What is best fertilizer for knockout roses?
Andrew Mckinney
Updated on February 25, 2026
Local soils tend to have plenty of phosphorus and potassium, so the recommendation of using a balanced fertilizer such as 13-13-13 or 10-10-10 is outdated. The old recommendation was to apply about 1 cup of this type of fertilizer per plant three to four times per growing season, between mid-April and mid-August.Click to see full answer. Herein, what kind of fertilizer is best for knockout roses? Recommended Fertilizers A 6-12-6 NPK is considered a balanced rose fertilizer. Granular applications break down slowly with rainfall or an irrigation system, so the plant is continually getting nutrients. The rose bush should be watered deeply the day before applying any fertilizers.Also Know, is Miracle Grow good for knockout roses? Another good fertilizer for roses is Osmocote, which can be sprinkled on top of soil and lasts for months. If you prefer a water-soluble fertilizer like Miracle-Gro, wait until the plant has gone through a full bloom cycle before applying. Subsequently, question is, do Knockout roses require fertilizer? Fertilizing — The Knock Out® Family of Roses. The Knock Out® Family of Roses will perform beautifully even without fertilizing. However, if you choose to give them an additional boost, it’s very important not to fertilize until after the roses are established and go through one bloom cycle.Is Epsom salts good for roses?Serious Rose enthusiasts use Epsom salts to help strengthen their plants. Using Epsom salt helps “build” lush, dark green foliage as a gorgeous backdrop to dazzling, bright, abundant blooms. The added magnesium levels help increase the production of chlorophyll in the plant for strength and deep, rich color.