How to Grow Culinary Rose in Australia
A cool-season flower for the long-term patch
Growing your own Culinary Rose is one of the more satisfying things you can do in an Australian backyard. It is rated intermediate to grow. Saves buying rosewater and dried petals. Rugosa hips provide free vitamin C tea all winter.
This guide covers when to plant Culinary Rose in your region, the position and soil it likes, how to plant it, day-to-day care, the pests and diseases to watch, and how to harvest and store your crop.
When to Plant in Your Region
Culinary Rose is a cool-season crop, fully frost-hardy. In subtropical South-East Queensland it is best planted in May, June, July and August. Timing shifts with your climate, so choose your region below for a local calendar.
Varieties to Try
Rosa rugosa (Rugosa Rose)
Tough, disease-resistant. Large, fragrant single flowers. Edible hips rich in vitamin C.
Try: Treloar Roses, Swane's, specialist rose nurseries
Damask Rose
The classic perfume and rosewater rose. Intensely fragrant double flowers. Traditional culinary rose.
Try: Treloar Roses, Swane's, Diggers
Position and Soil
Give Culinary Rose full sun (at least 6 hours a day). It does best in free-draining soil with a pH around 6 to 7. Dig through plenty of compost before planting, and mulch to hold moisture and keep weeds down. It grows happily in a pot of 40cm+, which makes it a fine choice for balconies and courtyards.
Planting
Plant Culinary Rose into a well-prepared hole the same depth as the rootball and twice as wide. Allow about 100 cm between plants (more for full-size trees) so each has room and airflow. Water in well, stake if needed, and keep the area weed-free while it establishes.
Rosa damascena, Rosa centifolia and Rosa rugosa are the main culinary roses. Intensely fragrant petals for cooking, baking and preserving. Only use unsprayed roses. Plant bare-root in winter. Feed and prune as standard roses. Rugosa types are low-maintenance and disease-resistant.
Care
Water consistently, roughly 5 L per plant every 3 days in warm weather, less in cool or wet spells. Feed every few weeks through the growing season with a balanced organic fertiliser, and keep mulch topped up.
Pests and Diseases
Keep an eye out for Aphids and Black spot. The main diseases to watch are Black spot, Powdery mildew and Rust. Good spacing, watering at the base rather than over the leaves, and crop rotation prevent most problems. See our Pest and Disease Guide to identify and fix any issue.
Harvesting and Storage
Culinary Rose is typically ready to harvest within roughly 12 months once established (young plants may take a season or two longer). Dry petals and store in a sealed jar for months. Rose hips freeze well.
In the Kitchen
In the kitchen, culinary rose is good petals made into rosewater and rose syrup, added to Turkish delight and Persian desserts, crystallised for cake decoration and rose hip jam and tea. Nutritionally: rose hips extremely high in vitamin C and petals contain antioxidants.
Companion Planting
Culinary Rose grows well alongside Lavender, Garlic and Chives. Our Companion Planting Guide has the full pairings.
Track Your Culinary Rose Growing
Add culinary rose to your garden in the Planting Season app and get reminders for planting, care and harvest, tuned to your region.
Open the App →Frequently Asked Questions
When should I plant Culinary Rose in Australia?
Culinary Rose is a cool-season crop. In subtropical regions like South-East Queensland it is best planted in May, June, July and August. Timing changes with your climate, so use the calendar above for your region.
How long does Culinary Rose take to grow?
Culinary Rose is generally ready to harvest within roughly 12 months once established (young plants may take a season or two longer).
Can I grow Culinary Rose in a pot?
Yes. Culinary Rose grows well in a container of 40cm+ with free-draining mix and regular watering.
How much sun does Culinary Rose need?
Give it full sun (at least 6 hours a day) for the healthiest growth and best harvest.
See also: Culinary Rose in the Plant Library
