How to Care for Desert Rose Plant

The Desert Rose is something you must have for a show-stopper flowering succulent plant. It is a carefree growing plant outdoors, adding beauty to a deck, landscape, or patio.

The Desert Rose plant has an unusual trunk shape with branches and trumpet-shaped flowering in different colors.

So, if you have or have not yet added the Desert Rose to your collection, read on, as caring for this plant is super easy.

Plant Name: Adenium obesum

Other Name: Desert rose, Sabi star, mock azalea, impala lily

Plant Type: Succulent

Native Areas: Tropical Africa, the Arabian peninsula

Light Requirement: Full sun

Watering: Moderate

Fertilizer: Liquid fertilizer

Toxicity: Toxic to humans and pets

Temperature: Warm temperatures

Propagation: Cuttings, seed, or grafting

Growth: 3-9 feet tall and 3-5 feet wide

Soil Type: Well-draining soil

USDA Hardiness Zones: 11-12

More About Desert Rose Plant

The desert rose plant, scientifically known as Adenium obesum, is a striking and unique succulent native to the arid regions of Africa in the Adenium desert and the Arabian Peninsula to the Middle East. It’s popular among gardeners and succulent enthusiasts for its distinctive appearance and beautiful flowers.

The desert rose is a low-maintenance yet slow-growing succulent that can reach a height of up to 6 feet (1.8 meters) in its natural habitat. Its thick, swollen stem and branches give it a bonsai-like appearance. The stem and branches store water, which helps the plant survive in dry conditions.

The leaves of the desert rose are glossy, dark green, and arranged spirally along the bulbous stem. They are generally lance-shaped and can vary in size. One of the most striking features of the desert rose is that they bloom beautifully trumpet-shaped flowers.

These blooms come in various colors, including shades of pink, red, white, and purple. The flowers have a somewhat waxy texture and typically have a contrasting throat color. In some cultures, the desert rose is associated with protection and is believed to bring good luck.

It’s also seen as a symbol of resilience and endurance due to its ability to thrive in harsh desert conditions. Another notable thing is that the desert rose adenium belongs to the dogbane family and is very toxic to humans and pets.

Desert Rose Plants Care Tips

desert rose plant

The desert rose thrives in well-draining soil and requires plenty of sunlight to bloom profusely. They are best suited for warm, arid climates and are sensitive to frost. In regions with cold winters, they can be grown in containers and brought indoors during the colder months.

To care for a desert rose, ensure it receives at least 6 hours of sunlight daily. Water sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between watering sessions. Fertilize during the growing season with a balanced, liquid fertilizer formulated for succulents.

Soil Needs

Choosing the correct soil is crucial for the indoor desert rose plant’s health and well-being. Desert rose plants thrive in soil that is well-draining. This is because their native habitat in arid regions has soil that allows excess water to pass through, preventing rotted or dead roots.

To achieve this, you can use a well-draining cactus or succulent potting mix available at garden centers. An excellent option is potting soil mixed with perlite and coarse sand in equal parts. This mixture helps ensure that water doesn’t pool around the roots.

Compared to other succulent plants, this potting soil is also ideal to use. Desert roses prefer slightly acidic to neutral soil with a pH of 6.0 to 7.0. While the desert rose thrives in soil that drains well, they can benefit from some organic matter to provide nutrients.

Add a small amount of compost or well-rotted manure to the soil mix. Be cautious not to overdo it, as too much organic matter can hinder drainage. If you’re growing your rose desert in a container, ensure it has drainage holes at the bottom to allow excess water to escape.

If planting in the ground, amend the soil in the planting area to create the right conditions.

Light Requirement

desert rose in full sun

Desert rose Adenium obesum flourishes in full sun; the best spot in the home is where it can receive ample light during the day. It is a sun lover and helps to remember when finding the perfect place.

Hence, the southern-facing window will provide bright sunlight as it is a sun-loving plant. If you live in a climate where it is colder, we recommend growing your Desert Rose indoors, as it cannot tolerate frost.

Yet, when planted outdoors, choose a spot without shade or any tall plants in its way. Still, protect your Desert Rose from the mid-day sun that can scorch those gorgeous leaves.

Watering Your Flowering Plants

watering desert rose plant

Okay, the rose plant has varying water needs, depending on the time of the year and the temperature. In the late spring and summer growing season, it helps to keep the soil moist but not waterlogged.

It helps to check the soil and allow it to dry out between watering. When grown indoors, we recommend using a container with many drainage holes. If the Adenium obesum gets too much water, it can lead to root rot. So allow it to completely dry between watering and avoid standing water.

The best potting medium is clay or terra cotta pot, which helps wick excess moisture. During the dormant period in the fall and winter months, you can reduce your plants’ water to once a month. Or you can check the soil to see if it is dry.

The trunk is your answer if you are concerned about water in the growing season. If the plant has a swollen trunk, the plant is hydrated well.

Pruning Desert Rose Plant

Pruning the desert rose is an essential aspect of its care, helping to shape the plant, promote branching, and maintain a healthy appearance. The best time to prune your desert rose is during its actively growing season, typically in spring and early summer.

Avoid heavy pruning during the fall and winter when the plant is more dormant. You’ll need a pair of sharp, clean pruning shears or scissors. It’s essential to use clean tools to prevent the spread of diseases.

Pruning Tropical Plants:

The rose plant can grow tall and leggy. Prune the tips of branches or stems to encourage a more compact and bushy shape. This will promote the development of more branches. Regularly inspect your plant for any dead or diseased branches or stems.

Prune these back to healthy tissue to prevent the spread of issues. After your desert rose has finished flowering, you can deadhead or remove spent flowers to encourage more blooms. Cut the stem just above a node or set of leaves.

Technique:

When making cuts, ensure they are clean and close to a node (where a leaf or branch meets the stem). You can cut back a stem or branch by a third to half its length to promote branching. This will encourage new growth from lower leaf nodes.

If you want to reduce the height of your desert rose, prune the main stem or stems to your desired size, making cuts just above a leaf node.

Be aware that rose plants produce a white, latex-like sap that irritates the skin and eyes. It’s a good idea to wear gloves when pruning to avoid contact with this sap. If liquid fluid gets on your skin, wash it off immediately with soap and water.

After pruning, allowing the cuts to dry and callus for a day or two before watering the plant is a good practice. This helps prevent moisture from entering the fresh wounds and potentially causing rot. Another interesting thing is that many people grow the desert rose as a bonsai plant.

Fertilizing Desert Rose Plant

liquid fertilizer for desert rose plant

You can give your succulent a dose of nutrients for those gorgeous Desert Rose blooms using a liquid fertilizer diluted by half. You can do this once a month in the active growing season but do not feed your Adenium obesum in the dormant period.

Temperature and Humidity Levels

Keep your Adenium obesum essential, or it will die fast to prolonged temperatures below 50° F. Therefore, the recommended temperature for growing Desert Rose flowers is 65° to 90° F.

Luckily, humidity is not in demand when growing Desert Rose plants. The reason is that it thrives in semi-arid climates to produce those colorful flowers.

Repotting and Overwintering

desert rose repotting

As your desert rose is a slow-growing plant indoors, it does not need repotting often. For example, if you notice the root ball filling the container becoming root-bound, you can repot it. Transplanting your rose plant can be done once or every other year.

When you keep your plant indoors in the same container, becoming root-bound slows growth. Winter or early spring is the best time to repot your plant as new growth emerges. Another important thing is to keep your plants dry before removing them from the pot.

You can now inspect the roots to remove dead or damaged vegetation and roots. You can leave your plant to dry for a week before watering it again. If you live in cold climates, it is best to overwinter your Desert Rose plant indoors and stop watering it.

Propagating Adenium Obesum

desert rose seed

Propagating the desert rose Adenium obesum can be an exciting way to create new plants from your existing ones. You can use a few methods for propagation, including seeds, cuttings, and grafting.

Propagation using the seed pod:

  1. Collect ripe desert rose seeds from a mature plant. The seed pods will become dry and split open when the seeds are ready. Thus, you can plant fresh seeds.

  2. Remove the seeds from the pods and let them air dry for a day or two.

  3. Fill a small pot or seed tray with a planting mix suitable for succulents.

  4. Plant the seeds about 1/4 inch deep in the soil, spacing them apart.

  5. Water the soil lightly and cover the pot with a plastic wrap or lid to create a mini greenhouse effect. This helps retain moisture and warmth.

  6. Place the pot in a warm, bright location with indirect sunlight, not in bright sun.

  7. Keep the soil consistently moist but not soggy.

  8. Seedlings should emerge within a few weeks. Once they have several sets of leaves and are large enough to handle, you can transplant them into individual pots.

Propagation by Cuttings:

  • Choose a stem or healthy branch cuttings from the parent plant.

  • Use sharp pruning shears to make a clean cut below a leaf node.

  • Allow the cutting to air dry for a day or two to let the cut end the callus. This helps prevent rot.

  • Fill a small pot with a well-draining soil mix similar to what you’d use for an adult desert rose.

  • Plant the cutting about 1-2 inches deep in the soil.

  • Water the soil lightly and place the pot in a bright but indirect sunlight location.

  • Keep the soil slightly moist but not overly wet. Overwatering can cause the cutting to rot.

Rooting typically takes several weeks to a few months. Once the cutting has established roots and grows well, you can transplant it to a larger pot if needed.

Propagation by Grafting:

Grafting is a more advanced propagation method typically used to preserve specific characteristics of a particular desert rose variety. It involves joining a piece of one desert rose plant (the scion) onto the rootstock of another. Grafting should be done with care and is often best learned through hands-on experience or with the guidance of an experienced gardener.

Desert Rose Varieties

In the Adenium genus, you can find many species, but the common and easiest ones to care for are here.

Adenium obesum subsp. oleifolium

Adenium obesum subsp. oleifolium

The succulent is native to Botswana and South Africa growing up to 16 inches tall with huge tuberous stems. It has narrow olive green leaves with salmon, and pale pink, pink, or red tubular flowers.

Adenium obesum subsp. socotranum

Adenium obesum subsp. socotranum

The Adenium obesum you find native to the Indian Ocean island Socotra. The species can grow up to 15 feet tall and has a huge trunk. It blooms with pink flowers appearing in spring while the plant has no leaves.

Adenium obesum subsp. somalense

Adenium obesum subsp. somalense

The species has blade-like leaves that are narrow and native to Eastern Africa with twisting branches. It can grow up to 16 feet tall with trumpet-shaped flowers in white, crimson-red, or pink.

Desert Rose Diseases and Pests

While the Desert Rose plants are mostly pest and disease-free, there are some problems you can find with your plant. The main culprit is overwatering, resulting in disease and pests.

Leaf Drop or Yellowing Leaves

The first sign of root rot is leaving yellowing and suddenly falling off. If you catch it early enough, you can save your plant. You will need to remove your plant from the container to do this.

Next, trim all the damaged leaves and stems. If you notice dead roots, then it helps to cut them away. Finally, applying a fungicide or antibacterial solution helps when you replant the remaining roots.

Leaf Spots

When the leaves blister, forming powdery mildew on the upper leaf surface, it can lead to distorted growth. You may find it spreading in cooler climates and on warm days. You can mist your plant and apply a fungicide. Also, prune the stems and provide your plant with adequate spacing.

Lower Leaf Speckles

The most common reason for this is spider mites attacking your plant. To check if this is a problem, you can shake the leaves over white paper to look for small dots. Then, a forceful water spray will help detach the spider mites from the foliage.

Alternatively, you can use insecticidal soap or neem oil.

Frequently Asked Questions

Water your desert rose sparingly, allowing the soil to dry out between waterings. The frequency depends on factors like temperature, humidity, and the size of the pot. In general, water when the top inch or two of soil is dry. You may find you need to water your indoor plant a bit more.

You can grow desert rose plants indoors, but they require a sunny window or supplemental grow lights to thrive. Ensure the pot has good drainage, and be cautious not to overwater.

The desert rose typically blooms in response to warm, sunny conditions. Ensure they receive at least 6 hours of sunlight daily during the growing season. You can also use a balanced fertilizer formulated for succulents to promote flowering.

Yes, the desert rose plant produces a white, latex-like sap that can be toxic and irritating to the skin and eyes. It’s advisable to wear gloves when handling the plant and not touch your face or eyes after handling.

The desert rose seeds can take several weeks to a few months to germinate and grow into seedlings. It may take several years for them to mature and produce flowers.

Yellowing leaves can indicate various issues, including overwatering, underwatering, or nutrient deficiencies. Check your watering habits and consider adjusting them accordingly. You can also fertilize your plant with a balanced succulent fertilizer if nutrient deficiency is suspected.

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