How to Care for Drooping Rose Leaves

Find the source of the problem. Rose leaves will not droop unless something is wrong with the plant. Sources of rose leaf problems are disease and pests, such as bugs.

Remove all dead or infected leaves and destroy them. This step will be completed before treating any type of rose leaf infestation or disease.

Pick off any bugs visible on the leaves. This includes nests, larvae and adult bugs. Use gloves if the bugs make you squeamish. Slugs and snails are easily removed with a paper towel wrapped over your fingers.

Spray the plant with a pesticide suited to your bug problem. Many garden centers will not only recognize pests but know how to get rid of them. If necessary, place the bug in a plastic bag or jar and take it with you to the garden center.

Line the bush with netting which will help prevent jumping bugs, such as leafhoppers. These bugs come from neighboring plants and quickly cause destroyed leaves. Rose nets prevent the creatures from landing on the bush.

Spread a leaf mold compost liberally over the root system to destroy pests attacking the roots, such as nematodes. These bugs will attack the root system, causing the leaves to droop due to lacking nutrients and water.

Spray the leaves with a mix of horticultural oil, dish soap, baking soda and water, especially if there is a powdery mildew on the drooping leaves. This powder is a fungus which attacks the leaves; baking soda kills the fungus.

Rid the leaves of rust with a dormant non-toxic oil, available at garden stores. Droopy leaves will have rusty spots on the bottom and yellow spots on the top if the plant is affected with rose rust. Spray the leaves with the oil to stop the spread of rust.