Desert Rose Care & Feeding

Location

• Desert rose needs a bright indoor location during the winter months; placing it near a sunny window is a good choice. In the summer, the plant thrives if moved outdoors into full or part sun. Desert rose will not survive in temperatures under 54 degrees F, but according to Bonsai Clubs International, in the winter desert rose requires cool temperatures of between 54 and 61 degrees F. Therefore, it must be kept in a lightly heated room, away from fireplaces, wood stoves, forced air vents or other heating sources.

  Because desert rose cannot tolerate soil that's too damp, it's best to pot the plant. Use a pot with plenty of drainage holes and place a half-inch layer of pebbles at the bottom to improve drainage further.

Watering

• In the winter months, desert rose requires little water. However, do not allow the soil to become hard. As the weather warms and the plant begins growing and blooming, keep the soil slightly moist, but never soggy. If overwatered, the leaves will fall off. Keeping a saucer or bowl of water beneath the pot is a good way to give the plant the correct amount of water.

Fertilizing

• Fish emulsion or bonsai fertilizer is appropriate during the growing season. Fertilize no more than once a month.

Other Care

• Desert rose may be pruned to shape the plant, but don't prune during or immediately after the plant's winter resting period. Prune lightly, or the plant may weaken and die. Wear gloves and wash hands after pruning; desert rose's sap is poisonous.

  Desert rose should be repotted about every 2 years, just after its winter rest. For best results, use a mixture of 2 parts peat, 2 parts bonsai potting soil and 1 part sand.

Propogation

• Wanapluk Garden, which specialized in tropical plants, advises propagation by cuttings. Using freshly cleaned hand pruners, take 5-inch cuttings from a healthy plant. Ideally the cutting should have no leaves, but leaves may be removed with pruners, if necessary. Dip the cut end into rooting hormone and shake off any excess powder. Place the cutting in a mixture of perlite and slightly damp peat. Place a plastic baggie over the cutting. Once cutting takes root, gradually remove the baggies.