The Christmas Rose is a total showstopper in the winter garden. While it looks like a pretty low-key leafy plant during the summer, it really shows off its true colors once the frost and snow hit. To make sure your Christmas Rose (or Lenten Rose) puts out those stunning white, pink, or purple blooms, it needs a little TLC—and that includes the right fertilizer.
Location and Care
If you’re planning to grow Christmas Roses, pick a spot where they can stay for the long haul. These beauties are homebodies and really don’t like being moved once they’re settled. Even though they’re tough enough to handle ice and cold, they still appreciate a sheltered spot, like under trees or shrubs. This gives them much-needed shade in the summer, and once the leaves drop in the fall, they get plenty of light during the darker winter months. They love well-draining, alkaline soil—if you can mix in a little clay and humus, they’ll be even happier. In the fall, give them a light layer of mulch to help them keep thriving.
You can also grow Christmas Roses in pots or containers. Just like in the garden, a sheltered, semi-shady spot is perfect. You’ll want to care for your potted versions pretty much the same way you do the ones in the ground.
Watering and Fertilizing
Christmas Roses like to stay moderately moist, so water them consistently but sparingly. Even in the winter, give them a little drink on dry days when the ground isn’t frozen. Just be careful not to overdo it—they definitely don’t like “wet feet” or standing water.
When it comes to feeding, twice a year is plenty. As soon as the buds start to develop, work some organic fertilizer (like horn meal or compost) into the soil. Give them a second feeding in late summer. However, if your plants are tucked under trees or bushes, you might not even need organic fertilizer. If you let the fallen leaves stay on the ground in the fall, they’ll decompose into a fantastic, slow-release organic fertilizer all on their own.
Christmas Roses in pots or containers do need a regular supply of nutrients. If you buy them from a garden center, they usually come in nutrient-rich soil already. If you’re potting them yourself, use a high-quality garden soil. Once they start blooming, you can sprinkle a little horn meal on top. Just remember: with container plants, a little fertilizer goes a long way!
