Desert Rose 

Other Common Names:  mock Azalea, Impala Lily, Sabi Star

Temperature:  50-80 degrees Fahrenheit

I strongly recommend the Desert Rose plant to people who are missing their green thumb.  They require very little care and will take a good amount of neglect.  No need to hire a plant sitter when you go away on your two week vacations, your plant will survive until you return. 

The Desert Rose is a succulent plant, which means it does best in bright light, the more sunlight the better.  Your free plant requires well drained soil.  During the hot months the Desert Rose will require more water and loves fertilizer, so feed rather generously.  But during the winter months your plant will like to be ignored, no fertilizing and cut back the watering to a minimum. 

I’m not sure why this plant is called the Desert Rose, when I hear Rose I think of a rose bush.  First the flowers from the Desert Rose look nothing like the ones on a Rose bush.  Secondly your Desert Rose will not produce any thorns, which is a plus.  The colors range from various shades of pinks and reds to white and yellow and some even with multicolored flowers.  Desert Rose normally blooms continuously in spring and summer, but it is not unusual to see a bloom every now and again throughout the year.

The Desert Rose can also make a great indoor plant if place next to a window that receives direct sunlight. Under the right conditions it will grow rather fast.  Before placing your Desert Rose inside you should know that the sap that comes from the Desert Rose is highly toxic.  In fact in Africa they place this poison sap on their arrows when hunting.  So be careful when handling and pruning, don’t touch your eyes and always wash your hands…do I sound like your mother?  Hundreds of people handle these plants without any problem but like your mother says…better safe than sorry.

Enjoy your Free Plant!