Do You Water A Desert Rose By Just Spraying Water On The Leaves Or Do You Water The Soil As Well.

Question

I was told to only water my desert rose by spray bottle and not water the soil. Can you please advise how to water this plant.

Answer 1

They may have been talking about its dormant period when it needs less water or the native Australian desert rose.

In Australia, there are two native varieties. If you have one of those, they need less water than the sub-Saharan Africa varieties. So make sure which you have.

For the African variety, Adenium obesum, in the spring and summer, especially if it is outside, it needs the soil watered regularly. They like hot and dry surroundings, so misting is not needed. Well draining soil is a must, or root rot can become an issue.

These articles about the African varieties should help:
https://www.gardeningknowhow.com/ornamental/flowers/desert-rose/caring-for-desert-rose-plants.htm
https://plants.ces.ncsu.edu/plants/adenium-obesum/

This is about a native Australian desert rose, which needs little water:
https://parksaustralia.gov.au/uluru/discover/nature/plants/sturts-desert-rose/
https://www.anbg.gov.au/gnp/interns-2002/gossypium-sturtianum.html