Downy Rose Plant Care
Rosa tomentosa Hegetschw.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Rosa tomentosa, otherwise known as the harsh downy-rose, is a species of wild rose. It is a shrub growing to about 3 metres (10 ft).
Every 4–7 days
Bright indirect
60–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Downy Rose?
Water Downy 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 Downy Rose Native To?
- Albania
- Armenia
- Austria
- Azerbaijan
- Belarus
- Belgium
- Bosnia and Herzegovina
- Bulgaria
- Croatia
- Cyprus
- Czechia
- Denmark
- Estonia
- Finland
- France
- Georgia
- Germany
- Greece
- Hungary
- Iceland
- Ireland
- Italy
- Kosovo
- Latvia
- Lithuania
- Luxembourg
- Malta
- Moldova
- Montenegro
- North Macedonia
- Norway
- Poland
- Portugal
- Romania
- Russia
- Serbia
- Slovakia
- Slovenia
- Spain
- Sweden
- Switzerland
- The Netherlands
- Türkiye
- Ukraine
- United Kingdom
What Is the Downy Rose?
Downy Rose (Rosa tomentosa) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Rosa genus. Downy Rose is native to Asia Minor, the Caucasus, and much of Europe: the British Isles, France, Central Europe, northern Spain, Italy, and the Balkans. Downy Rose is also known as Apple Rose, Dog Rose.
Downy 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 Downy Rose?
Rosa tomentosa 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 Downy Rose Need?
Downy Rose thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Downy Rose in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Downy Rose Prefer?
Rosa tomentosa grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Downy Rose prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Downy Rose?
Well-draining mix with perlite and peat. Good drainage is essential for Downy Rose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Downy Rose?
Feed Downy 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 Downy Rose?
Downy 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 Downy Rose Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Downy 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 Downy Rose?
Downy 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 Downy Rose Need?
Downy Rose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Downy Rose is native to Asia Minor, the Caucasus, and much of Europe: the British Isles, France, Central Europe, northern Spain, Italy, and the Balkans. In cooler regions, grow Downy Rose as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Downy 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.
Downy 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 tomentosa Hegetschw., family Rosaceae (first published in Fl. Schweiz [Hegetschweiler] 476. 1839 [Feb-Jul 1839]) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Downy 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.
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