Sunlight for Damask Rose?

Full sun. Requires 6+ hours of direct sun for flower bud differentiation and oil yield. Shade-grown plants flower sparsely and produce thin, low-quality oil.

Water for Damask Rose?

Moderate, regular. Deep weekly irrigation through the growing season; avoid overhead watering which promotes black spot. Reduce after flowering.

Soil for Damask Rose?

Loamy, well-drained. Deep loam pH 6.0–7.0 with high organic matter performs best. Heavy clay leads to root rot; sandy soils require constant feeding.

Temperature for Damask Rose?

15–28 °C optimal. Hardy to −15 °C dormant; needs cool winter (chill hours) for reliable flowering. Best fragrance from cool nights and warm days.

What is Damask Rose used for medicinally?

Rose water (gulab jal) used in Unani and Ayurvedic medicine for skin and eye complaints; Petal jam (gulkand) traditionally taken as a coolant and mild laxative; Rose hip (fruit) high in vitamin C, used in herbal teas

What does the scientific name Rosa × damascena mean?

Rosa: Latin name for the rose, possibly via Greek RHODON, ultimately of pre-Greek Mediterranean origin. damascena: Means 'of Damascus', from medieval European belief that the hybrid was introduced from the Syrian city by Crusaders.

Plant of the day

Rosa × damascena

Damask RoseShrub

Rosa × damascena is the deeply fragrant cabbage-like rose at the heart of attar and rose-water production; a hybrid shrub of ancient origin grown commercially across Bulgaria, Iran, Turkey, and the Indian Kannauj belt.

FamilyRosaceae

GenusRosa

NativeMiddle East

LifespanPerennial; productive 8–12 years before requiring replacement

About Rosa × damascena

It takes around four tonnes of damask rose petals to distil a single kilogram of pure rose oil 🌹 — making it one of the most labour-intensive perfume ingredients in the world.

Common Names

EnglishDamask Rose

हिन्दीदेसी गुलाब

मराठीगुलाब

संस्कृतम्शतपत्री

தமிழ்ரோஜா

Native Range

Middle East is listed as part of the native range.

Native to Middle East, Anatolia, Caucasus.

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Key Features

Habit: Thorny deciduous shrub, 1.5–2.2 m
Family: Rosaceae
Lifespan: Perennial; 8–12 productive years
Origin: Hybrid; cultivated origin in Asia Minor
Climate: Mediterranean to subtropical highland

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Did You Know?

It takes around four tonnes of damask rose petals to distil a single kilogram of pure rose oil 🌹 — making it one of the most labour-intensive perfume ingredients in the world.

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