Roses are thirsty plants and need regular watering, especially this week10:50, 07 Jul 2026Roses are considered particularly thirsty plants and respond well to regular watering, especially during the summer months. Deep, consistent watering helps roses to flourish, ensuring they receive sufficient moisture to produce more stunning blooms.‌During hot weather, plants lose moisture rapidly, leading to wilting, dull foliage and stunted growth.‌Roses grown in containers will also lose moisture considerably faster. If gardeners notice any of these warning signs, their plants may need additional water.‌Watering roses at a specific time of day is also crucial to keeping fungal diseases at bay, according to the Royal Horticultural Society (RHS).Knowing exactly when to water them can be tricky, particularly if you have a hectic schedule.However, where possible, it is advisable to water garden roses — along with many other plants — first thing in the morning.‌This gives the foliage time to dry out over the course of the day, lowering the risk of fungal diseases such as mildew and black spot.The cooler morning temperatures also reduce water evaporation, meaning more moisture is absorbed by the roots.‌Watering during the hottest part of the day can cause droplets on the leaves to scorch, damaging the plant.If morning watering isn't possible, it is better to hold off until late evening, once the sun has set.Bear in mind, however, that watering at this time may attract slugs, which could feast on other plants in your garden.‌According to the RHS, roses are deep-rooted plants that require a generous amount of water during summer to thrive.They said: "When watering, direct the flow onto the soil around the base of the plant, avoiding the foliage and flowers."This also helps to deter fungal diseases and avoid excess water use."Article continues belowOnce roses are well established, they should be watered once a week during dry periods, and it's far better to give them a thorough soaking rather than watering little and often.Regular feeding throughout the growing season can also do wonders for roses, keeping them in bloom for an extended period.