Wild rose Plant Care
Rosa rustica Léman
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Rosa stylosa, the short-styled field rose, is a species of flowering plant in the family Rosaceae, native to western and southern Europe, and northwestern Africa. It has gone extinct in Hungary.
Every 4–7 days
Bright indirect
60–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Wild rose?
Water Wild 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 Wild rose Native To?
- Albania
- Algeria
- Angola
- Austria
- Belgium
- Benin
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Botswana
- Bulgaria
- Burkina Faso
- Burundi
- Cameroon
- Cape Verde
- Central African Republic
- Chad
- Côte d'Ivoire
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Djibouti
- DR Congo
- Egypt
- Equatorial Guinea
- Eritrea
- Eswatini
- Ethiopia
- France
- Gabon
- Germany
- Ghana
- Greece
- Guinea
- Guinea-Bissau
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kenya
- Lesotho
- Liberia
- Libya
- Luxembourg
- Madagascar
- Malawi
- Mali
- Malta
- Mauritania
- Montenegro
- Morocco
- Mozambique
- Namibia
- Niger
- Nigeria
- North Macedonia
- Portugal
- Republic of the Congo
- Rwanda
- Sao Tome and Principe
- Senegal
- Serbia
- Sierra Leone
- Slovenia
- Somalia
- South Africa
- South Sudan
- Spain
- Sudan
- Switzerland
- Tanzania
- The Gambia
- The Netherlands
- Togo
- Tunisia
- Uganda
- United Kingdom
- Zambia
- Zimbabwe
What Is the Wild rose?
Wild rose (Rosa rustica) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Rosa genus. Wild rose is native to western and southern Europe, and northwestern Africa. Wild rose is also known as Dog rose, Briar rose.
Wild rose displays a climbing, vining growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Wild rose?
Rosa rustica 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 Wild rose Need?
Wild rose thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Wild rose in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Wild rose Prefer?
Rosa rustica grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Wild rose prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Wild rose?
Well-draining mix with perlite and peat. Good drainage is essential for Wild rose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Wild rose?
Feed Wild 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 Propagate a Wild rose?
Wild 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 Wild rose Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Wild 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 Wild rose?
Wild 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 Wild rose Need?
Wild rose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Wild rose is native to western and southern Europe, and northwestern Africa. In cooler regions, grow Wild rose as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Wild 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.
Wild 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 rustica Léman, family Rosaceae (first published in Bull. Sci. Soc. Philom. Paris 1818: 93 (1818)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Wild 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 13a, calculated from the plant's minimum temperature.
- 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.
