Yes, we’re talking about human urine being used as a fertilizer. Is human urine good for roses? Well, that’s what I’m going to discuss in this article …yep. So for once I kind of really am taking the urine!
First, though, let’s start with a quick answer, then we’ll get into some of the details.
Roses love urine. Urine is high in nitrogen and urea, which includes a large amount of potassium and phosphorous. These amounts are higher than retail fertilizer. To use for roses. Mix 1 cup of urine to 8 cups of water (ratio 8:1) in a watering can and spray around your roses in early Spring.
Who would have thought it! But then animals constantly urinate in the wild, and it hasn’t created a barren landscape because of it, so it’s perhaps not so surprising.
But as human urine is good for roses, at least it means you won’t need to chase animals around with a bucket! So let’s get more into it.
Why is human urine good for roses?
So the simple answer is yes. Urine is packed with nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorus, which are all essential nutrients for plants.
In addition, urine also contains small amounts of other micronutrients that plants need to thrive. These include magnesium, calcium, and sulfur.
Urine is 91-96% water anyway, so in effect, the “fertilizer” element is of a good ratio with the mix we use, but we’ll go into that in a bit more detail shortly.
So what does this mean for your roses?
Well, using urine as a fertilizer will give them a quick boost of nitrogen, which is great for leaf and stem growth.
Potassium and phosphorus are important for root development, flower production, and blooms.
In general, urine is an effective fertilizer for roses and other plants. It’s a great way to give them a quick boost of essential nutrients. And it’s completely free!
However, it’s important to remember that too much of anything can be a bad thing. Urine is no exception.
While the nutrients in urine are great for roses, the high concentration of nitrogen can burn their roots if you’re not careful.
Also, beyond the water content in urine, the remainder is made up largely of urea, inorganic salts, natural compounds, and organic ammonium salts. As well as some hormones and an array of metabolites.
These additional substances will vary depending on what you consumed.
The ideal ratio of water to urine mix
In general, a ratio of between 8 and 10 parts water to 1 part urine is a good starting point.
You can also add some compost or other organic matter to the mix to help balance out the nutrients.
If you’re looking for an alternative to using human urine on your roses, consider using manure instead.
It’s a great way to give them the nutrients they need without risking burning their roots. Read my article all about using horse manure for roses – it’s one of my favorites to use!
When should you add urine to roses?
The best time to add urine to roses is in the early Spring …before they start putting on new growth. This will give them a boost of nitrogen and help them produce more leaves and blooms.
You can also add human urine to roses in the Fall, which may help them recover from the summer heat and prepare for winter.
But beware, nitrogen could potentially cause a growth spurt which will make the rose bush more susceptible to damage from the cold during Winter.
How often should you apply urine to roses?
Is human urine good for roses – yes, but for optimum results, apply a urine and water mix to roses every two weeks or so. This will give them a steady supply of nitrogen and other nutrients without overwhelming their roots.
So if you’re looking for an organic way to fertilize your roses, human urine is a great option. It’s high in nitrogen and other nutrients that roses need. It’s also completely natural and great for the environment!
How to apply urine to your roses
There are a few things to keep in mind when using urine as fertilizer, though.
- It’s important to water your plants before applying urine. This will help to dilute the concentration of nutrients and prevent any potential burning.
- It’s best to use fresh urine that’s less than 24 hours old. Older urine contains higher quantities of bacteria and can potentially harm your plants.
- To apply, simply add your 8 or 10 parts water to 1 part urine mix into a watering can, and water around the base of each rose plant.
- You could urinate directly around the base of each plant. But this is a high concentrate, so it may actually harm your roses, certainly younger roses. So if you do, then be sure to avoid getting urine on the leaves, as this can cause leaf burn.
- Water the area, and the plants, once more shortly after applying. This will provide a rinse from the urine, help remove any odor, and avoid any other issues.
Pros and cons of using human urine for roses
So is human urine good for roses? Well, there are some pros and cons to using human urine as a fertilizer for roses. Here’s a roundup.
Pros
- The main pro is that it is free. And if you produce it (I assume you do!), then there is an endless supply.
- It is also natural, so there are no chemicals or other pollutants that could harm your plants.
Cons
- It could attract animals. If you live in an area with deer or other wildlife, and vermin too. Then they may be attracted to the salt and nitrogen in your urine and decide to make a meal of your roses!
- There is an amount of salt in urine too that could potentially damage your plants if you use it too frequently. This is also why we dilute it.
- Another possible downside is the smell. Obviously, this will depend on how much you dilute the urine, but if it is diluted sufficiently, and if you water after spraying then this should not be an issue.
- Lots of people love to smell a rose up close, and, well, you know!
So think of it as donating to nature, it’s free, enjoyable, and …makes you feel good. But you don’t need to go mad with your ‘contributions!’
What about animal urine for roses?
It’s not just human urine that can be used as a fertilizer for roses. Animal urine can also be effective, although it’s not quite as potent as human urine. Cow, horse, dog, and rabbit urine all contain good quantities of nitrogen.
One downside to using animal urine as a fertilizer is that it can attract animals to your rose garden. If you have problems with deer or rabbits in your garden, you might want to steer clear of this type of fertilizer.
Is human urine good for roses ~ More roses help 🌹
So there you have it, I hope this answers the question – is human urine good for roses. And the facts about using human urine as a fertilizer for roses. In the end, it is up to you to decide whether or not you want to try it.
If you do, just be sure to take a few sensible precautions to ensure that your plants are not harmed in any way. And …maybe …let people know if they go to smell your roses!
Check out my recommended tools and resources page, and here are some related articles you might like…
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.
