It might seem like it’s not worth growing mini rose plants if they’re not going to survive that long. It is after a fair bit of time and effort required to tackle the care of roses… or most plants for that matter. So how long do mini rose plants live?
That’s what I’m going to tackle in this article, starting with a summary first.
How long do mini rose plants live? Generally, miniature rose plants live between 5 – 8 years when grown in optimum conditions. Some modern varieties will last up to 10 years. Taking mini rose cuttings does mean you can propagate roses to continue growing them long after the first one has died.
Some types of roses can last much longer. Some climbing roses can live up to 50 years.
Mini roses are, of course, different. They can grow anywhere from 5 inches to 5 feet tall and will bloom throughout mid-spring to early fall for all of the years that they are alive. Being smaller, you might expect their lifespan to be shorter.
However, the flowers and leaves remain small. ranging in size from 1/2 inch to 2-1/2 inches across. It might be that you’ve got a mini rose that you think is completely dead. But that is likely not the case. Read my full how-to guide on bringing a mini rose plant back to life.
Lifespan vs bloom span
So how long do mini roses live … When asked: how long mini roses last, most people refer to the length of time the plant blooms.
But this question could also refer to how many years you can expect your mini rose to bloom. So I’ll be tackling both these aspects below.
If your mini rose plant is simply not blooming, then you need to read my guide on getting your mini rose plant to bloom.
How long do mini rose plants live?
Mini-rose plants on average can live up to 5-8 years, again when given the right conditions.
Although most experience their miniature roses dying in winter as a result of freezing and improper care, mini roses are considered hardy in USDA zones 5 through 9.
This means they can survive outside up to about -20°F (-29°C). That’s pretty low.
So if your plant ends up dying in winter or becomes weak when it’s time for the next blooming season, it’s most likely because they have not been properly winterized. So it’s worth remembering to prepare them for winter where necessary.
How long do the blooms stay?
Generally, all mini roses will bloom and remain in bloom continuously through their blooming season if given the right conditions. As for the blooming season, like their full-sized counterparts, miniature roses bloom from around mid-spring and continue through early to mid Fall.
When indoors, mini roses can stay in full bloom for around 2-3 weeks, after which they need to be taken out to give them greater levels of sunlight, and to keep them in bloom further throughout the season.
During the off-blooming season, especially in winter, they usually enter a dormant stage, which gives them a rest from blooming and helps the plant live longer and remain healthy.
There is also some ever-blooming miniature rose varieties available that bloom all year round, which, however, demand very precise care, especially during winter.
If you are looking to get stronger and longer blooms on your mini roses, then you need to read my 9 tips for better mini rose blooms.
How big do mini roses grow?
There is something of a myth for some people that the term miniature or mini rose literally means they will stay small.
It may be surprising to know, that some climbing mini roses can grow up to 5 feet with proper care.
Generally, micro-miniature roses grow the smallest, as they reach only a maximum height of about 5-8 inches.
However despite the varied growth of the plant, all miniature roses exhibit similar characteristics, and the actual flower and leaves remain tiny, holding true to its name.
Most miniature flowers range in the size from 1/2 inch to 2-1/2 inches across.
Extend mini rose lifespan with proper care
As with any plant, how well they grow and how healthy they remain depends on the condition of care and maintenance you give the plant.
One of the most unique features of miniature roses is that they are the simplest and most versatile roses to grow.
They thrive in pots and also in outdoor gardens very well, with the ability to live for longer. As they are infection and insect-resistant shrubs they promise long-lasting blooms than their cousins as well.
All they demand is a healthy environment to bloom and sustain them for a longer period.
Like all roses, they require at least 6 hours of sunlight to grow as tall as they can. In addition, they also need rich, well-draining soil, and regular feeding.
And as they grow their roots and are not grafted, they tend to dry out quickly, demanding frequent watering.
If this sufficient care is not given, they will likely remain smaller for the full period of their lives, and may not bloom as consistently either.
If your miniature rose is grown in a more winter climate, they need proper winterization. Comparatively miniature roses grow larger and taller in mild climates than those grown in colder areas.
It’s also best to make a note here that while miniature roses can survive temporarily indoors, long-term indoor life is not recommended, as it again can affect the longevity of the plant and how tall it can grow. It’s difficult for them to get their sunlight, humidity, and temperature requirements fully met when indoors.
To know more about how to grow miniature roses outside or to transfer an indoor-grown miniature rose outside, check out my recent article on how to grow miniature roses outside.
Controlling the growth
If you’re concerned about how tall your miniature rose plant should grow to customize it to your aesthetic requirements, then you can do this with regular pruning.
Often people are reluctant to prune roses as they feel it will remove potential blooms – which is ultimately what they want – and limit the plant’s growth. But in fact, the opposite is usually true.
As miniature roses grow into their roots and lost energy is diverted into strong root growth, they tend to naturally produce more canes and stems. This growth pattern makes it easy for you to prune adequately, without detracting from the full bloom you’re looking for.
You can prune miniature roses by shearing off all the tops, or do as you would prune traditional roses.
To do this, just remove all the spindly canes, and open up the center of the plant. Then put a cut on the remaining cane by one-third. Make sure the cut is cut ¼ inch above an outward growing bud.
And don’t worry, this will help the plant direct energy better and will be more beneficial in the long run.
Here’s a full guide on pruning miniature roses.
Selection of size
Whenever you are buying a miniature rose make sure you buy a plant size that matches your intended use.
Indoor plants that grow 12-18 inches tall are pretty ideal. For outdoor use in a mixed bed, try to go for miniature roses that grow a bit taller …in the range of 18 inches to 2 feet (45 – 60cm).
Some miniature rose varieties, like climbers, have a low, creeping habit, which makes them ideal to grow over arbors, Trellis, and archways.
A miniature climber can stretch up to 7-12 feet and scramble up trellises and fences. Find out in my article about rambling roses vs climbing roses.
Micro-roses are a miniature variety that grows anywhere from 5 to 12 inches only, with proportional blossoms that are up to 1 inch in width.
Generally how tall a miniature rose can grow is classified into 2 sizes, the smaller stems about 12 inches (30 cm) tall, and the larger ones about 3 ft (1 m) tall.
You can find a selection of lovely mini roses to try here. Or you can search for the following list of miniature roses, where I’ve added a note on how tall they grow:
- Baby Darling – 12 in (300 mm)
- Baby Masquerade – 15 in (380 mm)
- Bambino – 12 in (300 mm)
- Coraline – 18 in (450 mm)
- Dresden Doll – 15 in (380 mm)
- Easter Morning – 12 in (300 mm)
- Eleanor – 12 in (300 mm)
- Gold Coin – 10 in (250 mm)
- Magic Carousel – 12 in (300 mm)
- New Penny – 12 in (300 mm)
- Perla de Montserrat – 12 in (300 mm)
- Pour Toi – 10 in (250 mm)
- Rosina – 12 in (300 mm)
- Scarlet Gem – 10 in (250 mm)
- Starina – 10 in (250 mm)
- Wee Man – 15 in (380 mm)
- Yellow Doll – 12 in (300 mm)
How long do mini rose plants live ~ More roses help 🌹
Does this answer the question: how long do mini rose plants live? I hope this has at least helped in understanding what length of time, or lifespan, you’re likely to get from your miniature rose. Be sure to check out my other articles. As well as my tools and resources list to grow perfect roses every time!
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.
