It is native to Africa, the Middle East, and Madagascar.
Desert rose is an indoor or outdoor plant depending on your location.
It’s best planted in the spring, and it will die if exposed to frost and freezing temperatures.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The soil should have a neutral toacidic pH, ideally hovering right around 6.0.
Check on the soil periodically and allow it to dry out completely before watering.
Plant your desert rose in a container that has ample drainage holes.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
The desert rose can be susceptible to rot if it becomes too moist.
It thrives best at temperatures between 65F and 90F.
It will not likely survive any prolonged frost outdoors.
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
Humidity is not important to the desert rose because it is accustomed to a dry, hot climate.
Do not fertilize the plant during its dormant period.
Is this the right plant for you?
The Spruce / Adrienne Legault
However, the most common and easiest to find isAdenium obesum.
Remove cold-damaged growth as soon as new growth emerges.
Trim long, lanky stems to balance the stem growth symmetrically.
Propagating a Desert Rose
Desert rose can be grown from branch cuttings.
Knock away the old soil from the roots and remove any rotted or dead roots in the process.
If you make any cuts or notice bruises, you could topically apply a fungicide or antibacterial solution.
Let the plant dry for a week or so to reduce the shock to the plant.
After a week, water the plant but ensure water drains thoroughly.
Do not let the plant sit in standing water or soggy soil.
Overwintering
Desert rose cannot endure frost or prolonged cold.
Once temperatures reach 50F, the plant will drop its leaves and trigger itsslowed dormant phase.
It will not need care or light until the spring.
The plant typically blooms during the summer months.
What Do Desert Rose Flowers Look Like?
Desert rose blooms with vibrant pink, rose, or red trumpet-shape flowers and bright green leaves.
When it goes dormant for the winter season, it drops its flowers and foliage.
Give it time to adjust to its new growing environment.
Common Problems With Desert Rose
Desert rose is a relatively disease- and pest-free plant.
The biggest problem affecting this plant is overwatering.
Pest to Watch
Look out for signs of spider mites on your desert rose.
Yellowing Leaves or Leaf Drop
A common sign ofroot rotis yellowing leaves or sudden leaf loss.
You will need to remove damaged leaves and stems and unpot the root ball.
If you notice any blackened, mushy roots, cut away the damaged roots with a sharp knife.
Between cuts, sterilize the knife.
Apply a fungicide, according to the package instructions.
Replant the remaining roots in a well-draining potting mix.
Spotting on Leaves
Powdery mildewleaves blister-like marks on the upper leaf surfaces.
It can lead to distorted growth and a white powdery-looking substance on the leaves, stems, and buds.
This tends to spread more often during cool, damp nights and warm days.
Powdery mildew does not like water.
Mist the plant leaves and apply a fungicide, according to the instructions on the package.
Prune when stems and branches bunch up.
Adequate spacing between plants reduces the risk of powdery mildew.
Speckling on Lower Leaves
Spider mitesare the most common pests for desert rose.
They feed by sucking sap, primarily from the underside of the leaves, causing the leafs to speckle.
Leaf speckling leads to complete discoloration and eventually leaf death.
You will also notice fine webbing and eggs on the underside of the leaves.
Repeat this every several days.
you’re able to also useinsecticidal soaporneem oilfor mite control.
double-check you apply it to the underside of the leaves and all the lower surfaces of the plant.
Just be careful not to give it more water than it needs.
Desert rose is a slow-growing plant.
It won’t grow more than one foot in height per year.
Desert rose can live for decades.
In the right conditions, desert rose could even live for centuries.
Its fragrant flowers are reminiscent of roses.
Hossain, Md Amzad.
Desert Rose.ASPCA
Desert Rose.ASPCA.
