Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz’ is a beautiful evergreen succulent that has been popular in cultivation for many years. Bred from Delosperma cooperi, these plants are hardy, drought-tolerant, and heat-resistant—all great qualities when you’re growing them in your own home!
This article covers what you must know about growing Jewel of the Desert rose quartz succulents, including how to propagate them from cuttings and where they’re best suited for your home.
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About Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz’
Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz’ grows as a stemless rosette with thick leaves that are often covered with fuzzy hairs. The leaves are usually green or grayish-green, but they can also be purplish-red or purple-brown. The plant produces beautiful flowers in late spring with white petals and yellow centers.
These blooms serve as the main attraction for these plants and last all the way until the first frost sets in, making the length of the blooming season almost the entire year!
Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz’ Care
This succulent is very easy to grow and care for, making it an excellent choice for beginner gardeners or anyone who wants to attract butterflies and hummingbirds to their yards.
Light
The Jewel of the Desert Rose Quartz needs bright, direct sunlight. It can take more than 5 hours of direct sunlight per day, even in warmer months. In winter, when the weather is cooler, you will need to supplement with artificial light to keep your plant happy and healthy.
Soil
The soil for this plant should be well-draining, sandy, and not too fertile. You can use a cactus mix or a mixture of sand, peat moss, and perlite. You can also use regular potting soil if it’s mixed with sand. The soil should be slightly acidic, so add some peat moss or dried pine needles to the mix if needed.
Water
Water your Jewel of Desert Rose Quartz when the soil starts to dry out completely between waterings. You don’t want to over-water your plant as this can lead to root rot or fungus problems which will kill your plant! If you don’t know how often to water your plants, then try looking at the soil. If it’s dry, it’s time to water.
Temperature
This plant is a very hardy succulent and can survive in temperatures down to 20 degrees Fahrenheit. However, it does prefer temperatures between 60 and 80 degrees Fahrenheit. The plant will not tolerate cold drafts from open windows or doors, so ensure that your greenhouse has good ventilation but is not drafty.
Humidity
Like most succulents, this plant prefers a dry environment. In high humidity, the greenhouse should be ventilated to prevent moisture buildup on the leaves. Average room conditions of 30-50% humidity are okay.
Fertilizer
The Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz doesn’t require much fertilizer at all. Feed it once or twice during the growing season with a balanced, all purpose fertilizer diluted to half its recommended strength. Any more than this will produce an abundance of new leaves that may not get enough light in their newly exposed positions and may die back prematurely or fall off altogether.
Pruning
Pruning your Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz is not an essential part of its care, but it can make your plant look even more beautiful than it already does.
If you choose to prune your plant, you should do so right after blooming when most of its leaves have died back naturally. You can remove any dead or damaged foliage at this time as well.
If possible, pruning should be done by cutting away sections from the base of each leaf or stem with sharp pruning shears or garden scissors.
Potting and Repotting Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz’
Repotting is a good way to maintain the health of your plants. It is recommended that you repot once every two years, but it’s important to know when and how often you should repot.
This plant doesn’t like being moved too frequently and can get stressed if it is moved during its blooming season. You should also wait until after the plant has finished flowering before repotting it.
Prepare
How to Repot (Step-by-Step)
- Remove the succulent from its current pot by pushing down on the soil and gently pulling it out.
- Loosen the roots with your fingers and remove any dead or decaying roots.
- Fill a new pot with your choice of soil, filling it no more than halfway full. (If you’re using a plastic container, make sure it has drainage holes.)
- Place the plant in the new pot and fill in around it with more soil until it is about 2 inches from the top of the container.
Propagating Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz’ (Step-by-Step)
- Select a cutting that is at least 3 inches long and has at least one node (a place where a leaf or stem branches off).
- Fill a container with sand and water it until the sand is wet throughout.
- Push the cutting into the sand, so it sits about 1/4 inch below the surface of the sand.
- Cover it loosely with plastic wrap or another material that allows light through but retains moisture inside to increase humidity.
- Set the container in bright sunlight for 5 to 7 days until new roots form on the cutting.
- Remove the plastic wrap and move the container into indirect sunlight for three more weeks before transplanting it into a larger pot.
Blooms
The flowers of Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz’ are pink, with a hint of purple at the base. The flowers have a sweet fragrance, which attracts bees and other pollinators.
These flowers are incredibly long-lasting, first appearing near the end of spring and lasting until early winter.
Toxicity
Delosperma ‘Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz’ is not toxic to humans or animals. It is considered safe to be grown around pets and children.
NOTE: This page is not intended as a substitute for veterinary advice. The toxicity of an ingested substance varies depending on the amount ingested, the animal’s weight, and its sensitivity to specific allergens. Contact your veterinarian or local animal poison control center immediately if you think your pet may have ingested a toxic substance.
Common Pests
Aphids
Aphids are tiny, sap-sucking insects that can damage and stunt the growth of your Jewel of the Desert Rosequartz. They can be identified by their pear-shaped bodies and a pair of short, tail-like structures called cornicles. They feed on plants by sucking out the sap through their needle-like mouthparts. They are mostly found on the undersides of leaves, where they spread viruses or bacteria that can cause disease in your plant.
Mealybugs
Mealybugs look like tiny white balls covered in a waxy coating. They feed on plant sap and cause damage by sucking sap from leaves, stems, and roots. If you find mealybugs on your plant, there may be an infestation nearby that you should address before it spreads further throughout your garden.
Spider Mites
Spider mites are tiny arachnids that suck nutrients from plant tissue. Their feeding causes leaves to turn yellow or brown, which can lead to death if left untreated.
AVOID
- Overwatering
- Placing under harsh sunlight
- Using poorly drained potting mediums
- Fertilizing during dormancy
