Desert Rose
A succulent shrub with a fat, sculptural trunk and flared trumpet flowers in pink, red or white, like a bonsai that blooms. Wants heat, full sun and very little water, and drops its leaves for a winter rest. Toxic to pets.
The desert rose is a succulent that thinks it is a tree. Over years it builds a swollen, bottle-shaped trunk, the caudex, that stores water through African dry seasons, topped with a few branches and glossy leaves. In summer it covers itself in wide trumpet flowers, pink in the species and every shade from white to deep red in the hybrids. A big old one looks like a bonsai that flowers.
It wants exactly what its name suggests: sun, heat and drought. Indoors that means the sunniest window you have and a watering can used sparingly. It drops its leaves and rests through winter, which alarms people the first time.
Light
Full sun, as much as you can give it. A south or west window with no curtain, or outdoors in summer. In anything less it stretches, flowers poorly and the trunk stays thin. This is one of the few houseplants that genuinely wants direct sun all day.
Water
In summer, when it is in leaf and growing, soak the pot when the soil is fully dry, about every ten days, and let it drain completely. In autumn, as the leaves yellow and drop, cut right back. In winter, while leafless, water once a month at most or not at all if the room is cool. The caudex holds all it needs. Water on a cold, leafless plant rots it.
Soil and potting
A very gritty, fast-draining mix: cactus soil with extra pumice or perlite, at least half mineral. Terracotta pot with drainage. Repot every two years in spring, one size up, and raise the caudex a little above the soil each time to show the trunk.
Feeding
Half-strength balanced or bloom feed every four weeks in spring and summer. Nothing in the dormant season.
Propagation
Seed, which grows the fat caudex; cuttings root but stay thin-trunked. Sow fresh seed in warm, gritty mix in spring. Grafting hybrid tops onto seedling trunks is how the fancy flowers are produced.
In a hot, dry home
Made for it. It is a plant of Arabian and African deserts and will be happier in a hot, dry, bright house than almost anywhere else indoors. Give it the sunniest window, keep it out of the cold AC pool on the floor, water every ten days in summer and barely in winter. It can spend summer outside on a patio.
Desert Rose varieties
Same care, different look. These are the named forms you will see for sale.
- Obesum (pink)
The species: pink trumpet flowers with a paler throat. Most common.
- Grafted hybrids
Double, red, white and striped flowers grafted onto a seedling trunk. Flower sooner and more.
- Arabicum
A squat, wide-trunked form with smaller leaves. Grown for the trunk.
Problems and fixes
Leaves yellowing and dropping in autumn
Likely cause: Normal dormancy
Fix: Reduce watering and wait for spring.
Caudex soft or wrinkled and dark
Likely cause: Rot from winter watering
Fix: Stop watering; cut away soft tissue; dust with sulphur; repot dry.
Long, weak stems, no flowers
Likely cause: Not enough sun
Fix: Move it to full sun; prune the leggy growth in spring.
Sticky leaves, small insects
Likely cause: Aphids or mealybugs on new growth
Fix: Wipe off; treat with insecticidal soap.
Desert Rose questions
Is desert rose safe for pets?
No. The sap contains cardiac glycosides and is toxic to cats, dogs and people if eaten. Keep it out of reach and wash your hands after handling cut stems.
Why did it lose all its leaves?
Winter dormancy. Adeniums drop their leaves when days shorten and cool. Stop watering and they return in spring.
When does it flower?
Late spring through summer, in full sun. Grafted hybrids flower younger; seedlings take a few years.
Plants with a similar rhythm
Ponytail Palm
- Light
- Bright indirect to direct sun
- Water
- Every 3 weeks
- Pets
- Safe
Jade Plant
- Light
- Bright indirect to direct sun
- Water
- Every 2 weeks
- Pets
- Toxic
Crown of Thorns
- Light
- Bright indirect to direct sun
- Water
- Every 10 days
- Pets
- Toxic
