Rosa stellata
Images by part: leaf (1) · flower (1) · fruit (2) · bark (0) · habit (0) · other (0)

Rosa stellata

Desert rose

Tier 1 Difficulty: hard Water: high Light: full_sun
Temperature
15–35 °C
Soil pH
6–7
Hardiness
Zone 7–10
Click count
89
Observations
5

Description

Source: leafsnap

Rosa stellata is a species of rose known by the common names desert rose, gooseberry rose, and star rose. In Texas this type of rose grows on dry rocky places to 6,500 feet (2,000 m), such as the Trans-Pecos. It occurs in the mountain canyons of Arizona and New Mexico. It also grows in dry, rocky places. It has trifoliate leaves, deep rose purple blossoms and yellowish white prickles on the petioles and stems. It is a perennial shrub with velvety, deciduous leaves. Some horticulturists consider it to be a browse plant.Rosa stellata can be used as a groundcover or small shrub and grows best when partially exposed to sunlight. The purple flowers bloom in the summer and it typically grows to be between 16 and 24 inches tall. It attracts native bees and bumble bees. Native bees also use the plant for nesting materials.

Care Guide

💧 Water

The desert rose thrives in arid environments by carefully balancing water absorption and evaporation, making it well-suited to drought conditions. It is recommended to water the plant every 1-2 weeks. When grown outdoors, the desert rose enters a dormant phase during dry seasons, which significantly decreases its water needs.

☀️ Light Full sun

Desert rose is native to open habitats, like sunny meadows and forest edges, that provide abundant light. It thrives in Full Sun but can also tolerate Partial Sun, adapting well to a range of sunlight conditions.

Ideal: Full sun
FAQ
What are the sunlight requirements for a Desert Rose?

The Desert Rose (Rosa stellata) thrives under specific sunlight conditions. It requires 'Full sun', which is defined as receiving more than 6 hours of sunlight per day, for optimal growth. However, it can also tolerate 'Partial sun', meaning it can grow with about 3-6 hours of sunlight a day. It's important to observe the movement of sunlight through your garden carefully. This will help you identify spots that offer the right balance of light and shade, ensuring the Desert Rose's well-being.

🌡️ Temperature 15–35°C

Desert rose shows considerable adaptability to a range of climates, from scorching summers to chilly winters. However, it has a preferred temperature range for healthy growth. If temperatures rise too high, the plant becomes vulnerable to heat and humidity stress, which can cause it to die. In areas where temperatures approach the lower limit of its cold tolerance, insulating measures should be used to protect the plant.

Ideal temperature: 15–35°C
💨 Humidity
Humidity:
🪴 Soil 6-7
Soil pH: 6-7
🌱 Fertilizer

The timing of fertilizing a Desert rose is important. Begin fertilizing in early spring and continue once a month through early summer. Fertilizer encourages attractive blooms and supplies energy during both dormant and active growth periods.

🪴 Pot & Repot
✂️ Pruning

The desert rose is a drought-tolerant plant known for its star-shaped flowers. To keep it healthy and encourage more blooms, it’s important to prune it annually, ideally in early spring. This involves removing dead branches and thinning out parts of the plant to promote good air circulation. Regular pruning boosts the plant’s vigor and increases flower production. Additionally, always use sterilized tools when pruning to prevent the spread of diseases and maintain the plant’s health.

🌿 Propagating
🐛 Diseases & pets
☠️ Toxicity

Characteristics

Plant Type
Shrub
Life Cycle
Perennial
Genus
Rosa
Family
Rosaceae
Hardiness Zone
7-10
Mature Height
30 cm to 91 cm
Mature Spread
30 cm to 61 cm
Leaf Color
Green
Leaf Type
Deciduous
Flower Color
Pink
Flower Size
3.05 cm to 5.08 cm
Bloom Time
Mid spring, Late spring
Planting Time
Spring, Summer
Harvest Time
Mid summer, Late summer

Tags (6)

Common Names (1)

en Desert rose