A method for applying a serrated rear edge to a blade rear edge of a rotor blade of a wind turbine that has a pressure side and a suction side. The method comprises the steps: disposing the serrated rear edge, with an attaching portion, on a surface of the blade rear edge, and attaching the serrated rear edge, in the region of the attaching portion, to the rotor blade by means of adhesive, the serrated rear edge being disposed on the suction side and being additionally fixed by application of an overlapping material strip to the pressure side, and the material strip being disposed on the pressure side and on the serrated rear edge such that it overlaps a transition between the blade rear edge and the serrated rear edge, or the serrated rear edge being disposed on the pressure side and additionally fixed by application of an overlapping material strip to the suction side, and the material strip being disposed on the suction side and on the serrated rear edge such that it overlaps a transition between the blade rear edge and the serrated rear edge.