Desert rose care guide

The desert rose has a fat, swollen trunk, called a caudex, and trumpet-shaped flowers in pink, red, and white. It looks like a tiny bonsai tree in bloom. It wants all the sun and heat you can give it, a dry winter, and gloves when you handle it. The sap is toxic.

Light

Give it your sunniest window, south or west. Six or more hours of direct sun keeps it blooming. A summer outside in full sun is ideal.

In low light, it grows long, thin stems and stops flowering.

Water

Desert rose stores water in its trunk. Its needs change with the seasons.

• Spring and summer. Water when the soil is dry all the way down. In summer heat outside, that may be every few days.
• Fall and winter. As days shorten, it slows down and may drop its leaves. Water only once a month or less, just enough to keep the trunk firm.

A soft, squishy trunk means rot from too much water. A wrinkled trunk means it needs a drink. Read how to tell if a houseplant is overwatered or underwatered.

Soil and potting

Use cactus and succulent mix with extra pumice or perlite. A shallow, wide pot shows off the trunk.

Repot every two years in spring. You can raise the trunk a little higher above the soil each time to show more of it. Wear gloves. See how to repot a houseplant step by step.

Humidity and temperature

Dry indoor air is fine. It loves heat, between 18 and 35°C (65 and 95°F). Keep it above 10°C (50°F). Cold, wet soil kills it.

In a cold climate, move it outside once nights stay above 15°C (60°F). Start it in part shade for a week. Bring it in before nights cool in fall.

Feeding

Feed monthly in spring and summer with a balanced liquid fertilizer at half strength. Skip fall and winter.

Pruning

Prune in spring to shape it and make it branch. More branches means more flower tips. Wear gloves and wash your hands after. The sap is toxic.

Winter leaf drop

In a Canadian winter, with short days and cooler rooms, a desert rose often drops most of its leaves and rests. This is normal. Keep it bright and dry. New leaves come back in spring.

Propagation

• Seed. Plants grown from seed form the fattest trunks. Seeds sprout in a week or two in warm, damp mix.
• Cuttings. Cut a stem 10 to 15 cm (4 to 6 in) long. Let it dry for a few days, then set it in dry cactus mix. Plants from cuttings grow a thinner trunk.

Problems

What you see	Most likely cause
Leaves drop in fall or winter	Normal rest
Soft, squishy trunk	Rot from too much water or cold, wet soil
Wrinkled trunk	Too dry
No flowers	Not enough sun
Long, thin stems	Not enough light
Yellow leaves in summer	Too much water

Pests

Spider mites, mealybugs, and aphids can show up, above all indoors in winter. Check under the leaves and on new growth.

Pet safety

The ASPCA lists desert rose as toxic to cats and dogs. All parts contain heart toxins. Eating it can cause vomiting, diarrhea, an irregular heartbeat, and death. Keep it well out of reach of pets and children, and call your vet right away if a pet chews it.

Varieties

• Single-flowered types have five petals in pink, red, or white, often with a pale throat.
• Double-flowered types have layered, rose-like petals.
• Some types have striped, edged, or near-black flowers.
• Variegated types have cream and green leaves.