Desert Rose

Desert rose plants are native to hot, sunny East Africa and Arabia. These flowering plants can be grown indoors in containers or outside in the garden in USDA zones 10 to 11, where the winters are warm.

Does desert rose like sun or shade?

The desert rose flowering plant grows well in desert settings and will bloom beautifully with full, bright sun. They can also do well with bright morning sun or bright afternoon sun but may not flower as heavy. If kept in the shade, these plants become leggy and weak-stemmed.

Do desert roses come back every year?

Desert roses typically bloom for several weeks throughout spring and summer. With proper care, some new and improved cultivars may bloom year round. Again, be patient.

Is desert rose an indoor plant?

Desert roses are brightly flowering plants with thick trunks that thrive in warm climates. You can keep them as houseplants or outdoors in your yard.

How poisonous is desert rose?

Symptoms: All parts of the plant are toxic. Symptoms may include slow heart beat, low blood pressure, lethargy, dizziness and stomach upset. Warning: Seek urgent medical attention for any ingestion.

What is special about desert rose?

Desert rose looks like a bonsai; it has a thick, swollen truck (that holds water during times of drought) and shiny, dark green leaves. But the real appeal comes from its showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that appear in festive shades of pink, white, purple, and red.

What months does a desert rose bloom?

Desert roses typically bloom in spring and summer. However, some outdoor desert roses may bloom more often depending on the care and sunlight they receive. Some may even bloom year-round.

How do you keep a desert rose blooming?

Desert rose will bloom about seven to eight months after sowing, depending on the cultivation conditions. To encourage blooming, make sure your plant receives at least six hours of sunlight and provide fertilizer at least once a month during spring and summer.

How often should I water desert rose?

Desert roses will survive during fall and winter with once a month watering. These drought-tolerant plants store water during the rainy season in their thick, bulbous roots and fat base trunk. A perfect indicator of an adequate moisture level is the trunk of the plant.

Can you touch a desert rose?

Its sap is poisonous and should never come into contact with children or pets. It is suggested that if you get sap on yourself while handling the plant, wash your hands immediately.

Should you trim a desert rose plant?

In the desert we generally prune most roses twice a year: a severe cut back in January or February and a moderate pruning in September. The winter pruning involves cutting the plants back hard as well as removing all leaves, which brings on a showy spring bloom.

Do you need to trim a desert rose?

You really only need to do one big prune of your desert rose bush once per year. Prune in late February or early March, just as new growth emerges and before the blossoms start to appear.

How big will a desert rose get?

Over time, your desert rose can reach four or five feet tall and the lower portion of the trunk, called the caudex, will widen and swell.

How do you care for a potted desert rose?

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.

What is the lowest temperature a desert rose can tolerate?

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. According to the Costa Farms website, desert rose is usually killed by temperatures of 32 F or lower.

Are desert roses toxic to dogs?

The desert rose is a flowering succulent that can grow into a tree-like form. While this is a gorgeous addition to any home, it is toxic to your dog if ingested or licked. If you believe your dog licked or chewed on this plant, take him to a veterinarian immediately. Protect yourself and your pet.

Is a desert rose hard to care for?

The Desert rose plant is easy to grow and maintain. Thanks to its bulbous trunk, it can tolerate hot and dry conditions. This succulent plant stores water in its swollen stem and roots to survive the drought conditions—an adaptation to tropical plants' way of life.

Can desert rose survive a freeze?

Plants that need to be brought indoors are those that are damaged when temperatures dip below 40 degrees and those that cannot survive freezing temperatures like today's featured plant, the desert rose.

How long can a desert rose live?

Includes one actively growing plant in a 4" pot. A native of East Africa and a relative of the plumeria. The Desert Rose is a succulent plant that can live for hundreds of years. It makes a perfect companion for cacti and other succulents!

What does desert rose smell like?

Take in the splendor and elegant aroma of fresh cut roses in full bloom. A fitting homage to the most romantic and evocative of flowers, Desert Rose combines the warm smoky notes of oud and the distinctness of clove to accompany its more delicate floral notes.