Rose hips are quite literally the fruits of your rose’s labor – small, berry-like seed pods that form after blooms fade. Most gardeners will never see them, as they deadhead their roses to prioritize flowering. But for many, it’s worth letting some blooms go to enjoy the many benefits these often-overlooked fruits have to offer. We’ll cover what rose hips are, how to harvest them from your own garden, and the many ways to use them in everyday life.
What Are Rose Hips?
When a pollinated rose bloom is left to fade naturally rather than deadheaded, it forms hips – the tangy fruit of the plant. All rose varieties produce hips, but Rosa rugosa (shrub rose) is known for producing the largest, most abundant, and best-tasting of them all.
The characteristics of a typical rose hip include:
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Round to oblong shape
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Roughly grape-sized
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Red to orange in color, deepening as they ripen. Some varieties even turn purple or black.
Upon opening a rose hip, you’ll find the tasty flesh (the most valuable part), seeds, and small irritating hairs surrounding the seeds.
The Health Benefits of Rose Hips
Rose hips aren’t just beneficial to birds, deer, and squirrels. With a well-documented nutritional profile, they’re also known for their human health benefits. Here’s what your rose plant has to offer:
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Exceptionally high vitamin C content: Studies show that rose hips contain significantly more vitamin C than oranges, though much of it is lost during the drying process.
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Rich in antioxidants: Rose hips contain the antioxidants linked to reducing oxidative stress including carotenoids, flavonoids, and polyphenols.
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Anti-inflammatory properties: Reviews have noted potential of rose hips in relieving common conditions like rheumatoid arthritis.
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General immune support and use as a nutritive: Rose hips were historically used as nourishment during times when fresh produce was scarce and still are used as a dietary supplement today.
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Topical/skincare use: The fatty acids present in the seeds and flesh make up rose hip oil, noted for anti-aging properties, skin hydration, and reducing hyperpigmentation.
*Be mindful that some side effects do exist for certain people. Always consult a healthcare provider before using or consuming rose hips.
Are Rose Hips Edible and Safe?
Yes, rose hips from all Rosa species are edible, aside from the small hairs surrounding the seeds inside. These can be irritating to the mouth and digestive tract if consumed. Be sure to remove them (as well as the seeds) for culinary use. The only exception is for tea, in which whole hips can be steeped without a problem.
Avoid harvesting hips from any rose bush treated with pesticides or chemicals not labeled for edible use. Rugosa roses grow wild in many coastal regions and are commonly gathered, but gardeners using commercial rose products should check their spray history.
When and How to Harvest Rose Hips from Your Garden
The right timing and harvesting methods can significantly impact the quality and nutritional value of rose hips. Here’s what to know before going out into your garden and gathering them.
Timing
For the best flavor and texture, the best time to harvest rose hips is in the fall – after the first light frost, but before a hard freeze. Light frost sweetens and softens the hips. They should be deeply colored (bright red or orange), firm, and fully ripe when picked. Avoid mushy, wrinkled, or damaged fruit.
How to Harvest Rose Hips
Harvesting rose hips is easy. You can either simply pluck them off the canes by hand or snip them off with scissors or garden snips. If you choose to cut them, cut the stem just above the top of the hip.
*Always wear gloves to protect your hands from those prickly rose thorns.
How to Wash Rose Hips
Once you’ve gathered your rose hips, it’s important to wash off any dirt or small insects. Rinse them thoroughly in a colander with cool water and pat dry with a clean towel. Inspect and discard any damaged or overripe hips.
Should You Cut Rose Hips Off?
Whether you should cut the hips off your rose or not depends entirely on your gardening goals. Leaving hips on the plant signals dormancy and helps the plant slow down heading into winter. Removing them encourages repeat blooms late in the season. The choice is yours!
How to Prepare Rose Hips
Whether you want to brew antioxidant-rich tea or add floral flavor to a food dish, rose hips are perfect for a wide range of culinary uses. Follow these simple steps for proper preparation:
For tea
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Boil water in a pot.
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Add whole rose hips to boiling water (1 tablespoon per cup of water). Let them boil for 3-5 minutes.
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Cover, turn off heat, and let rose hips steep for at least 20 minutes.
*Blending or chopping rose hips before boiling results in a richer flavor. Just make sure you use a fine-meshed strainer when finished to remove any remaining hairs.
For cooking/eating
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De-seed: Trim off stems and slice rose hips in half. Use a small spoon to remove seeds and irritating hairs.
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Simmer: Bring water to a boil and simmer for 15-25 minutes – until rose hips are tender.
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Mash: Use a potato masher or sturdy spoon to mash rose hips into a puree.
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Strain: Use a fine-meshed strainer to ensure none of those little hairs or seeds remain.
*Some recipes allow you to cook with whole hips and strain out the seeds/hairs afterward. Always check your chosen recipe!
How to Dry Rose Hips
For gardeners who harvest rose hips in bulk, drying is essential for preservation. When stored properly, dried rose hips can last well over a year. The 3 primary methods for drying rose hips are:
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Air drying: This method is suitable for arid conditions to prevent mold. Spread whole or halved rose hips on a tray in a warm, dry location for several weeks.
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Oven drying: Spread rose hips thinly on a baking sheet at the lowest possible heat until fully dry and brittle.
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Food dehydrator: If nutrient retention is important to you, this is the preferred method. Dehydrate rose hips on a low temperature setting – roughly 100F – for approximately 24. hours.
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Storage: Once fully dry, store rose hips in an airtight jar in a cool, dark place and enjoy as needed!
*While necessary for long-term storage, drying does reduce the vitamin C content that rose hips are known for. Fresh rose hips retain the most nutritional value, but can only be stored in the fridge for about a week.
What to Do with Rose Hips: Tips and Ideas
Make the most out of what your garden has to offer by using rose hips for culinary or skincare purposes. There are so many always to take advantage of these vitamin-rich, flavorful rose fruits. Here are the most practical uses.
Culinary uses
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Rose hip tea (fresh or dried): With the ability to steep whole hips in just 20 minutes, this is the simplest use. Rose hips pair beautifully with honey, lemon, and complementary herbs to create a complex flavor profile.
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Rose hip jelly: Create a classic preserve by simmering the hips, straining out the juice, and adding sugar. Combine with apple or cranberry for a balanced sweet-tangy flavor.
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Rose hip syrup: Versatile and easy to make, rose hip syrup has been given to children historically as a vitamin C supplement. Pour over yogurt, into drinks, or use as a mixer.
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Rose hip powder: Dried hips can be ground into powder to add nutrient-boosting floral flavor to smoothies, baked goods, or oatmeal.
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Soups and broths: Rose hips incorporate an element of spring to winter soups and bone broths. Use them sparingly for mild tartness and nutrition.
Topical/skincare uses
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Rose-hip-infused oil: Known for its anti-aging and skin-nourishing properties, rose hip oil serves as the base for many DIY skincare applications. Steep dried hips in a “carrier” oil (like almond or sunflower oil). Then strain to extract the essential fatty acids and rich vitamin content.
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Rose hip balm: Combine your rose-hip-infused oil with beeswax for a richer topical application. This is excellent for deep skin hydration and repair.
Final Thoughts
After the first light frost in your area, gather the remaining rose hips in your garden and take advantage of their many benefits. They’re perfect for not only fun DIY projects, but boosting health, nourishing skin, and enhancing flavor. Visit April & Ashley's Greenhouse for more expert gardening tips and tricks that will help you grow healthy, vibrant roses.