Roses – the Queen of Flowers

Vase life, cutting, color meanings & florist tips

MoBlumen Editorial Team · 9 min read · Cut flower

What I’ve learned about roses as a florist in Vienna — and what most people get wrong when caring for them.

Roses are the best-selling flower in the world — and yet very few people know how to care for them properly. Every day I see customers complaining that their roses start drooping after just three days. But rose care really isn’t complicated. You just need to know a few things no one tells you.

What you’ll find here: how to make roses last longer (up to 12 days), what the different colors mean, and — for garden owners — how pruning, fertilizer, and winter care work in practice. If you’d like to buy roses, we often deliver in Vienna the very same day.

Where do roses come from?

The rose has a history that goes back more than 5,000 years. The oldest discoveries come from Persia and China. Cleopatra is said to have had entire rooms filled with rose petals, and in the Roman Empire, the rose was a symbol of luxury and power.

Modern cut roses mostly come from Ecuador, Colombia, and Kenya. Ecuador supplies the famous long-stemmed roses — thanks to its high-altitude location on the equator, the stems grow especially long and strong there. The popular Avalanche rose (pure white, large bloom) is the best-selling wedding rose in the world.

Rose meanings — what do the colors say?

The meaning of rose colors is the best-known flower symbolism of all:

The meaning of red roses is unmistakable around the world: “I love you.” On Valentine’s Day, more than 250 million roses are given worldwide. The meaning of white roses is more versatile — purity at weddings, respect at funerals.

Yellow roses used to symbolize jealousy. Today, they stand for friendship and joy — a lovely gesture without romantic undertones.

Roses in a vase — how to keep them fresh for up to 12 days

Cut roses — at an angle and with a knife

Trim the stems diagonally with a sharp knife — never with scissors, as they crush the water channels. The angled cut increases the surface area for water uptake. Recut every 2–3 days.

Remove leaves and thorns

Remove all leaves that would sit in the water. Leaves in water = bacteria = shorter vase life. Also snap off any thorns below the waterline.

How to keep roses fresh — water and temperature

Use lukewarm water with flower food. Change it completely every 2 days. Roses like it cool: 18–20°C is ideal. Don’t place them near fruit (ethylene!), in direct sunlight, or next to a radiator.

How much do roses cost? — Rose prices in Vienna

The rose price varies depending on the season. For Valentine’s Day roses, prices rise by 30–50%. If you’re smart, order a few days in advance.

Roses in the garden — pruning, fertilizing, winter care

Pruning roses in the garden

The most important pruning is done in spring, when the forsythias are in bloom. Cut floribunda and hybrid tea roses back to 3–5 buds. Always cut just above an outward-facing bud.

Fertilizing roses

Twice a year: in April with organic rose fertilizer and in June after the first bloom. Do not fertilize after August — the shoots need to mature before winter.

Winterizing roses

Protect the graft union: In November, mound up soil or compost (15–20 cm). Standard roses: wrap the crown with fleece. Uncover again in spring.

Frequently asked questions about roses

More in the flower glossary: Orchids · Tulips · Hydrangeas · Lilies