the soil once you’re finished. If it doesn’t cover the root system, add more.
  6. Put the potted rose bush under a tree or shaded area that will get mostly shade and some dappled sunlight throughout the day. An area that gets about 8 hours of speckled light is perfect. [20]
    • If you have a greenhouse , place the pot in there because it will provide some shade and the humidity will keep the soil nice and moist.
  7. Water the rose bush every other day to keep the soil moist. Check for moisture by sticking your finger down into the top 3 inches (7.6 cm) of the soil or using a soil moisture meter. If it’s damp, there’s no need to water. If you’re using a soil moisture meter, you should water when the meter shows that 50% of the soil is dry. [21]
    • To avoid over-watering, pour in 32 fluid ounces (950 mL) of water at a time and let it settle through the soil so you can gauge how much more you need to add. If you see water trickling out of the base of the pot, the soil is fully saturated and you should stop watering.
  8. Once the root system has stabilized with a little spotty sunlight, move the pot to a place that gets mostly sunlight throughout the day. You can even place it next to the spot where you plan to replant the bush, if you choose to do so. [22]
    • Certain varieties of roses do better with less sun, so check which kind yours are to figure out the best spot for them.
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Expert Q&A

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  • Question
    Can wilted roses be revived?
    Pilar Zuniga
    Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green
    Pilar Zuniga is a Floral Designer and the Owner of Gorgeous and Green, a floral design studio and Certified Green Business based in Oakland, California. Pilar has over ten years of experience in floral design. With a focus on being earth-friendly and supporting local growers, Gorgeous and Green has been featured in Energy Upgrade California, Molly My, Apartment Therapy, 100 Layer Cake, Design Sponge, and Trendy Bride. Her studio provides floral arrangements and gift basket, event and wedding design, and she teaches workshops on flower design and sustainability in her industry. Pilar received a BA in Anthropology from the University of California, Berkeley in 2001.
    Pilar Zuniga
    Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green
    Expert Answer
    Try sticking a needle right underneath the head of the flower. Creating this tiny hole can release any air bubbles that are in the flower, allowing any wilting roses to firm back up. You can also try re-cutting the stems under flowing water. These tricks can help your roses have a better chance of not nodding their heads or wilting over.
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      Warnings

      • While roses aren’t deadly to pets, they can cause gastrointestinal issues (mainly vomiting) if your cat or dog eats them. The greater danger is any mouth or paw trauma that may come from the thorns, so keep your roses in a place where your pets won’t mess with them.
        Thanks
        Helpful 0 Not Helpful 0
      • If your rose bush has thorns, wear gloves to prevent getting cut.
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      Things You’ll Need

      Rehydrating Cut Roses

      • Clean bathtub or sink
      • Garden shears
      • Cloth of bottle brush
      • Uncooked rice grains (optional, for scrubbing vase)
      • Flower food
      • White vinegar (optional, for DIY flower food)
      • Sugar (optional, for DIY flower food)

      Maintaining Cut Roses

      • Flower food
      • Garden shears
      • Hot water and dish soap (for cleaning the vase)
      • Garden shears
      • Bleach (optional)
      • Baking Soda (optional, to soak vase)
      • White vinegar (optional, to soak vase)

      Reviving a Rose Bush

      • Potting soil
      • Shovel
      • Large bucket (at least 3 to 5 gallon)
      • Pot (large enough for the bush)
      • Water
      • Soil moisture meter (optional)
      • Gloves (optional, for thorny rose bushes)

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      References

      1. ↑ Pilar Zuniga. Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green. Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.
      2. ↑ https://ag.umass.edu/greenhouse-floriculture/fact-sheets/harvesting-handling-cut-flowers
      3. ↑ https://bouqs.com/blog/six-ways-to-clean-a-vase-the-right-way/
      4. ↑ Pilar Zuniga. Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green. Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.
      5. ↑ https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-xpm-2014-02-07-ct-home-garden-qa-20140207-story.html
      6. ↑ Pilar Zuniga. Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green. Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.
      7. ↑ Jeanne Walker. Florist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.
      8. ↑ https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-xpm-2014-02-07-ct-home-garden-qa-20140207-story.html
      9. ↑ https://www.rhs.org.uk/advice/profile?pid=186
      1. ↑ Pilar Zuniga. Floral Designer & Owner, Gorgeous and Green. Expert Interview. 12 March 2020.
      2. ↑ Jeanne Walker. Florist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.
      3. ↑ https://www.chicagotribune.com/lifestyles/ct-xpm-2014-02-07-ct-home-garden-qa-20140207-story.html
      4. ↑ https://www.reviewjournal.com/local/local-columns/bob-morris/late-afternoon-direct-sun-can-be-damaging-to-roses-1828463/
      5. ↑ Jeanne Walker. Florist. Expert Interview. 15 April 2020.
      6. ↑ https://www.flowerpatchfarmhouse.com/how-to-save-a-dying-rose-bush/
      7. ↑ https://www.flowerpatchfarmhouse.com/how-to-save-a-dying-rose-bush/
      8. ↑ https://www.flowerpatchfarmhouse.com/how-to-save-a-dying-rose-bush/
      9. ↑ https://www.gardenloversclub.com/ornamental/flowers/roses/best-soil-for-roses/
      10. ↑ https://www.flowerpatchfarmhouse.com/how-to-save-a-dying-rose-bush/
      11. ↑ https://www.flowerpatchfarmhouse.com/how-to-save-a-dying-rose-bush/
      12. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/roses/basic-rose-care/
      13. ↑ https://www.bhg.com/gardening/flowers/roses/basic-rose-care/

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