I’ve added all kinds of products and ingredients to my roses, and I’m asked the question “do roses like lime?.” So I thought I’d create a post to add my thoughts on the subject.
Here’s a quick summary answer to start with. Then I’ll go on to describe what soil roses prefer.
Roses prefer alkaline soil of around 6.5 – 7.0, so roses like some lime added to the soil as it raises the pH level in the soil to a more comfortable point. When starting your rose bed, add some fine particle lime into the planting hole to give your roses a boost. Then, apply in early spring or fall.
I say fine particles …as this means the lime will dissolve into the soil more rapidly and become effective much quicker.
Do roses like lime?
To get started straight away, you can just get this lime on amazon which is good for roses.
Acidic or alkaline soil for roses
So why do roses like lime? Well, lime is often used to raise the pH of the soil, making it more alkaline. This can be beneficial for roses, as they prefer slightly alkaline soil (pH 6.5-6.8 or even 7.0).
Lime can also help to loosen compacted soils, making it easier for roots to spread and grow. However, too much lime can make the soil too alkaline and actually harm roses.
Image source: Soil Acidity and Liming
How much lime to use for roses
The best way to find out how much lime your soil needs is to have it tested. You can get a simple but really useful pH soil digital test kit from Amazon for this purpose.
As an idea of how much lime to use for roses, if your soil is very acidic (pH below 5.5), you could use around 1.7 – 3.5 ounces of lime per square yard. If your soil is only mildly acidic (pH 5.5-6.5), 0.7 – 1.7 ounces per square yard should be enough.
When to add lime to roses
Do roses like lime all the time then?
Lime can be applied at any time, but it is best to do it in early Spring or Fall. This gives the lime time to work into the soil before roses start actively growing in spring.
For roses in containers, you can lime the potting mix every few months to keep the pH in check. You may not even need to do this that often as I find that soil tends to hold its pH balance quite well in containers.
What does lime do for roses?
Lime neutralizes acidic soils, making them more alkaline. This is important for roses because they prefer slightly alkaline soils (usually around pH 6.5-6.8).
In addition to this, lime also:
- Improves drainage in heavy clay soils
- Reduces waterlogging and helps to prevent puddling
- Makes soil more freely available to plants
- Encourages earthworms and other beneficial soil creatures
- Reduces the risk of fungal diseases such as black spot and powdery mildew
Applying lime to roses
Lime can be applied either as a powder or as pellets. If using powder, simply sprinkle it over the surface of the soil and then rake it in. For pellets, scatter them over the soil and then water them in.
Remember, it’s best to apply lime in early spring or late autumn/fall. And read this about when it’s best water roses.
How to Use Lime for Roses
If you do need to lime your roses, do so in early spring before new growth begins. Apply the lime according to the package directions, then water it well.
Avoid getting lime on the leaves of your roses, as this can burn them.
An example of a bag of pelletized dolomitic limestone to help correct soil pH and add magnesium to the soil.
Do roses need lime?
Most gardeners are likely to be far less fussy in terms of their soil. They will (understandably) follow a few simple guidelines to make the soil suitable for growing their roses, but beyond that, it can get a bit laborious for some.
So do roses like lime? Yes … So if going into any great detail is not for you, then maybe just give the soil a cursory check for the pH balance.
So in essence, no, you do not need to use lime for roses. They will likely do well in most types of soil provided it drains well, is loamy soil, and has good organic matter mixed in.
Really, adding lime is something additional you can do and would likely do if you were looking for optimum growing conditions and health for your roses.
What if the soil is already alkaline?
If your soil is above pH 7.0 to 7.5, then it is already alkaline. In this case, adding lime would do more harm than good as it would further increase the pH of the soil.
You should get a soil test done to check the current pH of your soil before making any decisions about whether or not to add lime. Here’s the info you need on the best NPK ratio for roses.
Sometimes you can kill your roses with too much product, and too much love. “If in doubt, then leave it out” is a good mantra to follow.
I added too much lime to my roses!
If you’ve applied some lime to your roses, and you think you’ve added too much, then there are a few things you can do.
- Wait and see if the lime will work its way into the soil on its own. This could take a few weeks or even months, but it’s worth a shot.
- Try to dilute the effects of the lime by adding more organic matter to the soil. This could be in the form of compost, manure, or even just some extra topsoil.
- If the leaves of your roses start to turn yellow, then you can try spraying them with a solution of water and vinegar. This will help to lower the pH of the leaves and make them more acidic.
It’s also worth noting that lime is not a miracle product, it’s designed to be used over time. So, if you do decide to use it, make sure to do so gradually, in reasonable measure, and on a regular basis. This way, you’ll see the best results.
When NOT to use lime for roses
There are some general guidelines on when you probably shouldn’t use lime on your roses, here are the main times:
- If your roses are already growing in alkaline soil
- When your roses are already growing just fine in acidic soil
- Soon after you have recently applied fertilizer to the soil
- If you simply do not want to change the pH of the soil
- If you do not want to use lime on a regular basis (i.e. once per year)
Ultimately, if your roses are already growing in alkaline soil, there is no need to add lime. In fact, it could do more harm than good because lime will make alkaline soils even more alkaline.
The same goes for roses that are already growing just fine in acidic soil. If the pH of the soil is not causing any problems for your roses, there is no need to change it.
Adding a lot of lime to acidic soil can make it too alkaline and harm the plants with the dramatic change in pH levels from what they’ve become used to.
Do roses like lime ~ More roses help 🌹
So, the answer to the question “do roses like lime” is that it depends on the existing pH of the soil and whether or not your roses are already growing well in it.
Lime, for the most part, is a “maintenance” tool for adjusting soil pH. And most of the time it’s pretty optional. Here is the link to the lime again if you need it. And happy growing!
I hope this has helped cover the use of lime for roses in enough depth for you. Be sure to check out my recommended gear, and check out some other related articles below based on what you can add to your roses to give them a great start!
Check out my favorite and often free rose treatment.
Hi, I’m Michael. My passion for roses was sparked a few years ago after visiting a dedicated community rose garden. So Rosehow.com represents my take, my learnings, and my help for anyone looking to grow, be proud of, and harvest roses.