What pests attack rose?

San José scale, Scale insects, Strawberry blossom weevil, Two-spotted spider mite

What diseases affect rose?

Black spot of rose, Downy Mildew, Grey mould, Honey fungus, Rust, Verticillium wilt

Rose pests and diseases: how to recognise them

Q: Which rose problems need quick action?

Black spot of rose: Purple to black spots with feathery, radiating edges on the upper side of leaves, often with yellowing around them. Downy Mildew: A white, grey or purple mould on the underside of the leaf, directly below each blotch, in damp weather. Grey mould: On strawberries, grapes and other soft fruit a soft brown rot, often as the fruit ripens; on gooseberries whole branches die. Honey fungus: Black or brown root-like cords ("bootlaces") on the roots and in the soil, mostly in the top 15 cm.

Rosa

The pests, diseases and disorders recorded for rose in our library, each with a photo and its first symptom. Every page has the full list of symptoms, organic and chemical treatment and prevention.

At a glance

Problems in total	10
Pests	4
Diseases	6
Need quick action	4

How to grow rose · All pests and diseases

Pests

San José scaleGumming on the bark and dying twigs and branches.Photo: Zihao Wang, CC BY 4.0, Wikimedia Commons
Scale insectsSome species lay eggs under white, waxy, cotton-like fibres on stems or leaf undersides.Photo: BARAKAT2011, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Strawberry blossom weevilFlower buds hang on a partly severed stalk, wither and drop without opening; the female lays an egg in the bud and then gnaws the stalk.Photo: James K. Lindsey, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons
Two-spotted spider miteFine silk webbing over leaves and shoot tips in heavy attacks.Also called: red spider mitePhoto: Gilles San Martin from Namur, Belgium, CC BY-SA 2.0, Wikimedia Commons

Diseases

Which rose problems need quick action?

These spread or do lasting harm fast; check the plants and start treatment the day you see them.

Black spot of rose: Weakened plants that grow less and flower less.
Downy Mildew: Badly affected leaves shrivel and turn brown or yellow and fall early; plants become stunted and some may die.
Grey mould: Small black seed-like bodies may form on the infected material.
Honey fungus: Clumps of honey-coloured mushrooms around stumps or over dead roots in late summer and autumn — not every year, and plants may die before any appear.

Plants with many of the same problems

Which plants each problem affects: sources

The links between these problems and the plant were checked against these pages.