Apothecary's Rose

Rosa gallica 'Officinalis'

Easy · Beginner friendly

About Apothecary's Rose

Rosa gallica 'Officinalis', the Apothecary's Rose, is the oldest named rose cultivar in Western horticulture. Grown by the ancient Greeks and Romans, adopted into medieval monastery gardens, and cultivated on industrial scale at Provins, France, since the 13th century for rose oil and rosewater, this single-flowered semi-double rose with crimson petals and prominent golden stamens represents 2000+ years of continuous cultivation.

Plants form 1-1.5 m suckering shrubs with deeply fragrant flowers in early summer (non-repeat blooming). The petals are the traditional source of rose apothecary preparations: they retain their fragrance and therapeutic properties when dried, unlike most roses.

Reputed to be the 'Red Rose of Lancaster' used in the 15th-century Wars of the Roses. Still commercially grown at Provins for rose petal products. A cornerstone heritage rose of every serious historic garden.

Medicinal
Fragrant

WATER

Low water

Minimal water

LIGHT

Full sun

6+ hrs direct

HARDY

Hardy to -30°F (-34°C)

USDA hardiness zones 4–9

How to care for Apothecary's Rose

Watering

Springevery 5 days
Summerevery 3 days
Fallevery 7 days
Winterevery 14 days

Soil · Rich & well-draining

Top dressingCompost10%
Main mixPotting soil + compost 3:180%
DrainageGravel10%

Top up the compost layer each season.

FERTILIZER

Balanced Feed 14-14-14

An even feed covers all three needs at once, keeping leaves, roots and blooms moving together with nothing pushed out of balance.

N33%P33%K33%

Nitrogen · Leaves
Phosphorus · Roots + Blooms
Potassium · Strength

Springevery 30 days
Summerevery 30 days
Fallevery 45 days

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At a Glance

NativeEurope, Mediterranean
Height3–5 ft (0.9–1.5 m)
Spread3–4 ft (0.9–1.2 m)
Flower colorRed, Burgundy, Pink
Foliage colorGreen
Fruit colorRed
SoilLoamy, Well-drained, Rich
LocationsYard

Bloom time

BLOOM CYCLE

Peak bloom

May–Jun

Single flush of deeply fragrant crimson flowers in early summer; non-repeat-blooming.

Fragrance

STRONG FRAGRANCE

Classic intense old-rose fragrance; retains scent when dried.

Toxicity

No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant.

Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

DISTRIBUTION

Native
Introduced

Europe
Mediterranean

History

Illustrated historical scene for Apothecary's Rose

Rosa gallica is native to central and southern Europe. The cultivar 'Officinalis' (the Apothecary's Rose) has been cultivated continuously for at least 2000 years — the oldest documented rose cultivar in the Western tradition. Pliny the Elder described the 'Rose of Miletus' in his 1st-century Natural History, widely believed to be this plant.

Medieval European monastery gardens grew it for rose petal preparations used in apothecary medicine — 'officinalis' comes from 'officina,' the monastic workshop where medicines were prepared. From the 13th century the town of Provins in the Brie region of France became the European center of commercial rose cultivation: thousands of acres were dedicated to R. gallica 'Officinalis' for the production of rose oil, rosewater, and dried petal preparations. Provins rose petals were traded across medieval Europe and remained a major industry for centuries.

The rose is traditionally identified as the Red Rose of Lancaster adopted as the heraldic emblem of the House of Lancaster during the 15th-century Wars of the Roses against the White Rose of York (Rosa × alba). Thomas Jefferson grew the Apothecary's Rose at Monticello. It remains in small-scale commercial cultivation at Provins today, is grown in historic gardens worldwide, and is the primary genetic parent of numerous later rose cultivars via R. gallica × damascena breeding. Cultivated by ancient Greeks and Romans; Roman historian Pliny the Elder described it.

Symbolism & meaning

What It Symbolizes

The Apothecary's Rose carries love, beauty, and old household care in one deep pink bloom. Grown for centuries in cloister gardens and cottage plots, it connects fragrance with memory more than fashion. Its symbolism is heritage: a rose that feels less bred than inherited.

Enduring Love — 2000+ years of continuous cultivation for beauty and medicine
Heritage — Living link to medieval monastery and apothecary gardens

Where the Name Comes From

The name Apothecary's Rose describes its rose-like blooms. Rosa from Latin/Greek; 'gallica' means Gallic/French; 'Officinalis' marks plants formally listed in pharmacy (from 'officina,' the monastic workshop).

Uses & Fun Facts

Apothecary rose petals used in jams and rosewater
Historical medicinal rose of medieval European apothecaries
Petals retain strong perfume even after drying
Symbol of the House of Lancaster in the Wars of the Roses

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Frequently asked questions

How often should I water Apothecary's Rose?

In summer, water about every 3 days; in winter, about every 14 days. Adjust for heat, pot size and drainage.

How much light does Apothecary's Rose need?

Full sun: 6+ hrs direct. Watch the leaves — scorching or stretching means the light needs adjusting.

Is Apothecary's Rose toxic to cats or dogs?

No toxicity has been reported for this plant. Still, it is wise to keep pets from chewing on any houseplant. Educational information, not medical or veterinary advice. If exposure is suspected, contact a doctor or veterinarian.

Is Apothecary's Rose easy to grow?

Yes — it is considered an easy, beginner-friendly plant.

When does Apothecary's Rose bloom?

It typically blooms May–Jun in the Northern Hemisphere.

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