The Perfect Accent -- Miniature Roses

 Indoors or out, you'll find miniature roses very easy to grow. These little guys sometimes get overlooked because they give off little fragrance, yet they can be the perfect visual accent to any home or garden.

Compared to their full-sized cousins, miniature roses are practically maintenance-free. Just give them a "bath" once a week, and they'll last forever.

Small is Comparative

A common misconception about miniature roses is they will make ideal houseplants. Before moving them indoors, realize that miniature roses can grow up to 4 feet in height. This large houseplant will need a very generous source of light. The micro-mini roses, however, only grow to about 5 inches tall and are just as easy to maintain.

If you're determined to have miniature roses indoors, there are several tips that will make caring for them easier.

Planting Indoors

Place your plant in direct sunlight. They flourish in the sunniest windows of your home. If the stems appear to stretch out, leaving wide gaps between the leaves, your rose is not getting enough light. Either move the plant to a new location or provide supplemental light.

Make sure to bathe your plant weekly. Spraying will reduce the risk of a spider-mite attack. Gently mist the tops and undersides of the leaves. The spray also removes dust.

Make sure that your plant looks comfortable in its pot. If the pot is too small, the plant will be cramped. If too large, your roses will be reluctant to grow.

Planting Outdoors

Outdoors, most miniature roses bloom from spring until the winter. If covered with mulch, it will have a good chance of surviving frost and cold winters. You can plant your roses directly into the ground, a hanging basket, or in an 8 to 10 inch pot. Make sure your plant isn't shaded by large trees or anything that will cast a shadow. These little plants love direct sunlight.

If you choose to plant your roses directly into the ground, dig a hole about 1 foot in depth and diameter. Take your rose out of its pot and gently untangle any loose roots. Place the roots down into the hole. Refill the hole with loose soil, so that your miniature roses are level with the top of the ground. Water your plant thoroughly. These same rules apply to potting your plant.

Water Faithfully

Don't let the soil dry out. The first 3 weeks are crucial to any plant's health. Water every day for those 3 weeks. These roses do enjoy their water! After the 3-week period is over, your goal is to just keep their soil moist. Check the soil daily -- If it feels dry, give it a little water.

Miniature roses will look great in your living room, along the edges of your flower beds, or anywhere your home or garden needs a little burst of color.
About the Author

Ron King is a full-time researcher, writer, and web developer. Visit Grow-Roses-Now to learn more about this fascinating hobby.

Copyright 2005 Ron King. This article may be reprinted if the resource box is left intact.

 Ron King

More Articles 

Ledazzle - John Francis
If you want a brighter, cheerier holiday home display, try LED Christmas lights. It's a fact that LED lights are brighter. Rust is another factor in your choosing non-replaceable LED Christmas lights rather than the standard string of Christmas...

The Advantages Of Using Teak Furniture - Napton Teaks
Teak is truly a “super” wood. Its many qualities make it an attractive choice when people are buying their furniture, for either inside or outside. Durability Teak is a dense, coarse, close-grained hardwood. It contains naturally high levels of...

Preventing Fire Damage Outdoors - Jonathan Meyer
As you inspect your home, trying to fire proof it, you must keep in mind that your outdoors area is also a part of your home. Do not forget to inspect your patio, back yard, roof and garden when trying to minimize fire hazards as these places are...

Outdoor Kitchen Introduction - Daniel Roshard
An Outdoor Kitchen is a fabulous addition to a house, it is something that will change your house completely. Outdoor Kitchens are becoming more and more popular, the change is mainly due to the fact that a lot of people are trying to upgrade the...

Grilling, Gardening or Storm Watching: Thermometers Provide the Numbers You Need - ARA Content
(ARA)- To make the most of outdoor activities, people need more information: the temperature, humidity, barometric pressure, and whether any storms are lurking over the horizon. Fortunately, there are thermometers that fit the bill for...

Indoor Gardening Tips - Kadence Buchanan
Even if you're not an avid gardener or flower lover, the sight of a well-maintained indoor garden is impressive. However, if you've tried your hand at indoor gardening, it's not as easy as bringing the plants indoors. Here are some tips to start...

Outdoor Kitchen Islands - Bianca Bartegi
Kitchen islands have long been loved for extra cooking and storage space in the kitchen. Now they are available for outdoor cooking and entertaining. An island outside is very functional for cooking and eating outdoors in nice weather. It also...

Five Ways to Create a Healthy Home - Lesley Dietschy
Have you ever thought of your home as being healthy or unhealthy? While the concept of a healthy home may be new to some of us, it is steadily gaining popularity with homeowners. A healthy home can include a number of elements from building...

Home Sweet Home - Kadence Buchanan
Today's home owners are more and more willing to invest in purchasing outdoor lighting items, since they can be used to improve the general look of a house as well as incorporate the outdoor with the indoor living space. Improving the external...

Family Health - Investing In An Ionic Air Purifier - John Elrow
According to the American College of Allergists, polluted indoor air causes or contributes toward ½ of all illnesses. For families with two or more children who all have the potential of contracting a variety of illnesses throughout the...

Prefabricated Homes Primer - Diane Takahashi
This is by no means an exhaustive list of what's available in the area of prefabricated homes and buildings. This article is to introduce you to the world prefab. If you're in the industry, you'll probably be cringing about now at the word "prefab"....

Descriptive Terms In Real Estate Ads – Yet More Definitions - Raynor James
If you are buying or selling a home, the chances are good you struggle with the meaning of descriptive real estate terms. Here are explanations and definitions for more terms. “Plantation Shutters” Refers to interior shutters with large,...