How do you care for a Christmas rose?

The common Christmas rose (Helleborus niger), also known as the white Christmas rose or black hellebore, belongs to the buttercup family and is a genus of evergreen perennials that grow naturally in the Alps and the Balkans. Christmas roses are especially valued for their ability to bloom in winter, despite frost and snow, making them a beautiful sight during the colder months.

The common Christmas rose bears white flowers, but other species of Helleborus display blooms in shades of green, violet, and pink. Common to all plants in this genus is that the colored parts of the flower are actually sepals, while the petals are green—something unusual among perennials. The leaves of the Christmas rose are thick and leathery, and the large flowers grow on leafless stems. Different species of Christmas roses cross easily, creating new, exciting hybrids, which makes them a fascinating group for gardening enthusiasts and collectors.

Helleborus abchasicus: Rød, blomstring i marts-april.

Helleborus foetidus (stinkende nyserod): Grøn.

Helleborus niger: Hvid og lavstammet.

Helleborus orientails (påskeklokke): Hvid, rosa eller purpur.

Caring for Christmas roses is simple as long as they are planted in a suitable spot in the garden. In spring and autumn, when the Christmas roses are actively growing, it’s important to water them regularly. In summer, however, the plant goes dormant due to the heat, so watering is needed less often. A helpful tip is to feed the plant with calcium nitrate in spring—especially if your Christmas rose isn’t producing flowers.

After blooming ends in early spring, withered leaves and shoots should be removed. This will ensure more beautiful flowers next year, and you can enjoy the few remaining blooms on the plant.

Christmas roses in garden pots make a beautiful decoration for the terrace or entrance during the winter months. To achieve the best look, place them in light shade, avoiding direct sunlight. Keep the soil in the pot slightly moist, but remember that Christmas roses in pots dry out faster than those planted in the ground.

It’s essential that Christmas roses don’t sit in overly wet soil, so ensure the pot has drainage holes at the bottom. Once winter ends, you can choose to plant the Christmas roses in a garden bed or leave them in the pot as part of the garden setup.

Pruning Christmas roses is simple and helps the plant bloom more beautifully next season. After the Christmas rose has finished blooming in early spring, it’s a good idea to remove withered leaves and shoots. Use a clean, sharp pair of scissors to cut off the dead parts, allowing the plant to focus its energy on new growth and blooming. Also, remove any damaged or diseased leaves to prevent the spread of disease. By pruning the Christmas rose in this way, you’ll have a healthier and more vibrant plant the following year.