Miniature Roses Move Indoors

Add a little floral beauty to your indoors this winter with miniature roses. These small-scale roses make attractive centerpieces, party favors, hostess gifts as well as colorful additions to your own indoor garden.

Keep your miniature roses blooming indoors by growing them in a sunny window that receives at least four hours of direct sun. Or grow them about 4 to 6 inches below artificial lights. Use a grow light or combination of cool and warm fluorescent lights to encourage healthy growth and continuous bloom. Set the timer so the plants receive 14 to 16 hours of artificial light each day.

Keep the plants healthy by growing them in a cool draft-free location. Water thoroughly when the top inch of potting mix is just starting to dry. And fertilize actively growing plants with a dilute solution of a flowering houseplant fertilizer or slow release fertilizer according to label directions.

A bit more information: Spider mites are the biggest pest of roses growing indoors. Weekly showers with a strong blast of water will help reduce the risk. Plus, keeping your plants healthy will help them better tolerate this and any other pest problems.