Early Dog Rose Plant Care
Rosa maialis Desf.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
This plant is easily recognizable by its delicate pink flowers with a strong fragrance. Originating from Europe and Western Asia, Rosa maialis is highly sought after by plant collectors for its historical significance and its use in creating hybrid roses with unique characteristics.
Every 4–7 days
Bright indirect
60–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Early Dog Rose?
Water Early Dog Rose every 4–7 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it bright indirect light. It prefers temperatures of 60–75°F (16–24°C) and 40–70% humidity. Fertilize it every 4 months during the growing season.
Where Is the Early Dog Rose Native To?
- Albania
- Austria
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Early Dog Rose?
Early Dog Rose (Rosa maialis) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Rosa genus. Early Dog Rose is native to forests of Europe and Siberia. Early Dog Rose is also known as Plum Rose.
Early Dog Rose displays a climbing, vining growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Early Dog Rose produces the flowers of "rosa maialis" are small, pink, and delicate..
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Early Dog Rose?
Rosa maialis requires watering every 4–7 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 4–7 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Early Dog Rose Need?
Early Dog Rose thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Early Dog Rose in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Early Dog Rose Prefer?
Rosa maialis grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Early Dog Rose prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Early Dog Rose?
Well-draining mix with perlite and peat. Good drainage is essential for Early Dog Rose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Early Dog Rose?
Feed Early Dog Rose every 4 months during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every 4 months
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Early Dog Rose?
"Rosa maialis" should be repotted every 2-3 years in the spring.. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Early Dog Rose?
Early Dog Rose can be propagated through stem cuttings or division. Similar propagation techniques also apply to rose bush plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Early Dog Rose Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Early Dog Rose, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Keep pets from chewing it as a precaution.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Early Dog Rose?
Early Dog Rose is susceptible to mealybugs, spider mites. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.
Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.
What USDA Hardiness Zone Does the Early Dog Rose Need?
Early Dog Rose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 3a – 7b. It survives winters down to planting zone 3a. Early Dog Rose is native to forests of Europe and Siberia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 3a – 7b
Keep exploring plants
Early Dog Rose is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Rosa genus — compare its care with other Rosa species on PlantoScan.
Rosa is part of the Rosaceae plant family — browse all Rosaceae genera and species.
Early Dog Rose thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Rosa Species
Other Rosa species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Rosa maialis Desf., family Rosaceae (first published in Fl. Atlant. 1: 400 (1798)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Early Dog Rose, so we can't confirm whether it is safe for cats and dogs. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 3a – 7b, estimated from the plant's typical growing conditions.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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