Desert Rose Blooming Season: A Gardener’s Guide
Desert roses (Adenium obesum) are intriguing plants usually grown as houseplants. These plants are known for their colorful, rose-like flowers. However, to get the most out of those flowers, you need to know when they’re in season. In this article, I’ll explain when desert roses bloom.
When Do Desert Roses Bloom?
Desert roses can be grown indoors as houseplants or outdoors in USDA Zones 10 to 12. Desert roses bloom from late spring until summer, regardless of where you grow them. During the fall and winter, desert roses will drop their flowers and can also drop their leaves as they go dormant.
In warm, tropical climates with extremely mild winters, desert roses can enjoy a longer blooming period. In some areas, these unusual plants may even flower for much of the year.
How Long Do Desert Roses Last?
Desert roses typically bloom from late spring until summer, usually between April and July. Once the pink and red rose-like flowers appear, each flower will last for about ten days. Desert roses can keep flowering once older blooms fade. Deadheading your desert rose regularly throughout the season helps to encourage more flowers.
How to Care For Desert Roses
Growing Conditions
Desert roses can be grown outdoors in Zones 10 to 12 or as houseplants in colder regions. These succulents must be protected from cold temperatures and cannot handle frost. Desert roses prefer ambient temperatures between 65 and 85ºF (18 to 29ºC). They can be grown outside in a sheltered spot as long as nighttime temperatures don’t fall below 50ºF (10ºC).
Light Requirements
Desert roses require six to eight hours of full sun when grown outdoors. Indoors, desert roses need six to eight hours of bright, indirect sunlight. East or south-facing windows are ideal locations for desert roses that are growing indoors. Provide outdoor desert roses with partial shade in the afternoon to protect them, especially in hot, dry summers.
Soil Requirements
Desert roses have similar soil requirements to cacti and other succulents. Desert roses need loose, well-draining soils that are neutral to slightly acidic. Use soil mixes containing plenty of gravel or sand for optimum drainage. The ideal soil pH range for desert roses is 6.0 to 6.5.
Watering
During the growing season, desert roses require soils that stay slightly moist. During the winter, desert roses should be watered approximately once a month. A good way to check whether your desert rose is getting enough water is to see whether the stem is thick and swollen.
Fertilizing
During the spring and summer, fertilize your desert rose once a month using a balanced liquid fertilizer. Always dilute the fertilizer according to the instructions on the packet. Stop fertilizing your desert rose during the fall and winter to allow it to go dormant.
Pruning and Deadheading
Deadhead your desert rose throughout the flowering season to encourage more flowers to emerge. Desert roses shouldn’t need much pruning other than removing any parts of the plant damaged by cold temperatures. Once new growth is visible in the spring, remove any damaged parts of your desert rose.
When Do Desert Roses Bloom FAQs
What Season Do Desert Roses Bloom?
Desert roses bloom from late spring until mid-summer, usually between April and July. They go dormant during the winter after losing their flowers and leaves.
How Long Does it Take for a Desert Rose to Bloom?
Desert roses can usually bloom within seven to eight months of sowing. Providing plenty of sunlight and a monthly dose of fertilizer will help your desert rose to develop quickly.
Why is My Desert Rose Not Flowering?
Your desert rose may not flower if it doesn’t get enough sunlight. Cold temperatures can also damage your desert rose, preventing it from blooming.
Wrapping Up
Desert roses bloom from late spring until mid-summer, typically between April and July. Each flower usually lasts for about ten days. Desert roses can be grown outside in USDA Zones 10 to 12 or indoors as houseplants in colder areas.