Bare Root Roses Not Growing

It’s frustrating when your new bare root roses not growing after you plant them. You did everything right, or so you thought, but weeks later there’s no sign of life. Don’t worry, this is a common hurdle, and it’s almost always fixable. Let’s look at the most likely reasons and get your roses back on track.

Seeing no growth from a bare root rose can make any gardener anxious. The key is to understand that these plants are dormant, not dead, when you get them. They need specific conditions to wake up and start growing. If those conditions aren’t met, they’ll just sit there. The good news is that with a few checks, you can usually solve the problem.

1. The Planting Hole Wasn’t Prepared Properly

How you plant a bare root rose sets the stage for everything. A poor start can delay growth for months.

Not Soaking the Roots First: This is a critical step. Dry roots struggle to absorb water. Always soak your bare root rose in a bucket of water for 12-24 hours before planting.
Planting Too Deep or Too Shallow: The graft union (the knobby bump where the rose is joined to the rootstock) must be at the right depth. In most climates, aim for it to be about 1-2 inches below the soil surface. If it’s buried too deep, the plant suffocates. Too high, and the roots dry out.
Not Spreading the Roots: Don’t cram the roots into a small hole. Dig a wide hole and gently spread the roots out over a mound of soil in the center. This encourages them to grow outward.
Air Pockets Around Roots: As you backfill, gently firm the soil with your hands and water halfway through to settle it. This eliminates air pockets that can dry out the delicate roots.

2. Watering Issues: Too Much or Too Little

Water is the signal for your rose to break dormancy. But getting the balance wrong is a top cause for bare root roses not growing.

Underwatering

Bare roots have no small feeder roots to uptake water at first. The soil needs to be consistently moist, but not soggy, for the first several weeks. Check the soil daily. If the top inch is dry, it’s time to water deeply.

Overwatering

This is just as bad. Saturated soil pushes out oxygen, causing the roots to rot. They turn mushy and black, and the plant cannot grow. Ensure your planting site has good drainage. If you have heavy clay soil, amend it with compost to improve texture.

3. It’s Still Too Cold (Or There Was a Frost)

Timing is everything. If you planted too early while the ground was still frozen or very cold, the rose will remain dormant. A late frost after planting can damage any new shoots that were starting to swell.

Be patient. Roses need soil temperatures to warm up consistently. If a frost is forcasted after planting, protect the canes with a breathable fabric or a mound of mulch. Sometimes, the plant is just waiting for better weather.

4. The Rose Was Already Compromised

Sometimes the problem starts before the rose even reaches you. Inspect your plant upon arrival.

Dry, Brittle Canes: The canes should be firm and greenish-brown under the bark. If they are shriveled, brittle, and brown, the plant may have dried out in storage.
Mold or Mildew: Look for gray or white fuzzy spots, which indicate poor storage conditions.
Broken or Damaged Roots: The roots should be pliable and substantial. A few broken ones are fine, but if the entire root system is sparse or snapped, the plant will struggle.

If your plant arrived in bad shape, contact the nursery promptly. Most reputable companies will have a guarantee.

5. Not Enough Sunlight

Roses are sun lovers. They need a minimum of 6-8 hours of direct sunlight per day to produce the energy for strong growth. If your planting site is too shady, the rose may survive but will remain stunted and weak, putting out only sparse, thin growth. It might not leaf out at all. If lack of sun is the issue, you may need to consider moving the plant to a sunnier location in the dormant season next year.

Step-by-Step: How to Diagnose a Stalled Bare Root Rose

Check the Canes: Gently scrape a tiny bit of bark from a cane with your thumbnail. If you see green underneath, the cane is still alive. If it’s brown and dry all the way through, that cane is dead. Check several canes.
Check the Roots: Carefully dig down near the base of the plant to examine a few roots. They should be firm and fleshy, not mushy or brittle and dry.
Check for Bud Swell: Look closely at the nodes (bumps on the canes). Do you see any tiny, red or green buds starting to swell? This is a sure sign of imminent growth.
Check Soil Moisture: Dig down a few inches near the plant. Is the soil cool and moist like a wrung-out sponge, or is it dusty or muddy?

How to Rescue a Struggling Bare Root Rose

If your plant shows signs of life (green under the bark, firm roots), you can take action.

Adjust Watering: Correct your watering schedule based on your soil check. Establish a deep watering routine that keeps the root zone moist.
Apply a Balanced Fertilizer: Once you see about 2-3 inches of new growth, you can apply a balanced, slow-release rose fertilizer to give it a gentle boost. Do not fertilize at planting time or before growth appears.
Ensure Proper Mulching: Apply a 2-3 inch layer of organic mulch (like wood chips or compost) around the base, keeping it a few inches away from the canes. This conserves moisture and regulates soil temperature.
Be Patient: Sometimes, the plant is simply establishing its root system first. It can take 4-8 weeks to see significant top growth. As long as the canes are green and plump, have faith.

When to Accept the Plant is Lost

If all the canes are brittle and brown under the bark, and the roots are dry and snap easily or are mushy and foul-smelling, the plant has likely died. If you purchased it recently, file a claim with the seller. If it was your error, learn from it and try again next season. Every gardener loses a plant now and then.

FAQ: Bare Root Rose Problems

Q: How long does it take for bare root roses to grow?
A: Typically, you should see buds swelling and shoots forming within 2-4 weeks after planting in suitable conditions. Substantial growth takes 4-8 weeks. If there’s no change after 8 weeks, start troubleshooting.

Q: Can a bare root rose be dead?
A: Yes, it’s possible if it dried out completely before or after planting, or if the roots rotted. The scratch test on the canes is the best way to check for life.

Q: Why are my bare root roses not leafing out?
A: The most common reasons are improper planting depth, inadequate watering, or cold soil temperatures. Check the graft union depth and soil moisture first.

Q: Should I fertilize a bare root rose that isn’t growing?
A: No. Fertilizer won’t help a dormant or stressed plant and can burn tender new roots. Only fertilize once you see healthy new growth that is several inches long.

Q: My rose started growing then stopped. What happened?
A: This is often called “transplant shock.” The plant used up its stored energy to push initial growth but then stalled while it focuses on root development. Ensure consistent watering and protect it from extreme weather. It should resume growth once the roots are better established.

Getting bare root roses off to a strong start is about attention to detail. By ensuring a good planting technique, consistent moisture, and patience, you’ll greatly increase your chances of success. Remember, gardening is a learning process, and even setbacks teach us valuable lessons for next time.