There are five varieties of true Desert Rose, and all are native to arid or semi-arid climates, but they can all adapt well to tropical and semi-tropical environments.
In fact, these hardy desert dwellers adapt to almost any situation as long as they have plenty of sun and heat and well-draining soil.
In very warm climates, the Desert Rose is happy and productive outdoors year-round. These plants love to be in direct sun with temperatures of at least 70°F, but they can do very well in temperatures of up to 100°Fahrenheit.
In North America and other environments where temperatures drop below 40 degrees Fahrenheit for extended periods, the plant blooms profusely during the warmer months.
The blooms are long-lasting and are attractive to hummingbirds and pollinators such as bees and butterflies. When the weather starts to cool, you need to bring your Adenium indoors to enjoy during the winter.
Adenium is a sun lover
The flowering desert rose grows well in desert environments and will bloom beautifully in full, strong sun. They also do well in bright morning sun or bright afternoon sun but may not flower as heavily. If kept in the shade, these plants become bony and weakly stalked.
Although strong sun stimulates flower production, the desert rose takes a break during the hottest and wettest months of the growing season. This results in two periods of flowering. You will see flowers begin to develop in early spring. With the right amount of light, your plant should bloom steadily until mid-summer.
At this point, flowering will cease for 6-8 weeks before resuming in the early autumn months. When the weather starts to get cold (55 degrees Fahrenheit or less on a consistent basis) give your plant a good pruning and bring it indoors.
In a very bright, warm environment such as a greenhouse, Adenium can remain active during the winter months. If you bring your plant indoors for the winter, it will probably stay in a semi-dormant state until spring. During this time, just keep it in a warm room with bright, indirect light.
Water moderately in hot weather and sparingly in cool weather
Desert Rose has a nice, warm rainy season, but when the weather is cold, you need to cut back on watering. Some say it’s best to think of your Adenium as a tropical plant in the spring and summer and as a cactus in the fall and winter.
The most important thing to remember is that the roots must never become waterlogged. During the growing season, check the soil every few days in container plants. When the plant is completely dry, water slowly and carefully. Saturate the soil, but do not soak it. The soil should be moist, not wet, and there should be no standing water. Use a well-drained soil and allow the soil mixture to dry out thoroughly before watering again.
If planting directly in the landscape, be sure to place your Adenium on a bit of a slope so that the water can run off after heavy rains. Desert Rose growing outdoors is incredibly drought tolerant and may not need to be watered once established. In times of extreme drought, water deeply, sometimes with a slow drip for several hours during the coolest part of the day.
