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What is my houseplant buddy’s name?

Hi Judy,
I live on the upper west side of NYC and have had this plant for 25 years, sometimes it thrives, other times not so well. It has become my buddy and it is suffering through my apartment’s renovation. I know nothing about what type of plant it is nor what is the best pot or soil type to place it in.
Thanks,
Fred

Hi Fred,

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Your plant buddy is called a Desert Rose. A Desert Rose Plant is a type of Caudiciform or “fat plant” because of its thick bulbous base. Here are some care tips that might help you.

Light
A Desert Rose Plant needs bright indirect light.
Water
The fat bulbous trunk of a Desert Rose Plant stores water so be sure the soil totally dries out before watering this plant. If the soil of a Desert Rose Plant gets excessively dry, the plant becomes dormant until you give it some water and wake it up.
fertilizerPlants need fertilizer only when they are actively growing. Slow growing plants in low light require very little plant food. Too much fertilizer is worse than not enough. Most plants prefer a water soluble plant food at 1/2 the recommended strength. Plants that are in bloom or dormant should not be fertilized. Houseplant food contains nitrogen (N), phosphorus (P), and potassium (K). A fertilizer containing these elements in equal proportion is considered a balanced plant food. Nitrogen helps in photosynthesis and encourages the growth of leaves and stems. Potassium and phosphorus also help in photosynthesis and aid in root and flower development. Most fertilizers have trace elements of other minerals that are lacking in the soil but are necessary for good plant growth. Fertilizers have a high salt content. If a plant is not producing new leaves and doesn’t absorb the fertilizer, salts build up in the soil. These salts can burn the roots, discolor the leaves, and cause new growth to be small.  
Fertilize a Desert Rose Plant with a plant food specifically recommended for flowering plants. The food for flowering plants should always be lower in nitrogen and higher in phosphorous (10/20/10). Feed a Desert Rose Plant monthly from late spring until the early fall. When feeding a Desert Rose Plant, always reduce the plant food to ½ the recommended strength.
Temperature
A Desert Rose requires very warm temperatures. Keep the room above 60 degrees and avoid placing a Desert Rose near air conditioners or cold drafts.
Humidity
This plant does well in basic household humidity.
Flowering
Flowering occurs throughout the year but is more prolific in the spring and fall. Older plants that are well cared for produce the most blooms. The flowers come in red,white, pink, and rose.
Soil
The soil for a Desert Rose needs to be a loose fast draining mixture that won’t become soggy and heavy. Add hard sand to your usual potting soil or buy a mixture made specifically for cacti and succulents
propagationLearn how to propagate plants by plant division at https://www.houseplant411.com/glossary
propagation from seeds is best, but rarely possible when a Desert Rose is an indoor plant. Stem cuttings can be used to propagate a Desert Rose plant but the new plants often lack the trunks with fat bases that make a Desert Rose Plant so interesting.
poisonousPlants are a great addition to homes and offices, but it’s important to know whether your plants are dangerous to children, pets, or even adults. Some plants contain chemicals such as oxalates, solanine, glycosides, or alkaloid lycorine that may cause vomiting, nausea, diarrhea, swelling and redness of the mouth, throat, and lips, and trouble breathing. Touching parts of certain plants, especially the sap, may cause various skin irritations. The weight and age of the human or pet involved, and the part and amount of plant eaten determine how severe the reaction to the toxins will be. Although plants may be listed as non-toxic, they can still cause individual allergic reactions. If there is any question after a houseplant has been ingested or touched immediately call the Poison Control Center 1-800-222-1222 The Handbook of Poisonous and Injurious Plants [Paperback]is an excellent reference to keep around if you have young children and pets. Plant Info
A Desert Rose plant is a poisonous houseplant with a #2 Toxicity level.
I don’t know if your plant has ever bloomed, but here is a picture of a Desert Rose Plant with flowers.
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You can read more about a Desert Rose Plant in the Popular Houseplant section of the website.
http://www.houseplant411.com/houseplant/desert-rose-plant