How Often to Water a Desert Rose? A Detailed Guide to Growing It from Seed

At the sound of its name, you might think a beautiful rose has grown in the desert, but that is not the case. It is actually a succulent in the Apocynaceae family; it is only because its place of origin is fairly close to the desert. Although its appearance differs from that of a rose, the two share a similar color, hence the name. Now let's take a look at how its seeds are actually planted.

How to Water a Desert Rose (How Often to Water)

Spring and autumn are the vigorous growing seasons, so water thoroughly and keep the potting soil moist, but not overly wet. Water by the principle of "water when dry, and when dry, water thoroughly." In early spring and late autumn, when temperatures are lower, watering should be moderated.

In winter, reduce watering and keep the potting soil dry, but water if it becomes too dry. In the high heat of summer, water once a day; at other times, water once every 2-3 days.

How to Plant Desert Rose Seeds

1. Prepare in advance the pot and soil for growing the seeds. At this stage, you are raising seedlings, so the flower pot can be chosen as needed. Use a granular soil with good air permeability; you can buy a special succulent mix from the market.

2. The soil for sowing should be neither too dry nor too wet. If the soil is too dry, add a small amount of water and mix evenly until the soil color gradually darkens, but it still crumbles when picked up and does not stick to your hands. Put the prepared soil into the pot and level the surface.

3. Before sowing, you also need to soak the pot. Place an appropriate amount of water in a container large enough to hold the flower pot, then set the pot filled with soil into the container and wait for the water to slowly soak up into the pot until it is thoroughly wet, to the point that pressing lightly with a finger brings out water.

4. Put the desert rose seeds into the flower pot. The long, strip-shaped seeds are best placed flat, with a certain distance between each one, leaving suitable spacing for transplanting the seedlings later. A 10 cm square flower pot is best with five seeds, and no more than ten at most, so that the roots are not damaged during later transplanting, which would make it hard for them to survive.

5. After the seeds are placed, evenly scatter a layer of soil over them to cover them. Do not make the soil too thick; a thin layer is enough. Then pat it lightly with your hand, and place the flower pot in a ventilated, airy spot, but avoid direct sunlight.

6. After planting, the seeds sprout in four or five days, and leaves grow in eight or nine days. Once three or four leaves have grown, you can divide them into separate pots, and two or three years after repotting, they can bloom.

Precautions for Growing Desert Rose

Desert rose is not cold-tolerant. In winter, move it indoors to grow, keep the potting soil dry, and never water it while it is dormant, so that it can get through the winter safely. When seedlings are transplanted or planted too deep, root disease may be triggered. When choosing soil, choose a sandy soil with good drainage, and add some plant ash and leaf mold as appropriate.

In winter it enters dormancy; when the temperature is below 10 degrees, it will drop its leaves, so keep the soil dry.

What to Do If Desert Rose Leaves Turn Yellow

1. Not yet adapted to the environment: A newly purchased desert rose is in its adaptation period, and a small number of yellow leaves is very common and perfectly normal. After a while, once it adapts on its own, it will be fine.

If a large number of leaves turn yellow, or it is even close to dying, then it may be due to other reasons. Keep reading below.

2. Poor ventilation: Poor ventilation will inevitably cause yellow leaves, and in severe cases the whole plant may rot and die. The solution is to take it out to "catch some breeze," that is, move it to a well-ventilated spot such as a balcony or windowside.

3. Root rot: Plant roots need to breathe. Keeping the soil loose matters; if the flower pot is not breathable, it can easily cause root rot, and once the roots rot, the plant naturally cannot absorb enough nutrients.

The solution is to cut off the rotted parts and loosen the soil. If the roots are completely rotted, then there is no saving it.

4. Insufficient light: Desert rose is a sun-loving plant, and sufficient light is needed to ensure normal growth. If you currently have it in a shaded place, hurry and let it take a sunbath.

Although the desert rose has fairly strong vitality, it still cannot escape the attack of some diseases, and yellowing leaves are a condition it is often prone to. When you run into this problem, there is no need to worry too much; as long as you identify the symptoms and treat the cause, it can be solved. But even the best solution is no match for careful care.