Multiflora rose.

At a glance

Care level

Easy

Plant type

Deciduous shrub

Light

Full sun to partial shade

Indoor light

Direct sun

Water

Every 7 to 14 days

Mature size

10 to 15 feet

Growth rate

Fast

Hardiness

USDA 5 to 9

Bloom time

Late spring to early summer

Care

This plant is extremely hardy and thrives with minimal intervention in full sun. Keep an eye on its rapid spread, as it can quickly overtake nearby garden spaces if not managed. Watch for signs of powdery mildew on the foliage during humid weather.

Watering

Water deeply once the top few inches of soil feel dry to the touch.

Feeding

Apply a balanced fertilizer during the active growing season in spring and summer.

Pruning

Prune in late winter or early spring to control size and remove dead wood.

Repotting

Repot only if the plant becomes rootbound or needs a larger container for stability.

Soil

Well draining, fertile soil

Soil pH

6.0 to 7.0

Temperature

-30 to 35°C

Humidity

40 to 70%

Safety

People

The plant is not considered toxic to humans.

Children

The dense, thorny stems pose a significant injury risk to children playing nearby.

Contact allergens

The sharp, curved thorns can cause significant skin scratches and irritation.

Airborne allergens

The pollen can trigger mild seasonal allergies in sensitive individuals.

Edibility

While the hips are technically edible, they are often small and hairy inside, making them poor for consumption.

How to identify it

• Clusters of small white flowers
• Fringed stipules at leaf base
• Arching, thorny, green canes
• Small red rose hips in autumn

Height

2 to 5m

Spread

2 to 5m

Leaves

green, deciduous

Flowers

white, 1 to 2cm

Fruit

red, Autumn

Common problems

• Rose Rosette Disease — A viral disease spread by eriophyid mites that causes distorted, red, witch's broom growth.
• Powdery Mildew — A fungal infection that leaves a white, dusty coating on the leaves.

Growing it

Propagation

seed, cuttings, layering

When to plant

Spring, Autumn

Because this plant is invasive, it is best to avoid planting it near natural areas where it can spread.

Grows well with

• Goldenrod — They share similar habitat requirements and bloom times.
• Aster — These plants often grow together in wild, unmanaged thickets.

Similar species

• Sweetbriar Rose — It is another invasive rose species with similar growth habits.

Science

Family

Rosaceae

Genus

Rosa

Order

Rosales

Class

Magnoliopsida

Native range

Eastern Asia

Conservation

It is listed as a noxious weed in many states and should not be planted in the wild.

It thrives in disturbed areas and forest edges, where it forms dense thickets that shade out competing plants.

Value to wildlife

nectar source, provides nesting cover, winter food for birds

Pollinators

bees, butterflies, beetles

Uses

hedgerow, wildlife habitat, rootstock for grafting

Taxonomy resolved against GBIF.

Questions people ask

Is it a good garden plant?

No, it is highly invasive and difficult to remove once established.

How do I get rid of it?

Repeated mowing or digging out the entire root system is required for control.

Where the name comes from

The name multiflora refers to the many flowers produced in clusters, while Rosa is the Latin name for rose.

Good to know

• It was originally introduced to North America for erosion control and as a living fence.
• A single plant can produce over a million seeds in a year.
• The flowers are highly fragrant and attract a wide variety of insects.