Desert Rose Plant Care

Desert Rose (Fouquieria diguetii) belongs to the Fouquieriaceae family within the Fouquieria genus. Desert Rose is native to the southern half of the Baja California Peninsula, and the coasts of Sonora and Sinaloa. Desert Rose is also known as Ocotillo.

Desert Rose displays a drought-tolerant shrub growth habit, reaching up to 10 ft tall with a spread of approximately 8 ft. Desert Rose produces tubular red or orange flowers.

Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Desert Rose every 14–21 days, soaking the whole root zone, until it is established — usually one to two growing seasons. Established trees mainly need water during long dry spells. In a container, water whenever the top few centimetres of soil are dry.

Desert Rose thrives in full sun.

Fouquieria diguetii tolerates temperatures of 50–100°F. Desert Rose prefers humidity levels of 10–40%.

Sandy, well-draining soil with low organic matter content. Good drainage is essential for Desert Rose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Choose a spot with full sun and sandy, well-draining soil with low organic matter content. Avoid low spots where water collects after rain.

Desert Rose is suited to USDA Zone 12a.

Plant container-grown or balled-and-burlapped trees in spring or early autumn, setting the root flare at soil level, and water well after planting.

Desert Rose can spread to about 8 ft (2.4 m) and reach about 10 ft (3 m) tall. Space plants about 8 ft (2.4 m) apart so mature crowns don't crowd each other, and plant at least half that distance from buildings, fences and paths.

Planning a row or hedge? Try the tree spacing calculator.

Prune Desert Rose while it is dormant in late winter: first remove dead, damaged and crossing branches, then thin lightly for shape.

If it flowers in spring, prune right after flowering instead so you don't remove next year's buds. Never take off more than about a quarter of the tree in one year.

Desert Rose is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 12). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Desert Rose can be propagated through seeds. Similar propagation techniques also apply to ocotillo plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Desert Rose is susceptible to spider mites, scale insects. Inspect the foliage regularly, especially along leaf undersides and stems. Treat infestations promptly with insecticidal soap or neem oil to prevent spread.

Yellow leaves, brown tips or drooping? See common plant problems and how to fix them.

Desert Rose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 12a. It survives winters down to planting zone 12a. Desert Rose is native to the southern half of the Baja California Peninsula, and the coasts of Sonora and Sinaloa. In cooler regions, grow Desert Rose as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.