Alright, let’s talk about desert rose temperature tolerance. I’ve been growing these beauties for a few years now, and figuring out their temperature limits has been a bit of a journey, so I documented it all.
Getting Started
First things first, I got a few small desert rose plants from a local nursery. I’d always loved how they looked, those thick, swollen trunks and the vibrant flowers. I live in a place with hot summers and mild winters, I thought they’d be a good fit.
My Initial Mistakes
Initially, I just treated them like my other succulents. Plenty of sun, not too much water. That worked fine during the summer, when temperatures were consistently in the 80s and 90s (Fahrenheit, of course). They bloomed like crazy, and I was feeling pretty good about my green thumb.
Then winter came. We don’t get snow or anything, but temperatures can dip into the low 40s at night. I noticed the leaves on my desert roses starting to yellow and drop. Panic time!
Research and Adjustments
I hit the internet, reading everything I could find about desert rose care. Turns out, they’re pretty sensitive to cold. Most sources said they don’t like temperatures below 50°F, and prolonged exposure to anything below 40°F can be really bad.
- Step 1: I moved my plants indoors whenever the forecast predicted temperatures below 50°F. I put them near a sunny window, which seemed to help.
- Step 2: I cut back on watering. During the cooler months, they need way less water. Overwatering in cold weather is a recipe for root rot.
- Step3: I was so anxious that I bought a simple temperature monitor to keep near the plants, just to be extra sure.
The Results
With these changes, my desert roses bounced back. They stopped dropping leaves, and while they didn’t bloom during the winter (that’s normal), they looked healthy.
The leaves will get better when it gets warmer.
What I Learned
The key takeaway for me is that desert roses are tough, but they do have limits.
Pay attention to the temperature, and don’t be afraid to bring them inside if it gets too cold. And remember less water in the winter.
It’s been a learning experience, but seeing those gorgeous blooms in the summer makes it all worthwhile.
If you’re thinking about growing desert roses, go for it! Just be prepared to give them a little extra TLC when the temperature drops.
