Tea Rose Plant Care
Rosa ×odorata (Andrews) Sweet
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Rosa × odorata or Rosa odorata is a hybrid flowering plant of the genus Rosa native to Yunnan in southwest China, whose taxonomy has been confused. It has been considered a hybrid of Rosa gigantea and Rosa chinensis, or as a quite rare wild species that includes R.
Every 4–7 days
Bright indirect
60–75°F
40–70%
At a glance
How do you care for Tea Rose?
Water Tea 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 Tea Rose Native To?
What Is the Tea Rose?
Tea Rose (Rosa ×odorata) belongs to the Rosaceae family within the Rosa genus. Tea Rose is native to Yunnan in southwest China, whose taxonomy has been confused. Tea Rose is also known as Odorata Rose.
Tea 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 Tea Rose?
Rosa ×odorata 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 Tea Rose Need?
Tea Rose thrives in bright indirect light. Avoid placing Tea Rose in direct, harsh sunlight for extended periods, as this can scorch the foliage.
Light Requirement
Bright indirect
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Tea Rose Prefer?
Rosa ×odorata grows best at temperatures of 60–75°F. Tea Rose prefers humidity levels of 40–70%.
Temperature
60–75°F
Humidity
40–70%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Tea Rose?
Well-draining mix with perlite and peat. Good drainage is essential for Tea Rose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Tea Rose?
Feed Tea 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 Tea Rose?
Tea 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 Tea Rose Toxic to Pets and Children?
Pet safety not verified
The ASPCA does not list Tea 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 Tea Rose?
Tea 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 Tea Rose Need?
Tea Rose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13a. It survives winters down to planting zone 13a. Tea Rose is native to Yunnan in southwest China, whose taxonomy has been confused. In cooler regions, grow Tea Rose as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.
Hardiness Zone
Zone 13a
Keep exploring plants
Tea 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.
Tea 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 ×odorata (Andrews) Sweet, family Rosaceae (first published in Hort. Suburb. Lond. : 119 (1818)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Pet safety not verified: the ASPCA does not list Tea 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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