AdewebsI’ve spent enough mornings in the garden to know roses can be both a joy and a pain—literally. One summer, I was trimming a climbing rose that had gone wild along my fence, and by the time I was done, my arms looked like I’d wrestled a cat. Don’t get me wrong, roses are worth the trouble. Their blooms light up any corner, and the fragrance alone can lift a tired soul. But let’s be honest—those thorns can make pruning, picking, and arranging more of a battle than a pleasure.
That’s when I started looking into thornless or near-thornless rose varieties. To my surprise, there are plenty. Breeders over the years have worked hard to create roses that keep the beauty and fragrance but ditch the painful barbs. It’s a blessing for farmers, gardeners, and even florists who want to handle roses without gloves thick enough for barbed wire. And let’s not forget parents and pet owners—having a rose bush that won’t scratch little hands or curious noses is a game changer.
If you’re in the US, UK, or any place where roses are a staple in home gardens, you’ll find these thornless types a gift. Whether you want them for cut flower arrangements, climbing trellises, or just a tidy border near your porch, there’s a rose for you. I’ve rounded up 30 varieties that are known for having few or no thorns at all. Some are completely smooth, others have just a scattering of spines, but all are easier on the hands than the usual suspects. Let us to continue to know more.
Why Choose Thornless Roses?
Thornless roses aren’t just about saving your skin. They’re practical. Easier pruning, safer planting near pathways, and more enjoyable harvesting for bouquets. You don’t need to keep a first aid kit handy every time you want to bring a vase of roses inside.
And if you’ve ever watched a child run around the garden, you’ll know the peace of mind it brings not worrying about scratched knees or faces when they bump into the bushes. For farmers or small-scale growers, thornless roses also mean faster harvest times. Less snagging clothes, fewer gloves worn out, and fewer scratches slowing you down.
30 Roses with Few or No Thorns
Here’s the list you’ve been waiting for.
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Zephirine Drouhin – Classic climbing Bourbon rose, fragrant and thornless.
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Smooth Angel – Lovely hybrid tea rose with creamy apricot blooms.
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Veilchenblau – Known as the “Violet Blue Rose,” nearly thornless and a stunning rambler.
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Reine des Violettes – Old Garden Rose with rich violet petals and barely a thorn in sight.
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Lady Banks’ Rose (Rosa banksiae) – Small yellow or white flowers, vigorous climber, thornless.
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Cécile Brünner – Sometimes called the “Sweetheart Rose,” soft pink blooms, very few thorns.
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Smooth Satin – Hybrid tea rose with gorgeous lavender-pink petals.
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Smooth Prince – Deep red blooms, upright habit, thornless.
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Madame Alfred Carrière – White climbing rose, highly fragrant and nearly thornless.
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Climbing Pinkie – Cheerful pink polyantha climber, smooth stems.
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Goldfinch – Thornless rambler with clusters of yellow blooms.
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Smooth Delight – Hybrid tea, coral-pink color, no thorns to worry about.
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Basye’s Blueberry – A hardy thornless rose with unique purple-toned leaves.
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Paul Neyron – Giant pink blooms, and the canes are nearly thornless.
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Rosa Laevigata (Cherokee Rose) – Glossy evergreen leaves and single white flowers.
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Smooth Buttercup – A hybrid tea rose with cheerful golden blooms.
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Climbing Iceberg – Almost thornless, with pure white flowers that bloom abundantly.
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Amadis – Purple rambling rose with smooth stems.
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Marie Pavie – Shrub rose with blush pink clusters, minimal thorns.
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Banksiae Lutea – Yellow Lady Banks’ rose, thorn-free climber.
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Zéphirine Drouhin Sport (Kathleen Harrop) – Thornless climbing Bourbon rose with blush pink blooms.
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Basye’s Legacy – Vigorous shrub rose with little to no thorns.
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Climbing Cecile Brünner – Thornless climbing form of the Sweetheart Rose.
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Basye’s Thornless – A shrub bred specifically for smooth stems.
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Pure Perfume – Thornless hybrid tea with intense fragrance.
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Easlea’s Golden Rambler – Bright yellow flowers, almost no thorns.
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Mortimer Sackler – English rose, thornless, with soft blush pink blooms.
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Mme. Plantier – Old Garden Rose, white double blooms, thornless.
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Oklahoma Smoothie – A rare thornless hybrid tea with dark red petals.
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Renae – Pink climbing rose, thornless, with a fruity fragrance.
Tips for Growing Thornless Roses
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Location matters: Plant where they’ll get at least 6 hours of sunlight daily.
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Soil prep: Roses love rich, well-drained soil. Add compost or rotted manure before planting.
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Watering: Deep soak once or twice a week rather than shallow daily watering.
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Pruning: Easier with thornless varieties, but still cut back to promote airflow and shape.
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Feeding: Use a balanced rose fertilizer in spring and again in midsummer.
FAQs
Are thornless roses weaker than regular roses?
Not at all. Many are just as hardy and disease-resistant as thorny types.
Do thornless roses still attract pests?
Yes, aphids and beetles don’t care about thorns. Regular monitoring helps.
Can I grow thornless roses in pots?
Yes, especially smaller varieties like ‘Marie Pavie’ or ‘Cécile Brünner’.
Do they climb well without thorns?
Yes, though without thorns to hook onto supports, you may need to tie them gently.
Do thornless roses still smell as good?
Many of them are strongly fragrant, especially varieties like Zephirine Drouhin.
Wrapping Up
Growing roses doesn’t have to mean scratched arms and torn sleeves. Thornless and nearly thornless varieties let you enjoy the beauty without the battle scars. Whether you’re a farmer cutting buckets for the market, a backyard gardener arranging bouquets for the kitchen, or someone who just wants a safe play area for kids and pets, there’s a rose in this list for you.
Sometimes the simplest changes—like choosing a smoother-stemmed rose—can make gardening a whole lot more enjoyable. So tell me, which of these roses would you want to try in your garden first?
