🌹 Introduction: Why Desi Gulab Is a Valuable Crop
The Desi Gulab (Indian Rose), often referred to as the traditional pink or red rose, has been a cornerstone of Indian gardens, rituals, and ayurvedic medicine for centuries. Beyond its beauty, desi rose petals are used in:
Perfume and attar (rose oil) industry
Rose water production
Ayurveda and skincare
Flavored foods and drinks (Gulkand, Rose sharbat)
With rising demand for organic and ayurvedic products worldwide, Desi Gulab cultivation is now a profitable opportunity for both small and large-scale farmers.
🌱 Ideal Climate and Soil Conditions
Climate:
Semi-tropical to subtropical
Temperature: 15°C to 30°C
Prefers sunny conditions, tolerates mild winters
Soil:
Well-drained loamy soil rich in organic matter
pH: 6.0–7.5
Avoid alkaline and saline soils
🌿 Recommended Varieties of Desi Roses
Rosa damascena – Best for attar and rose water
Rosa centifolia (Cabbage Rose) – Fragrant, good for dry petals
Rosa bourboniana – Dark red rose used in perfume
Pushkar Rose (Rajasthan) – High oil content, favored by distillers
🌸 Propagation and Planting
Propagation methods:
Stem cuttings (most common)
Bud grafting
Root suckers for traditional desi types
Nursery raising:
Use hormone-treated cuttings (Indole-3-butyric acid for rooting)
Plant in poly bags with soil:sand:FYM (1:1:1)
Planting season:
Monsoon (June–August) or post-winter (Feb–March)
Spacing:
1 m x 1 m for open fields
60 cm x 60 cm for high-density planting
🚿 Irrigation and Fertilization
Irrigation:
Every 7–10 days in summer; reduce in rainy season
Avoid water stagnation
Fertilizer schedule:
FYM: 10 kg per plant per year
NPK (per plant): N – 100g, P – 50g, K – 50g split into 2-3 doses
Bio-fertilizers: Trichoderma, Azotobacter recommended for organic setup
🌾 Organic Rose Farming Practices
Use vermicompost, neem cake, panchagavya
Spray Jeevamrut every 15–20 days
Mulching with dried leaves or straw to retain moisture
Natural pest control: neem oil, garlic-chili spray
🐛 Pests and Diseases
Pest/DiseaseSymptomsOrganic ControlAphidsLeaf curling, sticky residueNeem oil, soap water sprayPowdery MildewWhite powder on leavesBaking soda + water sprayThripsBud damage, poor flower qualityNeem oil, blue sticky trapsBlack SpotDark lesions on leavesBordeaux mixture spray
🌺 Flowering, Harvesting, and Yield
Flowering starts: 3–4 months after planting
Harvesting: Early morning when blooms are partially open
Frequency: Every 3–4 days during season (October–April)
Average Yield:
1.5 to 2 tons of fresh petals per acre/year (for oil & rose water)
10–12 kg petals yield 1 liter of rose water
4–5 tons per acre/year for dried flower use (like Gulkand)
🧪 Rose Oil & Rose Water Extraction (Perfume Industry)
Rose Water:
Fresh petals → Steam distillation → Cooling → Collection of rose water
Rose Oil (Attar):
Steam distillation → Condensation → Separation of essential oil
Petals required: 1 ton = approx. 200–250 ml rose oil
Setup cost of distillation unit: ₹1.5–2 lakh (basic), can also be done via co-operative distillers or third-party units.
📈 Market & Profit Potential
ProductSelling Price (approx)Fresh petals₹30–₹80/kg (depends on quality)Rose water₹150–₹300/literRose oil (attar)₹25,000–₹50,000 per literGulkand₹250–₹400 per kgDried petals₹80–₹120/kg (bulk packing)
Target Buyers: Ayurvedic brands, perfumers, export houses, cosmetic companies, food industry
🌐 Export Market
India exports rose products to:
UAE
USA
Germany
Japan
Gulf countries
Certifications Needed:
FSSAI (for food use)
APEDA (for exports)
Organic certification (NPOP, USDA, EU)
🏡 Desi Rose for Home Gardeners
Grow in containers (12–18 inches deep)
Use organic compost + garden soil + cocopeat
5–6 hours sunlight daily
Prune old flowers regularly
Prepare homemade rose water
Organic rose bed layers
Flower harvesting
Distillation unit for rose water and oil
Market packaging visuals
🔚 Conclusion
Desi Gulab farming offers an aromatic and profitable path for natural farming lovers, entrepreneurs, and ayurvedic product sellers. With global demand for organic rose products increasing every year, farmers can turn a simple flower into gold — with the right care, setup, and market strategy.
✍️Real Neel
Founder -Farming writers
Read A sunflower farming full guide 👇
https://worldcrop.wordpress.com/2025/07/31/sunflower-farming-guide/