Plant care
Mister Lincoln Rose (Mister Lincoln) care
Rosa 'Mister Lincoln'
Also called Mister Lincoln, Mr. Lincoln Rose.
Watering rhythm
Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)
Deeply 1-2 times per week, more in heat
Light
Direct sun (at least 4-6 hours)
Soil
Fertile, well-drained loam, pH 6.0-6.8
Humidity
40-60%
Temp
16-27°C
Pet safety
Pet-safe
Mature size
1.2-1.8 m (4-6 ft) tall and about 0.9 m (3 ft) wide.
Care at a glance
Light
Most houseplants will scorch where mister lincoln rose thrives. Give it the windowsill you'd otherwise leave empty because everything else burned there. Requires 6 or more hours of direct sun daily for strong stems and abundant flowering; ample sun also helps keep foliage dry and disease-free. A plant moved abruptly from low light to direct sun bleaches in 48 hours — always acclimatise over a week.
Watering
Aim for deeply 1-2 times per week, more in heat for mister lincoln rose, but treat that as a starting point rather than a rule. A south-facing summer windowsill will dry the pot twice as fast as a north-facing winter room. Lift the pot; if it feels noticeably lighter than it did wet, water it. Apply about 4-5 cm (1.5-2 in) of water weekly at the base; deep, infrequent soaking encourages a robust root system better than frequent light watering.
Soil and pot
Mister Lincoln Rose grows best in fertile, well-drained loam, ph 6.0-6.8. Grows best in rich, free-draining soil amended with compost; mulch around the base to conserve moisture and moderate soil temperature. A pot with a working drainage hole is non-negotiable for this species — even free-draining mix will turn soggy in a closed planter. If you love the look of a decorative pot without a hole, use it as a cachepot around an inner nursery pot you can lift out to water.
Humidity and temperature
Mister Lincoln Rose sits happiest at around 40-60% humidity and 16-27°C (60-81°F). Adapts to ordinary outdoor humidity; prioritise good spacing and air circulation over any humidity target to limit blackspot and mildew. If you keep the room above 16 year-round and avoid placing the plant near a cold draught, a hot radiator, or an air-conditioning vent, you have already handled the two biggest indoor stressors.
Fertilising
Feed mister lincoln rose sparingly. Feed a balanced rose food in early spring, repeat after the first bloom flush, and once more in midsummer; cease feeding by late summer to allow canes to harden before winter. Skip fertiliser entirely on a stressed, recently-repotted, or actively wilting plant — fertiliser salts make damage worse, not better. Wait for a round of healthy new growth before resuming a feeding rhythm.
Common problems
Below are the issues we see most often on mister lincoln rose in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.
- Blackspot — Mister Lincoln is moderately susceptible; clear fallen leaves, water at the base, and treat early outbreaks promptly.
- Leggy, open habit — The plant naturally grows tall and sparse at the base; prune to outward buds and underplant to hide bare canes.
- Aphids and thrips — Pests target buds and new shoots; monitor regularly and use insecticidal soap or a strong water spray.
- Bloom balling — Blooms may fail to open in cool, wet spells; remove spoiled buds and ensure good airflow.
Propagation
Propagate from semi-hardwood cuttings in late summer or by budding onto a vigorous rootstock; will not come true from seed. Propagation is the cheapest, most satisfying way to expand a collection — and it doubles as insurance against losing a mature plant to an accident. Take a backup cutting once the parent is established and healthy.
Toxicity to pets
Mister Lincoln Rose is pet-safe. ASPCA-listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (genus Rosa). No toxic principle is present; only the thorns pose a mechanical injury risk. If you keep cats, dogs, or curious children in the house, weigh placement carefully — a high shelf or a hanging planter is enough for casual safety. For severe ingestion incidents, call your local vet and the ASPCA Animal Poison Control Center (in the US, 888-426-4435).
Pet-safety status is sourced from the ASPCA Toxic and Non-Toxic Plant List, which catalogues the most-asked-about plants for cats, dogs, and horses.
Mister Lincoln Rose care — frequently asked questions
What is the common name for Rosa 'Mister Lincoln'?
Rosa 'Mister Lincoln' is most commonly called Mister Lincoln Rose, but it is also known as Mister Lincoln, Mr. Lincoln Rose. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Mister Lincoln Rose apply identically to anything sold as Mister Lincoln.
How much light does mister lincoln rose need?
Mister Lincoln Rose grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Requires 6 or more hours of direct sun daily for strong stems and abundant flowering; ample sun also helps keep foliage dry and disease-free.
How often should I water mister lincoln rose?
Water mister lincoln rose deeply 1-2 times per week, more in heat. Apply about 4-5 cm (1.5-2 in) of water weekly at the base; deep, infrequent soaking encourages a robust root system better than frequent light watering. The finger-test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) beats a fixed weekly calendar because pot size, light, and season all change how fast the soil dries.
Is mister lincoln rose toxic to cats and dogs?
Mister Lincoln Rose is pet-safe. ASPCA-listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (genus Rosa). No toxic principle is present; only the thorns pose a mechanical injury risk.
What USDA hardiness zone does mister lincoln rose grow in?
Mister Lincoln Rose is rated for USDA zone 5-9 and RHS hardiness H6. Outside that range, grow it as a container plant that overwinters indoors before the first hard frost.
Mister Lincoln Rose deep-dive guides
Every aspect of mister lincoln rose care, each with its own calibrated guide:
- Mister Lincoln Rose watering schedule
- Mister Lincoln Rose light requirements
- Best soil mix for mister lincoln rose
- Mister Lincoln Rose fertilizing guide
- When to repot mister lincoln rose
- How to propagate mister lincoln rose
- Mister Lincoln Rose growth rate & size
- Mister Lincoln Rose cold hardiness
- Mister Lincoln Rose temperature & humidity
- Is mister lincoln rose toxic to cats & dogs?
- Is mister lincoln rose toxic to cats?
- Is mister lincoln rose toxic to dogs?
- Getting mister lincoln rose to bloom
Featured in these plant shortlists
Mister Lincoln Rose qualifies for 12 curated Growli shortlists — each one filtered objectively from our structured plant-care library, so the selection is consistent and checkable:
- Best pet-safe houseplants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — every one verified against the ASPCA toxic and non-toxic plant list.
- Best drought-tolerant houseplants — Houseplants that prefer to dry out — forgiving of forgotten watering and ideal for travel or busy weeks.
- Best flowering houseplants — Indoor plants grown for their blooms — selected from the flowering species in Growli’s plant-care library.
- Best pet-safe low-maintenance plants — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and forgiving of forgotten watering — the easiest safe choices for a busy pet household.
- Best pet-safe flowering plants — Flowering houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — colour and blooms in a pet home, without the worry.
- Best pet-safe plants for bright light — Non-toxic to cats and dogs and happy in a bright, sunny spot — safe plants for your best-lit windowsill.
- Best pet-safe large indoor plants — Big, floor-standing houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats and dogs — a statement plant that is safe around pets.
- Best houseplants for full sun — Houseplants that want direct sun — the species for a hot south or west-facing windowsill where shade-lovers scorch.
- Best fast-growing houseplants — Houseplants documented as fast or vigorous growers — quick to fill a pot, cover a pole or trail down a shelf.
- Best fragrant houseplants — Indoor plants with scented flowers or aromatic foliage — greenery you can smell, selected from our care library.
- Best cat-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to cats (and dogs) — safe greenery for a home with a curious cat.
- Best dog-safe plants — Houseplants the ASPCA lists as non-toxic to dogs (and cats) — safe greenery for a home with a curious dog.
- Browse all 29 plant shortlists — pet-safe, low-light, drought-tolerant and more
Related guides
Mister Lincoln Rose is also commonly called Mister Lincoln or Mr. Lincoln Rose.