PlantFun
Plant Needs
Sunlight
Requires at least 6 hours of direct daily sunlight for optimal blooming; tolerates light afternoon shade in hot climates
Watering
Water deeply when the top 5 cm of soil is dry; avoid overhead watering to reduce risk of foliar diseases
Temperature
Hardy to USDA zone 4; tolerates cold winters and warm summer heat with consistent moisture
Characteristics
- Leaf: Glossy dark green oval leaves with serrated margins; disease-resistant foliage
- Flower: Semi-double paprika-red blooms, 5–7 cm diameter, in clusters of 3–5 flowers
- Stem: Thorny, moderately branched stems forming dense mounding shape
Care Guide
Watering
Water deeply once weekly; increase to twice weekly during extreme heatwaves
Fertilization
Apply balanced granular rose fertilizer once in early spring. Avoid over-fertilizing to prevent excessive foliage growth at the expense of blooms
Composted banana peel tea：Soak fully composted banana peels in water for 24 hours; dilute 1:20 with water for root drenching to promote floweringPruning
- Deadhead spent blooms regularly to encourage continuous repeat flowering
- Prune back 1/3 of total growth in late winter to promote dense new branching
- Remove dead, diseased, or crossing stems throughout the growing season to maintain plant health
Toxicity
Warning: this plant may be toxic.
Pets & Humans
Pets: ASPCA: Non-toxic; ingestion causes no adverse health effects
Humans: No known toxicity to humans; petals are safe for occasional culinary use in small quantities
Garden Uses & Culture
Culture: Symbolizes love and passion; compact size makes it ideal for small urban gardens
Usage: Ornamental garden shrub, container planting, and cut flower arrangements
