Rosaceae
Alpine Rose (Rosa pendulina): The Thornless Mountain Wild Rose
Rosa pendulina
Plant in full sun; water every 7 days during active growth. Prefers well-drained, slightly acidic to neutral soil. Extremely cold-hardy and well-suited for rock gardens, slopes, and naturalistic plantings. Prune annually after flowering.
Every 7 days
Bright indirect
-30° - 30°C
40% - 70%
Categories
What is Alpine Rose?
Alpine Rose (Rosa pendulina) is a easy-care plant from the Rosaceae family. The Alpine Rose (Rosa pendulina) is a nearly thornless wild shrub native to the mountains of central and southern Europe — the Pyrenees, Alps, Carpathians, and Apennines. It produces deep pink to fuchsia flowers with prominent yellow stamens, followed by distinctive pendulous, elongated red hips. Ex...
Alpine Rose grows up to 2.0m, with spread of 150cm, watering every 7 days, -30°C – 30°C, 40–70% humidity. It is not suitable for indoor environments and safe for pets.
Unlike many tropical plants, Alpine Rose tolerates watering mistakes. Best for beginners. Unlike many popular species, Alpine Rose is safe to keep around pets.
How to Care for Alpine Rose?
TLDR: Alpine Rose needs Bright indirect, watering every 7 days, and temperatures between -30-30°C with 40-70% humidity.
How Often Should You Water Alpine Rose?
Water deeply every 7 days in spring and summer. Reduce frequency in autumn and winter based on rainfall. Avoid waterlogging — Alpine Rose is susceptible to root rot in poorly drained soils.
How Much Light Does Alpine Rose Need?
Prefers full sun (6-10 hours daily) but tolerates partial shade. In warmer climates, afternoon shade helps protect blooms and extends the flowering period.
What Is the Best Soil for Alpine Rose?
Use fertile, well-drained loamy soil with a pH of 6.0–7.5. Amend with organic matter at planting. Tolerates clay, chalk, and sandy soils as long as drainage is adequate.
What Pot Should You Use for Alpine Rose?
Ceramic or terracotta pot with drainage holes. Best planted directly in garden soil, rocky beds, or raised borders.
Care Schedule
Fertilize
Every 30 days
What Is Alpine Rose and Where Does It Come From?
The Alpine Rose (Rosa pendulina) is a nearly thornless wild shrub native to the mountains of central and southern Europe — the Pyrenees, Alps, Carpathians, and Apennines. It produces deep pink to fuchsia flowers with prominent yellow stamens, followed by distinctive pendulous, elongated red hips. Exceptionally cold-hardy, it tolerates temperatures down to -30°C and thrives in rocky mountain landscapes.
How to Propagate Alpine Rose?
Stem Cutting
Use sterilized tools. Keep moisture consistent without waterlogging. Hardwood cuttings taken in autumn also have a good success rate.
- 1 Take a semi-hardwood cutting of 15-20 cm in late spring
- 2 Remove lower leaves, keeping 2-3 leaves at the top
- 3 Dip the base in rooting hormone powder
- 4 Plant in moist mix of equal parts sand and perlite
- 5 Keep in a shaded, humid spot for 4-6 weeks until rooted
Materials needed:
Seed Propagation
Germination can take up to two seasons. Cold stratification is mandatory to break seed dormancy.
- 1 Harvest ripe hips in autumn and extract seeds
- 2 Cold-stratify seeds at 5°C for 90-120 days in moist sand
- 3 Sow in spring in well-drained medium
- 4 Keep lightly moist at 15-20°C
Materials needed:
How Big Does Alpine Rose Grow?
TLDR: Alpine Rose can reach up to 2.0m tall with Medium growth rate.
Max height
2.0m
Spread
1.5m
Growth rate
Medium
Foliage
Deciduous
Plant Uses
Ornamental
Great for decoration
Is your plant showing symptoms?
Click on the symptom to discover possible causes:
What Diseases Commonly Affect Alpine Rose?
TLDR: Alpine Rose is susceptible to 8 known diseases. Monitor regularly for early detection.
Black Spot
Black spot is the most serious fungal disease affecting roses, caused by the fungus Diplocarpon rosae. It is characterized by dark circular spots on leaves that progress to yellowing and premature leaf drop. The disease thrives in humid and cool conditions, especially early in the growing season.
Rust
Rust is a common fungal disease caused by fungi in the order Pucciniales that affects a wide variety of plants. The disease gets its name from the characteristic orange, yellow, or reddish-brown pustules that appear on leaves, resembling metal rust. This obligate fungal parasite requires living plants to survive and can cause significant economic losses in agricultural crops.
Powdery Mildew
Powdery mildew is a common fungal disease caused by various fungi species including Erysiphe, Podosphaera, Oïdium, and Leveillula. It affects over 10,000 plant species worldwide. The disease thrives in warm, dry climates with high humidity and appears as a distinctive white powdery coating on plant surfaces.
Root Rot
Root rot is a serious fungal disease that affects the root system of plants, causing them to decay and die. It is primarily caused by overwatering, poor drainage, or soil-borne fungi such as Pythium, Phytophthora, Rhizoctonia, and Fusarium. The disease thrives in waterlogged conditions where roots are deprived of oxygen, making them susceptible to fungal infection.
Meaning & Symbolism
In Alpine tradition, the Alpine Rose symbolizes wild beauty, resilience, and the purity of mountain heights — a quiet strength that blooms even in harsh conditions.
Fun Facts
One of the few wild European roses that is nearly thornless, especially on its upper branches.
Its hips hang downward (are pendulous) — the characteristic that gives the species its name "pendulina".
It survived the last Ice Age in glacial refugia in the Alps and Carpathians.
Hardy to -30°C, making it one of the most cold-tolerant roses in the world.
Frequently asked questions
How often should I water Alpine Rose?
Is Alpine Rose toxic to pets?
When does Alpine Rose bloom?
Can Alpine Rose grow in a pot?
How do I prevent black spot on Alpine Rose?
Compare with similar plants
| Attribute | Difficulty | Light | Watering | Pet Safe |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Flame Violet | Easy | Partial shade | 7d | ✓ |
| Prickly Lettuce | Easy | Direct sun | 7d | ✓ |
| Haworthiopsis (genus) | Easy | Partial shade | 14d | ✓ |
| Gasteria (genus) | Easy | Partial shade | 14d | ✓ |
