Adenium obesum

How to Grow Desert Rose

The Desert Rose with its sculpted trunk is a beautiful plant with lots of red or pink flowers that appear in the Spring and Summer. It is a very hardy plant that is resistant to most pest and diseases, so a perfect addition to almost any garden!

Full Sun, Part Shade or Indoors Well-Lit

Low Watering

Light & Very Well-Drained Soil

Suitable for all Australian Climates

How to Grow Desert Rose in a Garden

Step 1

Choose a sunny spot with well drained soil. Enrich the soil with Yates Dynamic Lifter Soil Improver & Plant Fertiliser. In areas with heavy or clay soil, to help improve soil structure and drainage, add gypsum and mix in well.

Step 2

Dig the planting hole twice as wide and to the same depth as the root-ball. Remove the plant from the container, gently tease the roots and cut away any circled or tangled roots.

Step 3

Position in hole and backfill with soil, gently firming down. Form a raised doughnut shaped ring of soil around the outer edge of the plant's root zone. This helps keep water where it's needed. Always water in well after planting to settle the soil around the roots and keep the soil moist for several weeks while the new plant establishes.

Step 4

Mulch around the base with organic mulch like bark chips, sugarcane or pea straw, keeping it away from the trunk.

Step 5

Water deeply, once or twice a week, depending on weather conditions.

Step 6

Feed every two weeks in their growing season, Spring and Summer, with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

How to Grow Desert Rose in a Pot

Step 1

Choose a well lit spot indoors.

Step 2

Fill a pot with Yates Potting Mix with Dynamic Lifter.

Step 3

Remove the plant from its container, try not to disturb the roots too much. Give the foliage a light prune to encourage new shoots.

Step 4

Position the plant in the middle of the new pot. Fill in around the plant with potting mix and water well.

Step 5

Water deeply on a regular basis in the summer but reduce watering in the winter when conditions cool.

Step 6

Feed every two weeks in their growing season, Spring and Summer with Yates Thrive Roses & Flowers Liquid Plant Food.

Desert Rose Growing Tips

Great for decorative indoor gardens and terrariums.
Propagate from seed or stem cuttings in the warmer months.
Likes to live in a dry-ish soil with moderate water. Does not like wet feet and will rot if there is too much water around its roots.

Can a Desert Rose be Grown Indoors?

Desert Roses can be grown indoors in a brightly lit and warm position, however, they will flower best when positioned in full to part sun (4 hours or more direct sunlight).