Desert Rose (Adenium obesum)
Desert rose is a popular succulent from Africa and Arabia that produces pretty pink to red flowers. This plant was grown from seeds collected from the plants in Biosphere 2’s savanna.
LIGHT: Desert roses are sun lovers and do best in full sun.
WATERING: During the warm season, water your desert rose regularly, but allow them to dry down some between waterings. There should not be any standing water in the pot. During the winter, when temperatures begin drop below about 55 degrees Fahrenheit, your plant should come indoors and will need very little water.
SOIL: Make sure the soil for your desert rose is well draining. Bonsai soil mixes work well.
FERTILIZING: Desert roses can be fertilized once a month or so during the growing season with a water-based fertilizer. Do not fertilize during the winter.
TEMPERATURE and HUMIDITY: Desert roses are tolerant of high temperatures of up to 100 degrees Fahrenheit.
PRUNING: You can prune your desert rose as you wish to manage it shape and size. It is best to prune at the beginning of the growing season.
REPOTTING: You will not need to repot your desert rose very often as it is a slow growing plant. When the time comes to repot, use a new pot that is only slightly larger than the old one as too much room will encourage root growth and take away from flowering.
SIZE AT MATURITY: Desert roses can grow up to 9 feet tall.
TOXICITY: Desert roses are toxic if ingested and their sap can be irritating to the skin and eyes.