Plant care
Peace Rose (Madame A. Meilland) care
Rosa 'Peace'
Also called Peace Rose, Madame A. Meilland, Gloria Dei.
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
Rich, well-drained loam, pH 6.0-6.8
Humidity
40-60%
Temp
16-26°C
Pet safety
Pet-safe
Mature size
1.2-1.5 m (4-5 ft) tall and about 1 m (3 ft) wide.
Care at a glance
Light
Peace Rose needs sun on the leaves, not just bright ambient room light. Needs at least 6 hours of direct sun daily for strong stems and full repeat bloom; morning sun that dries dew quickly helps reduce blackspot. A south or west-facing windowsill in the northern hemisphere is the default; anywhere else, expect the plant to stretch and pale out within a season.
Watering
Water peace rose deeply 1-2 times per week, more in heat. The actual day count varies with pot size, light, and season — the finger test (or lifting the pot to feel its weight) is more reliable than a fixed calendar. Empty any drainage saucer afterwards so the pot isn't sitting in water. Water at the base, giving roughly 4-5 cm (1.5-2 in) weekly; soak the root zone rather than sprinkling, and avoid wetting foliage to limit fungal disease.
Soil and pot
Peace Rose grows best in rich, well-drained loam, ph 6.0-6.8. Plant in fertile, moisture-retentive but free-draining soil enriched with compost or well-rotted manure; mulch to keep roots cool and conserve moisture. 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
Peace Rose sits happiest at around 40-60% humidity and 16-26°C (60-79°F). Tolerates a wide range of outdoor humidity. Good airflow between plants is more important than moisture level for preventing blackspot and powdery 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 peace rose sparingly. Feed with a balanced rose fertiliser in early spring as growth resumes, again after the first flush, and a final lighter feed in midsummer; stop by late summer so new growth hardens before frost. 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 peace rose in the Growli community. Each is annotated with the most common cause so you know where to start.
- Blackspot — Fungal leaf spotting common in humid summers; remove infected leaves, improve airflow, and avoid overhead watering.
- Aphids — Clusters on soft new growth and buds; dislodge with a water jet or treat with insecticidal soap.
- Powdery mildew — White coating on leaves and buds in dry, stagnant air; space plants and water at the root zone.
- Few blooms — Usually too little sun or under-feeding; ensure full sun and a regular rose-feeding schedule.
Propagation
Propagate from semi-hardwood stem cuttings in late summer or by budding onto a rootstock; named cultivars do 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
Peace Rose is pet-safe. ASPCA-listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (genus Rosa, true roses). The plant itself poses no poisoning risk, though thorns can cause physical injury. 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.
Peace Rose care — frequently asked questions
What is the common name for Rosa 'Peace'?
Rosa 'Peace' is most commonly called Peace Rose, but it is also known as Peace Rose, Madame A. Meilland, Gloria Dei. The names refer to the same species, so care instructions for Peace Rose apply identically to anything sold as Madame A. Meilland.
How much light does peace rose need?
Peace Rose grows best in direct sun (at least 4-6 hours). Needs at least 6 hours of direct sun daily for strong stems and full repeat bloom; morning sun that dries dew quickly helps reduce blackspot.
How often should I water peace rose?
Water peace rose deeply 1-2 times per week, more in heat. Water at the base, giving roughly 4-5 cm (1.5-2 in) weekly; soak the root zone rather than sprinkling, and avoid wetting foliage to limit fungal disease. 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 peace rose toxic to cats and dogs?
Peace Rose is pet-safe. ASPCA-listed as non-toxic to cats, dogs, and horses (genus Rosa, true roses). The plant itself poses no poisoning risk, though thorns can cause physical injury.
What USDA hardiness zone does peace rose grow in?
Peace 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.
Peace Rose deep-dive guides
Every aspect of peace rose care, each with its own calibrated guide:
- Peace Rose watering schedule
- Peace Rose light requirements
- Best soil mix for peace rose
- Peace Rose fertilizing guide
- When to repot peace rose
- How to propagate peace rose
- Peace Rose growth rate & size
- Peace Rose cold hardiness
- Peace Rose temperature & humidity
- Is peace rose toxic to cats & dogs?
- Is peace rose toxic to cats?
- Is peace rose toxic to dogs?
- Getting peace rose to bloom
Featured in these plant shortlists
Peace Rose qualifies for 10 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 flowering houseplants — Indoor plants grown for their blooms — selected from the flowering species in Growli’s plant-care library.
- 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
Peace Rose is also known as Peace Rose, Madame A. Meilland, and Gloria Dei.