How to Grow Rosehips at Home

It is a plant of simple care, very chosen for ornamental use. But it also has beneficial properties for the skin and is suitable for gastronomy.

Rosehip is a plant that’s native to Europe, but is very popular all over the world. This is due to its ease of care and decorative aesthetics. Growing rosehips at home is a simple task, but it requires attention to some specific steps and a substrate with the right nutrients.

In addition, this plant has multiple benefits for the cosmetic universe. Thanks to its properties that are favorable to skin elasticity, it’s commonly used in the elaboration of skin products. Growing rosehip at home in the right way and carrying out good maintenance allows you to enjoy the plant for several years.

What is rosehip?

This is a wild rose whose flowers are valued by millions of people because of their color and aesthetics. However, the rosehip also has very beneficial properties for the skin and is often used in the field of gastronomy.

Its main characteristics make it a tall plant, as it can reach up to 2 meters in height. This growth is accompanied by the formation of bushes with thorns and long stems.

In general, it blooms during the warm months during the spring or summer, while it loses its leaves. Its roses, in addition to their beauty, offer characteristics that make them popular in cosmetics.

The scent of its flowers is recognized by their similarity to apples. Another advantage it has is that growing rosehips at home is a simple task, which is why many people choose this plant for their gardens or terraces.

5 steps to care for and grow rosehips at home

Rosehips are easy plants to grow. All it takes is a few basic tools and the necessary substrate for it to grow.

However, despite its ease of planting, it’s important to pay attention to certain details. For example, the size of the cuttings or the nutritious aspect of the soil. Protection against pests and threats is another detail to take into account.

1. Get cuttings or seeds

The first step for the cultivation of the rosehip, and of any plant, is to select how you’re going to grow the plant. Although it’s possible to get the seeds in any nursery or specialized store, in the case of growing rosehips at home, it’s recommended to use cuttings.

2. Grow rosehips at home: Bury the stem

These cuttings should be about 25 centimeters long so that one part is buried and the other on the surface. Therefore, bury the stem up to approximately 15 centimeters and leave about 10 centimeters outside.

As for the container, it’s important to use plastic pots with a minimum height of 20 centimeters. Otherwise, root expansion may be affected.

3. Provide nutrients from the substrate

The key to growing rosehips at home is to get a substrate that’s rich in nutrients with a good percentage of organic matter and a neutral pH measurement. As for soil components, you can include compost, washed sand, or worm castings.

4. Check the quality of the soil

This is a plant that withstands multiple surfaces, so it can be planted anywhere. However, it’s important that it is grown in soils with little tendency to water accumulation or waterlogging, although it should retain moisture and fertility.

On the other hand, the plant should be given considerable space to grow in a healthy way. About 3 or 4 meters of distance from other plants is enough for it to grow strong.

5. Grow rosehips at home during the spring

It’s advisable to plant during the mild days of spring and then transplant between 1 and 2 months later. At that time, an initial pruning should be done in order to direct the plant toward the way you want it to grow.

How to care for rosehips when you grow rosehips at home

After inserting the cuttings and contemplating the initial growth of the plant, transplanting should be done and an initial pruning should be applied. However, rosehip care doesn’t end there, as it requires frequent watering, abundant sunlight, and paying attention to pests.

Watering

Rosehips offer good resistance to drought and adverse conditions. However, the key is to water frequently to maintain soil moisture. You should also be careful to avoid waterlogging near the roots, which can be detrimental.

Grow rosehips at home: Pests

Many plants can be threatened by pests such as spider mites and aphids. Rosehips are no exception, so it’s important to apply organic fertilizers.

Ideally, this should be done in the last days of winter. On the other hand, to counteract various diseases, you should spray your plants with pesticides and fungicides or natural equivalents frequently, in addition to placing antifungal products.

Pruning

This is an important aspect when growing rosehips at home, because if it’s not done, it can multiply until it loses its shape. Being a plant with great growth, pruning should be done after flowering. It’s recommended to achieve a controlled bush structure.

Uses and benefits if you grow rosehips at home

The cultivation of rosehips has multiple advantages related to skincare, gastronomy, and ornamental use.

• Flowers: Cultivating rosehips correctly allows you to enjoy the beauty of the plant. This is especially the case for its flowers, which are famous for their beauty and simple care.
• Cooking: Flowers are not only useful as ornaments, but also in the gastronomic field. A study by the National University of Córdoba indicates that they provide important nutrients such as vitamin C. Thanks to this and their sweet taste, they’re often included in herbal teas and jams.
• Cosmetics: Rosehip has beneficial components for skin care. For example, it provides fatty acids and antioxidants, which promote tissue regeneration. It’s commonly included in skin moisturizers with repairing properties.
• Rosehip oil: A product with many benefits is rosehip oil. Among them is the improvement of scars, blemishes, and stretch marks, thanks to the presence of linoleic and linolenic acid.

A plant that’s simple to care for and has multiple benefits

Growing rosehips at home isn’t only advisable for the beauty this plant can bring to your garden or terrace. It’s also valuable for its possibilities in the kitchen and for the benefits this plant can provide to the skin.

In this last aspect, it works as a complement to traditional makeup for daily care. As for the flowers, it’s possible to enjoy their benefits by including them in infusions and even in salads.