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.

Plant guide

Multiflora rose.

Rosa multiflora

Pronounced RO-zuh mul-tee-FLOR-uh

Also known as Baby Rose, Japanese Rose, Many-Flowered Rose, Many-flower Rose, Multiflora Rose, Seven-sisters Rose, multiflower rose

The multiflora rose is a vigorous climbing shrub known for its clusters of small, fragrant white flowers. It is widely recognized for its arching canes and ability to spread quickly in various environments. While pretty, it is considered an invasive species in many parts of North America.

Another photo of Multiflora rose — Photo by Conway Hawn (CC0) via gbif

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

Problems to watch for

By symptom

Plant problems by symptom

Check your multiflora rose from a photo

Pocket Botanist looks at a photo of your plant and tells you what's wrong and what to try first.

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

Through the year

JFMAMJJASOND

Flowering

Fruiting

Foliage

Ecological indicators

Salinity: 2/9
Soil reaction: 5/9
Light: 7/9
Temperature: 5/9
Moisture: 5/9
Nutrients: 5/9

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.

Keep your multiflora rose growing

This page is a general guide. Save your plant in Pocket Botanist and you get care reminders timed for this plant, plus a care history that shows what worked.

Get the app

This guide was generated with AI on September 26, 2026 and checked against GBIF taxonomy. It is general information, not horticultural or veterinary advice. Read about how we build these guides.