Overview. The desert rose is a succulent plant that is native to East Africa where it grows 6 to 10 feet tall in the wild.The plant produces 2-inch, pink, trumpet-shaped flowers and fleshy green foliage. The flowers appear in late winter to early summer, depending on the area.verview. The desert rose is a succulent plant that is native to East Africa where it grows 6 to 10 feet tall in the wild.