The Christmas rose prefers to be grown outdoors if you simply let it grow in peace. Caring for it in a pot or as a houseplant is a bit more complicated, but this also shows how robust the ornamental plant, also known as the snow rose or Christmas rose, is.
How do you properly care for a Christmas rose?
Caring for Christmas roses involves correct watering, fertilizing and cutting to prevent diseases and pests. Outdoors, the plants only need a little water and fertilizer, but in pots they require regular watering and winter protection. Only cut back spent flowers and dry leaves.
How often does the Christmas rose need to be watered?
The Christmas rose does not tolerate waterlogging. She prefers it dry outdoors. Watering is only necessary if it hasn't rained for a long time in summer or winter.
You have to water Christmas roses in pots more often because the soil dries out more quickly. Make sure that the planter has a large drainage hole so that excess water can drain away.
You can water with normal tap water. The Christmas rose even tolerates hard water well.
Does the snow rose need to be fertilized?
Basically, you don't have to fertilize the snow rose at all. Only if the plant has no flowers can it make sense to give some lime.
In the open field, it has proven useful to plant a snow rose under deciduous trees and simply leave the fallen leaves as a mulch layer.
How is the Christmas rose cut?
You only need to cut Christmas roses if dry leaves and faded flowers bother you. If you prune the plant, remove the leaves and flower stalks as close to the ground as possible.
If you don't want the Christmas rose to sow itself uncontrollably, cut the flowers before seeds can develop.
Are there any diseases you need to pay attention to?
The Christmas rose is very robust. Diseases almost never occur. At most, leaf disease caused by fungi occurs occasionally. Black dots and greasy spots develop on the leaves and the leaf curls up. Most of the time it is due to the location being too warm and humid.
In this case, cut off affected leaves and treat affected Christmas roses with plant manure from plants such as:
- Stinging Nettle
- Field horsetail
- Comfrey
- Onion
- garlic
What pests can occur on Christmas roses?
Aphids and snails are often found on the Christmas rose. You should collect the pests. If there is a severe snail infestation, a snail fence helps (€89.00 on Amazon). You can fight aphids with lye made from soft soap or fresh nettle broth.
How is the Christmas rose overwintered?
Christmas roses are hardy. Outdoors they do not need winter protection if you spread a light blanket of cheesecloth in the fall. Leaves, grass clippings without flowers or bark mulch are suitable for this.
When caring for it in a pot or bucket, you must protect the planter from the cold. Place it on a Styrofoam plate and wrap it with foil.
Tips & Tricks
In the open field, you should be careful when caring for the soil near a snow rose. Pull weeds carefully and avoid breaking up the soil. This would damage the roots that are just below the surface.
