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Are your rose leaves turning red? Red leaves on a rose bush can be normal to the growth pattern of the bush, however, this can also be a warning sign of big problems. It is good for the rose-loving gardener to know the difference between normal growth and the warning of a big problem that has come to your home garden or rose bed. Keep reading to learn more about what causes leaves to turn red on roses.
Rose bushes are beloved additions to many gardens. Their vibrant blooms come in a rainbow of colors and fill the air with a lovely fragrance. However, rosarians may become alarmed when the leaves on their prized rose plants turn red as this can indicate a problem. Red foliage on roses can result from natural growth patterns, environmental stresses nutrient deficiencies, or disease. Knowing the potential causes helps gardeners address issues and nurture healthy, flourishing rose bushes.
New Growth
The first cause of red leaves to rule out is new growth. Many rose varieties naturally emerge with deep reddish or purplish young leaves when putting out fresh shoots after pruning. The red pigments help protect the tender new foliage from sun damage as it hardens off. As the leaves mature they typically fade to green, though some varieties retain reddish veining or edges throughout the season. This red juvenile foliage is completely normal and shows the plant is actively growing. Pruning encourages new red shoot development.
Environmental Triggers
While red young leaves are harmless, if mature foliage abruptly turns red, it may signal environmental stresses. Common causes include
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Cold Weather – Early frosts or extreme winter chill can injure rose leaves. Damaged areas first appear reddish, later yellowing as tissue dies. Protect plants from severe cold.
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Heat – Intense sun and hot spells can scorch or sunburn rose leaves, making edges red or brown. Filtered light prevents this.
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Herbicide Drift – Exposure to drifting 2,4-D or other herbicides can make leaves twist, distort, and redden. Shield roses when spraying nearby.
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Drought – Lack of moisture stresses plants. Leaves may shrivel, wilt, and turn red until watered. Deep weekly watering prevents this.
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Nutrient Deficiency – Shortages of nitrogen, phosphorus, iron, or magnesium occasionally show as red leaves. Fertilize regularly to avoid low nutrients.
Disease
Certain rose diseases also lead to red foliage, including:
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Rose Rosette – This lethal virus causes distorted red leaves, excessive thorns, and witches’ broom growths. Remove and destroy affected plants immediately.
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Downy Mildew – This fungal infection results in mottled yellowish-red leaves with dark undersides. Apply appropriate fungicides promptly.
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Rust – Rust fungi cause yellow-orange leaf spots above with rusty-red spores below. Use labeled fungicides to treat.
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Black Spot – Though mainly causing dark spots, this fungus can sometimes turn whole leaves red before they yellow and drop. Employ preventative fungicides.
Solutions for Red Roses
When rose leaves redden, identify the trigger. Enjoy red on new growth. Mitigate environmental stresses. Treat diseases as needed. Ensure ideal growing conditions:
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Water thoroughly around 1-2 inches weekly
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Mulch to conserve moisture and stabilize soil temperature
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Fertilize regularly with balanced rose food
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Monitor for pests like aphids, mites, and thrips
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Prune lightly often to encourage vigorous growth
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Scout for diseases and treat early
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Protect from temperature extremes
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Rule out herbicide exposure if leaves are distorted
With proactive care, most red rose leaves can be prevented. But some red on new growth is natural, signaling the incredible blooms to come!
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do the edges of my rose leaves turn red?
Red margins on older leaves often indicate sunscald, especially in hot climates or southern exposures. Providing afternoon shade helps prevent this. Adequate watering is also important.
Why are knockout rose leaves turning red?
Knockouts can get Rose Rosette disease. Watch for distorted growth and too many thorns along with red leaves. Remove and dispose of affected plants immediately to prevent spreading.
My rose leaves are red in winter – is this normal?
Some redness from winter cold is expected after hard freezes. But excessive leaf drop indicates too much cold damage. Provide more protection like hilling up dirt or wrapping plants next winter.
Could my red spotted yellow leaves be black spot?
Black spot typically causes defined dark spots, not overall red leaves. But advanced infections sometimes lead to red foliage as the plant weakens. Try appropriate fungicides and increase air circulation.
What nutrient deficiency causes red roses?
Phosphorus deficiency can result in reddish-purple discolored leaves. Fertilize regularly with a balanced rose food containing phosphorus. Test soil to see if phosphorus is lacking.
The Bottom Line
While red rose leaves can be concerning, this guide will help diagnose the cause, whether it’s natural growth, environmental factors, or disease. Focus on providing the best care through proper planting, watering, fertilizing, pruning, and pest control. Then you can relax and enjoy the splashes of red as harbingers of the voluptuous blooms to come.
When a Rose Bush with Red Leaves is Normal
The new foliage of many roses starts out a very deep red to nearly purple in color. From this new growth comes the forming of buds and future beautiful blooms. Every time we deadhead our roses (remove the old blooms), we will see this new foliage coming forth. Its rich and healthy coloration is truly a joy to see, as we know blooms will soon follow and we also know the bush is happy and healthy. The deep red foliage will typically change over to either a deep or light green color as the new foliage ages. On some roses, the deep red coloration of the leaves tends to move to the outer edges of the leaf and stays there. It may appear that the edges of the leaves are burned in some manner. Taking a closer look we will see that there is a nice glisten to the outer edges of the leaves that matches the green portion of the leaf or leaves. The textures of the two areas and that little glisten tell us that things are okay. If the darker edges of the leaves appear dry or broken, however, it could be heat stress burn or chemical burning.
When Rose Leaves Turning Red Signal a Problem
When Jack Frost comes to visit our rose beds, his cold touch can damage the tissues of the leaves on the bush when a heavy enough frosting happens. This damage can cause the foliage on the rose bush to change coloration as the foliage dies, turning it red in color, which then tends to turn a mottled red and yellow coloration. This, too, is a normal thing to witness in the rose bed or garden as the weather changes with the seasons. Now if that growth turns a bright red (sometimes may also look mottled) as well as the foliage looking distorted, elongated, and/or crinkled up, we may have just been given a warning sign that something is very terribly wrong! It could be that some herbicide spray has drifted over onto the foliage or it could be the warning sign of the start of the dreaded Rose Rosette disease (also known as Witches Broom). Once the bush is infected with the Rose Rosette disease (virus), it is doomed. The bush and the immediate soil around it must be taken out and destroyed, tossed in the trash. It is a fatal infection with no known cure, and the sooner the bush is removed and destroyed, the better for the other rose bushes in your garden or rose bed.