The Lenten rose is a winter-blooming, broadleaf evergreen. It typically grows up to 45 cm tall in a bushy, upright clump. The flowers are large, cup-shaped and nodding, and have overlapping petals. They appear in clusters of 1 to 4 blooms in colors varying from white, and pink, to light rose. Flowers rise above the foliage on a thick stem. Blooms appear in late winter and persist into spring. The foliage is dark green, glossy, and palmately divided.
The Lenten rose has many attractive features. It is easy to cultivate, hardy and long-lived. All parts of the plant contain toxins that can be harmful to humans and pets if ingested.