The desert rose (Adenium obesum) is a slow-growing plant, only growing about 12 inches per year. It is often used as a bonsai plant thanks to its thick succulent trunk, thin and delicate leaves, and luscious, deep pink trumpeting flowers.

Can you plant desert rose in the ground?

Mature, well-established Desert Rose plants enjoy bright, full sunlight. They can be planted directly into the ground outdoors, but because they are tropical and not cold hardy at all it is usually better to plant them in containers so make moving indoors for the winter easier.

Where should I plant a desert rose?

Desert rose succulents like bright light, so a southern window exposure provides enough sun for the plants to flourish and bloom. In the garden, choose a sunny location that has some protection from noonday sun, as this can scorch the foliage. Soil is very important.

How long does a desert rose plant live?

Tip. Outdoors, desert roses bloom in summer, with the possibility of additional blooms through the year. As houseplants, desert roses generally only bloom in summer according to Missouri Botanical Garden. Desert rose blooms last about seven days according to Ornamental Horticulture.

Does desert rose need full sun?

The Desert Rose thrives in full sun with regular watering in the summer. When temperatures drop to 55 degrees or lower, you should cut back on watering quite a bit. Using a terra cotta pot is ideal, since this allows water to drain quickly. Use a cactus mix when re-potting and take care not to use a too-large pot.

How deep should a desert rose be planted?

We recommend an 8 inch ceramic or clay pot that is no deeper than 4 inches (a cactus type pot). Please avoid using plastic pots. When replanting make sure to use a quick draining cactus type potting mix and do not plant deeper than original soil line.

How do you make desert roses grow faster?

Choose a sunny position; in tropical and arid areas some light shade from midday will protect it from scorching. Plant so the base of caudex (trunk) is at or just above soil level – never “bury” a desert rose. Soil should be free-draining and gravelly, but a richer loam will be tolerated.

What is desert rose worth?

Typically more than 500 pieces of Franciscan’s Desert Rose are offered on eBay each week. At its price peak, a five-piece place setting of Desert Rose sold for between $40 and $45. Today, a good price is $25 per place setting.

Is Epsom salt good for desert roses?

Rose growers, in particular, are strong advocates for using Epsom salts. They claim it not only makes the foliage greener and lusher, but it also produces more canes and more roses. … For ongoing rose care, mix 1 tablespoon of Epsom salts per gallon of water and apply as a foliar spray.

How do you keep a desert rose blooming?

Feed an outdoor plant two or three times during spring and summer, using a balanced, water soluble fertilizer. Feed indoor Adeniums every week during spring and summer, using a water-soluble fertilizer diluted to half strength. To encourage flowering, it may also help to use a phosphorus-rich fertilizer or bone meal.

Article first time published on

When should I water my Desert Rose?

The desert rose only needs watering when the soil feels dry. In the winter, it only needs water every three or four weeks. This lets it be dormant so it can bloom better in the springtime [source: Sidhe]. The desert rose can be fertilized once a month in the spring and summer.

When should Adenium be repotted?

Generally speaking, it is best to repot the plant during warm weather and the plants’ active growing season. Early to mid spring is best. When you do this, the plants’ roots will have plenty of time to grow and establish through the spring and summer before their dormancy in the winter.

How cold can Desert Rose tolerate?

It grows in U.S. Department of Agriculture plant hardiness zones 10a through 12. Desert rose is damaged by temperatures below 35 degrees Fahrenheit but above 32 F, but if the cold-damaged areas are removed, it can recover. It is usually killed by temperatures of 32 F or lower.

Can a Desert Rose grow indoors?

When grown indoors, a Desert Rose can be 2ft – 5ft tall and 1ft -3 ft wide. Desert Rose plants have beautiful flowers and sparse small leaves. … A Desert Rose plant requires bright indirect light. High light refers only to bright indirect light since direct sun often burns the leaves of indoor houseplants.

Do desert roses lose their leaves in winter?

Depending upon the part of the USA you are located your adenium plants will go into dormancy during winter. … In some areas it means 100% of all leaves will drop and very slow or no growth until late winter/spring time will occur.

Does Desert Rose need lots of water?

As its name implies, the desert rose is a desert-like plant that doesn’t need extra water. It has varying water needs through different seasons. During the late spring and summer months, its growing season, keep the soil moist. A periodic check on plants before watering will give you an idea of when to water or not.

Why is my desert rose drooping?

Drooping branches on an adenium is almost never a good sign. Obviously, the plant has lost it’s turgor, which means there is a low amount of water in the plant. It could be that it simply is underwatered. So if the soil is excessively dry, give it a drink.

Why is my Desert Rose leaves turning yellow and falling off?

Leaves Yellow On Adeniums Due To Seasonal Change When grown outdoors or in a very cool setting indoors, the plants’ leaves may turn yellow with leaf drop in autumn. This signals a transition into a dormant state. You choose whether to overwinter the Desert Rose as an active houseplant or allow it to go into dormancy.

Where do you put Desert Rose crystals?

Place a piece of Desert Rose in the four corners of your home to ward off negative energies and elements. This stone is associated with wood energy. If you place it in the east or southeast area of your room or your home, you will be inviting or enhancing energies of abundance and prosperity.

What is the best fertilizer for desert roses?

To encourage growth and flowering, the desert rose plant responds well to a phosphorus-rich fertilizer. Bone meal fertilizer is rich in phosphorus and a good choice for feeding desert rose Adeniums.

Is Desert Rose poisonous?

Symptoms: All parts of the plant are toxic. Symptoms may include slow heart beat, low blood pressure, lethargy, dizziness and stomach upset.

Should I water my desert rose after repotting?

Once you’ve planted the desert rose in its new container, firm the soil up around the roots and water it a day or two after repotting. Continue watering several times weekly during the growing season, but cut back to monthly waterings during winter when the plant is dormant.

Can you trim a desert rose plant?

Although desert rose is a beautiful, low-maintenance plant, it can become long and leggy in time. … Pruning a desert rose will avoid this problem by creating a bushy, fuller-looking plant. Cutting back a desert rose also creates more stems, which means more flowers.

Can desert rose stay outside?

Your Desert Rose can even spend most of its life outdoors if you live in a frost-free area, but if winter frost is a possibility, you need to provide some protection. You can expect your plant to live for many years and make steady growth.

Can I use Miracle Grow on Desert Rose?

You may see it said on some of the forums that Miracle Grow and the knockoffs are no good for Desert Roses. Both of these are fine as long as you don’t expect them to act as a foliar feed as they do on other plants. The leaf coating on adeniums prevents uptake as a foliar feed. Use them on the soil instead.

When can I trim my Desert Rose?

You can prune a desert rose year-round, though pruning the plant in late fall may promote a flush of new growth that is especially susceptible to cold weather damage. Blooming occurs on new growth, so timing pruning well before flowering encourages more branching and, as a result, more blooms to develop.

How do you clean a Desert Rose?

On occasion your crystal may need cleaning (as in getting the dust off), in which case, either vacuum it with care, or use a slightly dampened sponge or cloth that has been thoroughly rung out first, to wipe over it.

What is desert rose crystal used for?

The Desert Rose Crystal is also referred to as the Sand Rose, Selenite Rose or Gypsum Rose. Found in dry, desert regions, each one is said to contain a unique spirit guardian. They have traditionally been used as talismans for protection, overcoming phobias and to help boost self confidence.

Where does Desert Rose come from?

They are located in the surroundings of the Salt Lake of Chott el Djerid in South-West Tunisia. Local inhabitants extract them and sell them as souvenirs to tourists, creating a sustainable income to local population.

Do desert roses lose their leaves?

Like many plants, desert rose will react to stress by dropping some leaves. Once it adapts to its new home, it should recover and put out fresh new foliage. Also be sure your desert rose is getting enough light. The plant can lose foliage when it’s grown in too much shade, especially if it is overwatered and in shade.

Why are my desert rose leaves curling?

The curling of the leaves usually indicates that your plant needs nutrients. … The moisture form the ground evaporates and the wetness/humidity was transferring the mildew onto the bottom of he leaves causing dark spots on the desert rose plants.