Sturt's desert rose Plant Care

Sturt's desert rose (Gossypium sturtianum) belongs to the Malvaceae family within the Gossypium genus. Sturt's desert rose is native to most mainland states of Australia and the Northern Territory. Sturt's desert rose is also known as Cotton bush, Cotton.

Sturt's desert rose displays an upright, branching shrub growth habit, reaching up to 6 ft tall with a spread of approximately 4 ft. Sturt's desert rose produces showy, hibiscus-like flowers in white, pink, or yellow.

Leaf size: approximately 4 inches.

Water a young or newly planted Sturt's desert rose every 7–14 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.

Sturt's desert rose thrives in full sun.

Gossypium sturtianum tolerates temperatures of 65–85°F. Sturt's desert rose prefers humidity levels of 50–70%. A pebble tray or humidifier helps maintain adequate moisture around the plant.

Well-draining sandy loam with good organic content. Good drainage is essential for Sturt's desert rose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.

Feed Sturt's desert rose every 6 months during the growing season with a balanced, slow-release fertilizer at the rate on the label. Established trees in good soil often need little extra feeding, so let weak growth or pale foliage guide you.

Stop feeding by late summer so new growth can harden before winter.

The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.

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

Sturt's desert rose is suited to USDA Zone 13b.

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.

Sturt's desert rose can spread to about 4 ft (1.2 m) and reach about 6 ft (2 m) tall. Space plants about 4 ft (1.2 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 Sturt's 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.

Sturt's desert rose is frost-tender (hardy to USDA zone 13). In colder areas grow it in a container and move it to a bright, frost-free place before the first frost.

Sturt's desert rose can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to wild cotton plant care, which shares the same genus.

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Sturt's desert rose is susceptible to aphids, whiteflies, thrips. 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.

Sturt's desert rose grows outdoors in USDA Zone 13b. It survives winters down to planting zone 13b. Sturt's desert rose is native to most mainland states of Australia and the Northern Territory. In cooler regions, grow Sturt's desert rose as a houseplant or bring it indoors before the first frost.