5 Reasons for Desert Rose Not Blooming- What Should You Do

Repotting Issues, Lack of sunlight, Water Imbalance and Drainage Issues, Low temperature, and Over fertilizing are mainly responsible for your desert rose(Adenium obesum) not blooming.

Don’t worry! You can easily help your plant to beautifully bloom with proper control measures. And in this article, you will learn those reasons and their solutions that can encourage blooming.

Quick Guide

Desert Rose Repotting

ProblemSolution
Repotting Repotting should occur once every two years in mid-spring.
Sunlight6–8 hours of direct sunlight is recommended.
WateringTwo to three times a week watering (three to four inches deep) is recommended.
TemperatureThe optimum temperature for desert roses is 65°-75°F.
FertilizerA balanced, water-soluble, and phosphorus containing fertilizer is best.

Reasons and Effective Solution for Desert Rose Not Flowering

Why your desert roses have no flowers

1. Repotting Issues

If you’ve recently moved your desert rose from one pot to another and it’s not done correctly, it may hinder your plant from flowering.  

When plants are shifted from one environment to another, some plants want to use all their inherent energy to establish their roots. As a result, there is no energy left for flowering.

So it is common for desert rose plants not to flower for a few days after repotting. But if it is longer then you must understand that your repotting is not done properly.

Control Measure

Desert rose plants need repotting once every two years in mid-spring. Because if done in the middle of spring, the tree will be fresh again in summer and monsoon. 

Repotting is usually required due to plant growth. So you must be careful in selecting a pot for repotting. Always choose a pot that is larger in size than the previous one.

The pot should be cleaned very well. Four to five small holes should be made inside it to ensure adequate water drainage. Water frequently for the first few days after repotting.

2. Lack of Sunlight

It will be difficult for your desert rose to blossom if you place it in a shaded area because sunlight is a must for desert rose to bloom.

Your plant becomes weakened due to insufficient sunlight and then it spends all of its energy on maintaining itself rather than on flowering. Your desert rose also grows leggy as a result of the lack of sunlight.

Pay close attention to your plant’s leaves. Do there any floppy leaves type problems with not blooming? Of course, there isn’t enough sunlight as well.

Control Measure

For a desert rose to blossom well, it needs lots of sunlight. Therefore, if you want to see your desert rose flowering, you must provide 6–8 hours of direct sunlight.

If your plant is indoors, place it where it will benefit from the morning sun. It might be a corner or a window facing east. No such location in your room, then? then utilize a system of artificial lighting (our pick).

Choosing a location where your dessert will receive full morning sun and be shielded from the afternoon sun is necessary if the plant is outdoors.

Although desert roses may tolerate some shade, they will not blossom if they do not receive enough sunlight. So, if you can’t keep them in direct sunlight all day, attempt at least 3–4 hours a day.

3. Water Imbalance and Drainage Issue

Under-watering and over-watering are both responsible for the desert rose’s failure to blossom.

Excessive watering makes the pot soil soggy, and plants that are left on this type of damp soil for an extended period of time run the risk of fungal infections. Consequently, your desert rose becomes weak, and weak plants are not able to produce flowers.

Desert roses will also be at risk from less watering. Your plant will eventually droop as a result of insufficient water. Your plant’s body mechanism will break down if you don’t water it in a timely manner, and your plant may steadily deteriorate.

What precisely is the indication of less watering, then? The most typical symptom is wilted and dry leaves, and during flowering, your plant also doesn’t bloom.

Water imbalance is related to drainage problems as well. Typically, the drainage system is left in the pot to get rid of any extra water the plants need.

However, if your pot’s drainage system is insufficient, water will build up for a long time and your plants will become infected with numerous diseases. Which will prevent your plant from blooming.

Control Measure

Water demand for desert roses varies with the season. In general, two to three times a week watering is recommended. But in winter desert roses need water every two to three weeks. So making a plan for watering is the best idea.

You should observe the water level in your pot soil first during dry seasons. I suggest you water the soil down at least three to four inches during hot weather.

Desert roses need very little water in the winter. However, before watering during the winter, you must be careful about moisture and drainage systems. There should be four to five little holes in the pot.

You can water your plant by using the Soak and Dry method. For that first, you have to thoroughly wet the soil. When the mixture has dried, add some water again and you have to do it continuously. This method is very much effective for desert roses blooming.

4. Over Fertilizing

Over-fertilizing can be dangerous for your plants. A fertilizer that contains too much nitrogen is the main obstacle to your desert rose blooming.

When your plant consumes excess nitrogen, it will be more susceptible to insect and fungal attacks. Also, excess nitrogen causes plant toxicity and reduces iron levels. As a result, the normal functioning of the plant is disrupted.

If you experience your plants not growing well, burnt leaves, and lack of bloom it must be for over-fertilizing.

Control Measure

For the most part, desert roses don’t require excessive amounts of fertilizer to bloom. However, you can use a balanced, water-soluble fertilizer for healthy growth.

But never use such types of fertilizer that contain excessive amounts of nitrogen. It will eliminate your plants’ capacity for blossoming.

You can use fertilizer that contains phosphorus; Bone meal fertilizer is high phosphorus containing and best for desert roses. It works well to promote the flowering of desert roses.

5. Low Temperature

Your desert rose may not blossom if the temperature is too low. Low temperatures can also cause your plant to die.

Low temperatures cause desert roses to become wet. Your plant has root rot issues as a result of excessive wetness. Because of these issues, desert roses won’t be able to bloom.

Also, at low temperatures, plants fail to produce enough nutrients for themselves. As a result, along with the normal growth of the plant, the level of flowering also decreases, and the buds of the flower droop.

Control Measure

The optimum temperature for desert roses is 65°-75°F. You must keep your room temperature above 65 °F if you want to see flowers on your desert rose.

You may live in a low temperature area, in which case you can use a temperature controller for optimum temperature.

Anti-fungal sprays should be applied promptly if root rot problems occur. Avoid keeping your plant in an atmosphere with high humidity. Don’t keep the plants in AC rooms

Frequently Asked Questions(FAQs)

How often do desert roses bloom?

Desert rose plants typically bloom in late spring and early summer. There are also some varieties that flower all year round but require extra care. A flower lasts six to seven days.

When should you prune a desert rose?

Once a year you should prune the desert rose. This pruning should be done every year in February or March before flowering. However, you should avoid unnecessary layoffs.

Final Word

Every plant needs a favorable environment to grow. If it is not ensured, the normal functioning of the plant will be affected. Whenever your desert rose does not bloom, you must understand that there is a lack of a suitable environment. 

In this article, I have discussed in detail all the causes and solutions for Desert Roses not blooming. I hope you can follow my guidelines and get the desired bloom. Happy gardening.

James Rivenburg
James Rivenburg
James Rivenburg

James Rivenburg is the founder of plantandpest.com, a passionate gardener with valuable experience and knowledge gained through trial and error. The website has a large community of followers who trust his tips and techniques and have succeeded with his advice. He is always Committed to helping others create a beautiful and healthy garden.

Leave a Reply

Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *