Photo: Oleksandr ShynderCC BY 4.0via iNaturalistresized / cropped
Obtuseleaf Rose Plant Care
Rosa obtusifolia Christ & Gremli
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
The Rosa obtusifolia is easily identified by its distinctive dark green leaves with sharp serrations along the edges. Originating from the mountains of Mexico, this plant is highly sought after by collectors for its unique foliage and beautiful pink flowers that bloom in clusters.
Every 4–7 days
Bright indirect
60–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Obtuseleaf Rose?
Water Obtuseleaf 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 Obtuseleaf Rose Native To?
- Afghanistan
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Bahrain
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Estonia
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- Finland
- France
- Gabon
- Georgia
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Iran
- Iraq
- Ireland
- Israel
- Italy
- Jordan
- Kazakhstan
- Kenya
- Kuwait
- Kyrgyzstan
- Latvia
- Lebanon
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Oman
- Palestine
- Poland
- Portugal
- Qatar
- Republic of the Congo
- Romania
- Russia
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Saudi Arabia
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- Syria
- Tajikistan
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Türkiye
- Turkmenistan
- UAE
- Uganda
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
- Uzbekistan
- Yemen
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Obtuseleaf Rose?
Obtuseleaf Rose (Rosa obtusifolia) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Rosa genus. Obtuseleaf Rose is native to northwestern Africa, nearly all of Europe, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Obtuseleaf Rose displays a climbing, vining growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Obtuseleaf Rose produces the flowers of rosa obtusifolia are small and pink in color..
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Obtuseleaf Rose?
Rosa obtusifolia 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 Obtuseleaf Rose Need?
Obtuseleaf Rose thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Obtuseleaf Rose in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Obtuseleaf Rose Prefer?
Rosa obtusifolia grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Obtuseleaf Rose prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Obtuseleaf Rose?
Well-draining mix with perlite and peat. Good drainage is essential for Obtuseleaf Rose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Obtuseleaf Rose?
Feed Obtuseleaf 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 Obtuseleaf Rose?
Rosa obtusifolia 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 Obtuseleaf Rose?
Obtuseleaf 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 Obtuseleaf Rose Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Obtuseleaf 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 Obtuseleaf Rose?
Obtuseleaf 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 Obtuseleaf Rose Need?
Obtuseleaf Rose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 5a – 9b. It survives winters down to planting zone 5a. Obtuseleaf Rose is native to northwestern Africa, nearly all of Europe, the Caucasus, the Middle East, and Central Asia.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 5a – 9b
Keep exploring plants
Obtuseleaf 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.
Obtuseleaf 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 obtusifolia Christ & Gremli, family Rosaceae (first published in in Gremli, Excurs. Schw. ed. 4 174.) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Obtuseleaf 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.
- Photo: Oleksandr Shynder, CC BY 4.0, iNaturalist — original.
- Hardiness zone: USDA Zone 5a – 9b, 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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