types of desert rose

Desert Rose Plant Features

Looking for a dramatic low-water succulent plant? Try desert rose! This sun-loving plant is perfect for you if you don't want to water a lot and want a variety that looks different than the typical spiky, spiny succulents.

Desert rose looks like a bonsai; it has a thick, swollen truck (that holds water during times of drought) and shiny, dark green leaves. But the real appeal comes from its showy, trumpet-shaped flowers that appear in festive shades of pink, white, purple, and red. Look around and you can often find bicolor varieties, types with double flowers, or those with variegated foliage.

Desert rose looks beautiful when planted in the landscape as an annual (in the North) or perennial (in frost-free regions), but is also an excellent tropical plant for container gardens. No matter where you grow desert rose, it's a perfect companion for cacti and other succulents.