Guide to the Best Roses for Making Essential Oils

Rose essential oil, prized for its rich fragrance and therapeutic properties, is one of the most sought-after floral oils in perfumery, aromatherapy, and skincare. Not all roses are suitable for producing high-quality essential oil, as the process requires varieties with strong, lasting scents and high oil content. The best roses for essential oil production are typically those with intense fragrances, abundant petals, and resilience in cultivation. Below are some of the top rose varieties for making essential oils, along with details on their scents, growing conditions, and oil production tips.

1. Damask Rose (Rosa damascena)

Scent Profile: Deep, sweet, and floral with rich, honey-like undertones and a slightly spicy edge.

Why It’s Great: The Damask rose is the gold standard for rose essential oil, often referred to as "Rose Otto" when steam-distilled or "Rose Absolute" when solvent-extracted. It has a high oil content and a complex, long-lasting fragrance cherished in perfumery.

Growing Conditions: Prefers well-drained, loamy soil and full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 4-10, it thrives in temperate climates with mild winters and warm summers. Regular pruning encourages blooming.

Oil Production Tips: Harvest blooms in the early morning when oil content is highest, typically in late spring to early summer. Steam distillation is the preferred method for producing Rose Otto, requiring approximately 2,500-3,000 pounds of petals to yield 1 pound of oil.

Uses: Perfumes, aromatherapy, and luxury skincare products.

2. Centifolia Rose (Rosa centifolia)

Scent Profile: Sweet, warm, and intensely floral with a softer, less spicy note than Damask roses.

Why It’s Great: Known as the "Cabbage Rose" for its many-petaled blooms, Rosa centifolia is another classic choice for essential oil. It produces a highly fragrant oil, often used in perfumery as Rose Absolute due to its delicate aroma.

Growing Conditions: Thrives in rich, well-drained soil with full sun to partial shade. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, it prefers cooler climates and benefits from mulching to retain moisture.

Oil Production Tips: Harvest fully open flowers in the morning during peak bloom season (late spring to early summer). Solvent extraction is commonly used to produce Rose Absolute, as the oil yield is lower than Damask roses. Approximately 4,000 pounds of petals yield 1 pound of oil.

Uses: High-end perfumes, cosmetics, and aromatherapy blends.

3. Bourbon Rose (Rosa Bourbon)

Scent Profile: Rich, sweet, and fruity with a warm, velvety floral aroma.

Why It’s Great: Bourbon roses, a hybrid between Damask and China roses, offer a robust fragrance and are valued for their oil in smaller-scale production. Their scent is less intense than Damask but still highly aromatic.

Growing Conditions: Prefers fertile, well-drained soil and full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 5-9, it tolerates a range of climates but requires good air circulation to prevent disease.

Oil Production Tips: Harvest blooms at peak fragrance, typically in early summer. Steam distillation or solvent extraction can be used, though yields are lower than Damask or Centifolia roses. Use fresh petals for the best results.

Uses: Niche perfumes, homemade essential oils, and skincare formulations.

4. Gallica Rose (Rosa gallica)

Scent Profile: Strong, sweet, and slightly spicy with a classic "old rose" fragrance.

Why It’s Great: One of the oldest rose species, Rosa gallica (also known as the "French Rose") has a potent scent and was historically used for medicinal and aromatic purposes. Its oil is less common but highly valued for its authenticity.

Growing Conditions: Grows well in well-drained, slightly acidic soil with full sun. Hardy in USDA zones 4-8, it’s drought-tolerant once established and requires minimal care.

Oil Production Tips: Harvest flowers in the morning during their single blooming season (early summer). Steam distillation produces a small yield of oil, often requiring large quantities of petals (3,000-4,000 pounds per pound of oil).

Uses: Specialty perfumes, aromatherapy, and historical reenactment products.

5. Alba Rose (Rosa alba)

Scent Profile: Delicate, sweet, and floral with a fresh, slightly citrusy note.

Why It’s Great: Alba roses, known as "White Roses," have a refined fragrance and were once used in medieval apothecaries. While their oil yield is lower, their unique scent makes them a niche choice for essential oil production.

Growing Conditions: Prefers rich, well-drained soil and full sun to partial shade. Hardy in USDA zones 3-8, it’s highly disease-resistant and thrives in cooler climates.

Oil Production Tips: Harvest blooms in early summer when fully open. Steam distillation is the best method, though yields are modest. Use fresh petals to maximize oil extraction.

Uses: Aromatherapy, light perfumes, and natural skincare products.

General Tips for Making Rose Essential Oil

Rose Selection: Choose varieties with strong, persistent fragrances and high petal counts, as these contain more essential oil. Damask and Centifolia roses are the most widely used commercially.

Harvesting: Pick roses in the early morning after the dew has dried but before the heat of the day reduces oil content. Harvest during peak bloom season for maximum fragrance.

Drying (Optional): For solvent extraction, petals can be dried to concentrate oil, but fresh petals are preferred for steam distillation to preserve volatile compounds.

Extraction Methods: Steam distillation produces pure Rose Otto, ideal for therapeutic use, while solvent extraction yields Rose Absolute, preferred in perfumery. Home distillation is possible with a small still, but yields will be minimal.

Oil Yield: Rose oil production is labor-intensive, requiring 2,500-4,000 pounds of petals per pound of oil, depending on the variety and method. This is why rose oil is one of the most expensive essential oils.

Storage: Store rose essential oil in dark glass bottles in a cool, dry place to preserve its potency and fragrance. Properly stored oil can last for years.

Basic Home Rose Essential Oil Method (Steam Distillation)

Equipment:

- Small steam distiller (available online or from specialty suppliers)

- 2-3 pounds fresh rose petals (preferably Damask or Centifolia)

- Distilled water

Instructions:

1. Rinse petals gently to remove dirt or insects, then pat dry.

2. Place petals in the distiller’s plant material chamber.

3. Add distilled water to the water chamber and heat according to the distiller’s instructions.

4. Run the distillation process, collecting the hydrosol (rose water) and essential oil as they separate. The oil will float on top of the hydrosol.

5. Carefully separate the oil using a dropper or separator funnel and store in a dark glass bottle.

Note: Home distillation yields very small amounts of oil (often less than a teaspoon per batch), so this method is best for experimentation or personal use.

Producing rose essential oil requires patience, skill, and the right rose varieties. Damask, Centifolia, Bourbon, Gallica, and Alba roses stand out as the best choices due to their exceptional fragrances, oil content, and historical use in oil production. While commercial production relies heavily on Damask and Centifolia roses, home enthusiasts can experiment with any of these varieties to create small batches of this luxurious oil. Whether for aromatherapy, perfumery, or skincare, rose essential oil captures the timeless essence of the rose in every drop.