Rose Foliage Color Changes: Why Do Roses Change Colors?

Every gardener loves the dreamy aesthetic of a vibrant rose against a backdrop of glossy, dark green foliage. But what does it mean when that foliage turns yellow, red, or even silver? Whether it’s genetics, weather & seasonal shifts, plant age, or an underlying health issue – there are a number of reasons a rose can change color.  This blog will cover the root cause of rose foliage color changes, whether they indicate a problem or not, and what you should do about them. 

Normal, Harmless Color Changes

Just as us humans, roses show signs of aging as time passes. This often manifests in their foliage – with colors shifting from reddish/bronze in young leaves to green as they mature. There are a few factors that contribute to this natural aging process: 

• New growth: A reddish/bronze color is common in young foliage. It’s due to a pigment called anthocyanin, which protects tender leaves from the sun – just like melanin does for our skin! Over a few weeks, their color will deepen to green.

• Seasonal transitions: Cool autumn or spring temperatures can activate anthocyanins – resulting in the reddish-bronze color shift mentioned above. 

• Variety differences: Some rose cultivars have a reddish tint in young foliage. 

Yellowing Leaves (Chlorosis)

When the foliage on your roses turns yellow, they’re likely suffering from chlorosis – a condition caused by a lack of green pigmentation (chlorophyll). There are a few telltale signs of chlorosis:

• Interveinal yellowing: Yellowing of the leaf tissue with the veins remaining dark green – often due to high soil pH. 

• Whole leaf yellowing: Often occurs on older leaves first – typically caused by over/underwatering or nitrogen deficiency.

• Yellow leaves with round black spot lesions: Due to fungal infection.

Let’s get down to the root causes of chlorosis and what to do about it:

• High soil pH: This causes a binding of key nutrients in the soil – particularly iron – and prevents your roses from absorbing them. 

What to do: Buy a soil test kit online or from your local garden center. If the pH is too high, lower it with organic amendments such as peat moss or compost. Aim for a pH level of 6.5-7.0.

• Over/underwatering: Excessive moisture can cut off oxygen to the roots and prevent nutrient uptake. On the other hand, wilting and stunted growth can occur if the soil is too dry. 

What to do: Water deeply and infrequently. Ensure soil is well-draining – using amendments such as perlite or vermiculite. 

• Fungal infection: Black spot is one of the most common diseases in roses. Leaves will often turn yellow with round, black splotches or lesions.  

What to do: Immediately remove and dispose of infected foliage. Prune roses to improve air flow and prevent the spread of disease.

Pink/Purple/Red Tints

When you see hints of pink or red on the foliage of your roses, it could be perfectly harmless – or not. Let’s dive into the possible causes of this color shift and determine if you need to take action.

• Anthocyanin response: If you spot a reddish/bronze color on new growth, this is completely normal. Cool temperatures can also trigger this response. Keep an eye on the foliage – it should turn green within a few weeks.

Harmless – no action needed!

• Phosphorus shortage: Purpling of the leaves could indicate a phosphorus shortage. This is often caused by a high pH level in the soil. 

What to do: Test the soil to determine any nutrient deficiencies. Improve soil health with phosphorus-rich fertilizer – such as bone meal or superphosphate. 

• Rose Rosette Disease (RRD): Reddish leaves that don’t turn green in a few weeks can indicate RRD – a fatal viral infection. It’s usually accompanied by a cluster of small, spindly branches (witch’s broom), and leaves are often deformed. 

What to do: RRD is not curable. Dispose of the entire rose bush to prevent the virus from spreading to other roses. 

Silvery/Gray Foliage

If the foliage on your roses turns silver or gray, this is usually a sign of fungal infection or a pest infestation. A few examples include:

• Thrips or mite “silvering”: Thrips and mites are common rose pests that eat away at the buds and foliage of roses. Thrips produce silver or gray patches on the leaves, while mites cause stippling – leaving a dusty appearance.

How to identify: These insects are often microscopic. Confirm their presence with the “white paper test.” Hold a sheet of white paper under the leaves and tap them gently. If tiny, dust-like specks show up on the paper, you’re probably dealing with an infestation.

What to do: Prune off and throw away any infected blooms. There are several pest control options you can use to combat these unwanted critters – such as companion planting or organic pesticides. 

• Powdery mildew: A common fungal infection in roses that distorts their leaves and stunts growth.

How to identify: Check for white or gray powdery patches on the foliage or flower buds.

What do do: Remove and dispose of infected leaves and tidy the surrounding area to prevent the spread to other roses. Consider applying a natural fungicide – such as neem oil. 

• “Silver leaf” disease: An infection caused by fungus entering pruning wounds and spreading to the rest of the plant – causing branches to eventually die. While not very common, it’s serious. 

How to identify: Look for a silvery sheen on the foliage – caused by separation of leaf layers. Dark staining appears under the bark of the branch that can extend several inches, and fruiting bodies form on the dead wood.

What to do: Immediately prune out and dispose of any infected branches. Clean up the area around the plant and disinfect all tools used. Try not to prune in periods of prolonged rain. 

When Flowers Change Color (Not Foliage)

We’ve covered the potential color shifts of rose foliage, but what about the flowers themselves? This happens naturally with age and is usually nothing to worry about. A few causes include:

• Temperature & moisture: Changes in the environment can cause subtle color shifts – such as bright orange to light yellow. 

• Genetic “sport”: A natural genetic mutation that produces blooms of different colors or growth habits on the same plant. 

• Aging blooms: We all age! Fading colors on a rose can simply mean they’re evolving as nature intended.

An instance when a color change in the flower itself may be the result of an underlying problem is when there is a graft issue. The plant will produce shoots from below the graft of a different color – and the difference can be dramatic.
What to do: Remove “suckers” or new shoots from below the union before they take over the entire plant. 

Does Soil pH & Fertilizer Change Foliage Color?

Soil health plays a major role in roses’ quality of life. A high pH level can prevent them from absorbing the nutrients they need to thrive – resulting in yellowing of leaf tissue (interveinal chlorosis). 

What to do:

Run a soil test to confirm the pH level of your soil. Roses do best at a level of 6.5-7.0 – slightly acidic to neutral. 

Applying an iron or nitrogen-rich fertilizer will help to balance your roses’ diet and restore the green color of the foliage. Feed steadily, not excessively – too much nitrogen can result in fewer blooms. 

Prevention & Ongoing Care

For beginner and advanced gardeners alike, unexpected challenges are inevitable. But with the right care habits, you can prevent some of these common foliage issues. Here are our top tips for maintaining those glossy, green leaves on your roses: 

• Water properly: Water deeply & infrequently, and ensure soil is well-draining to avoid root rot.

• Keep air flowing: Space roses properly and prune out dead, damaged, or diseased wood to promote air circulation. 

• Feed moderately: Fertilize steadily during the growing season. Stop feeding 6-8 weeks before your first frost date to avoid stimulating growth that could be damaged by cold snaps.

• Maintain a tidy garden: Remove fallen leaves or debris to prevent fungal infection.

• Inspect regularly: Check for any sign of pests or disease on the underside of rose leaves, buds, and

A Greener Future Lies Ahead

When you see color shifts on the foliage of your roses, don’t panic. Once the problem is identified, it’s almost always solvable. Consider water and drainage first, then rule out pests or disease, and treat precisely for faster recovery and healthier, greener growth. Visit April & Ashley’s collection of healthy, fragrant rose bushes for the next addition to your garden.