Do Banana Peels Actually Help Fertilize Your Roses? We Asked a Rose Expert

In recent years, many growers have begun to switch to organic and DIY fertilizers, like banana peels, which are said to help roses grow without the need for synthetic fertilizers. But do banana peels for roses actually work or are there other organic fertilizers that are better for rose health?

In this guide, a master rosarian weighs in on whether banana peels actually benefit roses, and provides expert tips on how to fertilize roses for the best blooms.

Are Banana Peels an Effective Rose Fertilizer?

Often, banana peels are composted before they’re applied around roses, but they can also be dehydrated or steeped in water to make banana peel tea for easier application. The trouble is, while banana peels make a valuable compost ingredient, they just don’t contain enough nutrients to replace the need for fertilizers no matter how you apply them.

“The bottom line is that banana peels are not a super food for roses,” says master rosarian Jerry Georgette. “The scientific evidence is not there.”

Banana peels may not provide as many benefits to roses as one would hope, and they’re not the only food scrap that’s rich in potassium.

“Tomatoes, potatoes, and beets also have potassium, and often more potassium than your average banana,” Georgette says. “Really, banana peels are just another source of organic material.”

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4 Natural Fertilizers for Roses

Although banana peels are not an adequate rose fertilizer on their own, there are plenty of all-natural fertilizers that are appropriate for roses and approved for organic gardens. If you want to reduce your reliance on synthetic fertilizers, here are a few products that you may want to try.

• Alfalfa pellets. “Alfalfa pellets are a good source of organic, slow-release phosphorus and potassium,” reveals Georgette. “They also contain trace minerals and a natural plant growth hormone called triacontanol, which can stimulate root growth and overall plant development.”
• Blood meal. Blood meal is one of the top organic sources of nitrogen, but it works best when applied at the beginning of the season when rose plants are just staring to leaf out. You can then switch to more balanced fertilizers, like alfalfa, later in the year.
• Bone meal. Rich in phosphorous, bone meal is particularly beneficial for root health. That’s why it’s often mixed into holes at planting time or scratched into the soil around growing roses.
• Fish emulsion. Fish emulsion contains a nice balance of nitrogen, potassium, and phosphorous, which makes it a handy fertilizer to use at any point of the growing season. It’s also usually sold in liquid form, which can be easily diluted for container-grown plants.

How to Fertilize Roses Without Harming Them

Roses can struggle from too much or too little fertilizer, so it’s wise to test your soil before using any fertilizer at all. This will let you know which nutrients your soil is lacking in and which fertilizers will work best on your plants.

Once you’ve selected your fertilizer of choice, read the fertilizer application instructions carefully.

Granular fertilizers generally take longer to be absorbed by plants and don’t need to be applied as often, while liquid fertilizers are usually applied every 2 to 4 weeks. However, application rates can vary significantly depending on the products you’re using.

Roses will often grow and flower best with an annual application of compost applied around their roots in spring, followed by regular doses of liquid or granular fertilizer applied at intervals from spring through early fall.

Stop applying fertilizers 6 to 8 weeks before frost is expected and to withhold all fertilizer during extreme heat when plants aren’t as able to absorb nutrients.

Diluting liquid fertilizers by half with water and watering roses well before applying fertilizers of any sort can also help the plants absorb nutrients better and reduce the risk of fertilizer burn.