Photo: KENPEICC BY-SA 3.0via Wikimedia Commonsresized / cropped
Desert Rose Plant Care
Ipomoea githaginea Hochst. ex A.Rich.
Updated · Sources · How we source care data
Native to the deserts of North America, this plant's most distinctive feature is its fuzzy, silver-gray leaves that shimmer in the sunlight. Plant collectors are drawn to its unique foliage and drought tolerance, making it a desirable addition to xeriscape gardens in arid climates.
Every 7–10 days
Full sun to partial shade
60–80°F
40–60%
At a glance
How do you care for Desert Rose?
Water Desert Rose every 7–10 days, letting the top layer of soil dry out between waterings, and give it full sun to partial shade. It prefers temperatures of 60–80°F (16–27°C) and 40–60% humidity. Fertilize it every month during the growing season. It is reported as toxic to pets, so keep it out of reach of pets.
Where Is the Desert Rose Native To?
- Antigua and Barbuda
- Aruba
- Bahamas
- Barbados
- Belize
- Bolivia
- Brazil
- Cayman Islands
- Colombia
- Costa Rica
- Cuba
- Curaçao
- Dominica
- Dominican Republic
- Ecuador
- El Salvador
- French Guiana
- Grenada
- Guadeloupe
- Guatemala
- Guyana
- Haiti
- Honduras
- Jamaica
- Martinique
- Mexico
- Nicaragua
- Panama
- Paraguay
- Peru
- Puerto Rico
- Saint Kitts and Nevis
- Saint Lucia
- Saint Vincent and the Grenadines
- Suriname
- Trinidad and Tobago
- Turks and Caicos Islands
- Venezuela
- Virgin Islands, British
- Virgin Islands, U.S.
What Is the Desert Rose?
Desert Rose (Ipomoea githaginea) belongs to the Convolvulaceae family within the Ipomoea genus. Desert Rose is native to the tropical Americas, and has been introduced widely across the world. Desert Rose is also known as Morning Glory, Convolvulus nil, Convolvuloides triloba.
Desert Rose displays a vining, trailing growth habit, reaching up to 1 ft tall with a spread of approximately 2 ft. Desert Rose produces showy trumpet-shaped flowers in various colors.
Leaf size: approximately 3 inches.
How Often Should You Water a Desert Rose?
Ipomoea githaginea requires watering every 7–10 days. Allow the top layer of soil to dry between waterings to prevent root rot. Reduce watering frequency during winter when growth slows.
Watering Frequency
Every 7–10 days
Let soil partially dry between waterings
What Light Does the Desert Rose Need?
Desert Rose thrives in full sun to partial shade.
Light Requirement
Full sun to partial shade
What Temperature and Humidity Does the Desert Rose Prefer?
Ipomoea githaginea grows best at temperatures of 60–80°F. Desert Rose prefers humidity levels of 40–60%.
Temperature
60–80°F
Humidity
40–60%
What Soil Mix Works Best for a Desert Rose?
Well-draining, fertile soil with added compost or organic matter. Good drainage is essential for Desert Rose to prevent waterlogging, which leads to root rot and fungal issues.
How Often Should You Fertilize a Desert Rose?
Feed Desert Rose every month during the growing season (spring and summer) with a balanced fertilizer diluted to the strength on the label.
Pause feeding in autumn and winter, when growth slows, and never fertilize dry soil — water first.
Fertilizing
Every month
During the growing season
The PlantoScan app can remind you when to water and when to fertilize each plant.
How Do You Repot a Desert Rose?
Repot annually in spring. Choose a pot one size larger than the current container, and ensure it has drainage holes to allow excess water to escape.
How Do You Propagate a Desert Rose?
Desert Rose can be propagated through seeds, stem cuttings. Similar propagation techniques also apply to sweet potato vine plant care, which shares the same genus.
Is the Desert Rose Toxic to Pets and Children?
Toxic (caution)
Reported as toxic in our plant data. Not verified by the ASPCA.
This is a general caution, not veterinary or medical advice. If your pet ate a plant, contact your vet or animal poison control.
See all plants toxic to cats and plants toxic to dogs.
What Pests and Diseases Affect the Desert Rose?
Desert Rose is susceptible to aphids, spider mites, whiteflies. 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.
Keep exploring plants
Desert Rose is one of many species covered in the complete plant care and identification guide, which groups plants by genus, attribute, and popularity.
It belongs to the Ipomoea genus — compare its care with other Ipomoea species on PlantoScan.
Ipomoea is part of the Convolvulaceae plant family — browse all Convolvulaceae genera and species.
Desert Rose thrives in bright light and direct sun — see other bright-light plants.
More Ipomoea Species
Other Ipomoea species in PlantoScan's care catalogue share similar watering, light, and soil preferences:
Sources
- Scientific name & taxonomy: Ipomoea githaginea Hochst. ex A.Rich., family Convolvulaceae (first published in Tent. Fl. Abyss. 2: 65 (1850)) — World Flora Online record, IPNI name record.
- Pet toxicity: Desert Rose is reported as toxic to pets in our plant data (not verified by the ASPCA), so treat it with caution. Checked against the ASPCA plant list; any other toxicity note on this page comes from PlantoScan's plant database.
- Photo: KENPEI, CC BY-SA 3.0, Wikimedia Commons — original.
- Care values(watering, light, temperature, humidity, soil, fertilizing): PlantoScan's plant database, filtered by automatic plausibility checks — values that fail them are hidden. How we source and check plant data.
Spotted a mistake? Email info@upvision.media with the page link — we check and correct reported errors.
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