Adenium - known by its romantic name of desert rose - impresses with its natural beauty and unique flowers. This mini baobab is an exceptionally showy succulent that is perfect for growing at home. As an extremely charming plant, it makes an original decoration for flats as well as balconies and terraces. The desert rose is appreciated by bonsai tree collectors, but will also be perfect for less experienced plant loversn. n. 

Adenium species and varieties

Adenium is an extremely attractive plant, very much chosen for their collections by lovers of exotics and bonsai trees. Depending on how it is classified, the genus includes six species or just one with five subspecies. A distinction is made between adenium boehmianum, adenium dhofarense, adenium multiflorum, adenium obesum, adenium oleifolium, adenium swazicum. In domestic cultivation, only adenium obesum, also known as banded adenium and Arabian adenium, is actually used.

Adenium, the desert rose

Adenium obesum is a tropical succulent in the toine family (Apocynaceae). It is an evergreen shrub native to the desert and semi-desert areas of Africa and the Arabian Peninsula. Representatives of the species have been given many names, the most popular being desert rose and mini baobab. The Adenium attracts attention with its large, olive-coloured leaves and picturesque habit. The great ornamental value of the desert rose is its flowers in the shape of elongated tubes ending in widely-spaced petals. Depending on the cultivar, they take on colours of white-pink, purple, violet or even white. When in flower, adenium obesum impresses with its appearance resembling a small tree with a beautiful flowering crown. A distinctive feature of the desert rose is its tree-like stem. The plant produces what is known as a caudex, the thickened part between the root and the stem. This serves as a reservoir for the plant to store water and nutrients. The Adenium is a species valued by collectors. It tolerates pruning exceptionally well, allowing it to be formed into a bonsai tree.

Adenium obesum cultivation

Growing and caring for a desert rose does not require a lot of work or time. However, to live to see the flowers, the plant needs to be properly cared for by meeting a few basic growing conditions:

✔️ position

A warm site with plenty of light is best for adeniums. During the summer season, you can put the plant out on a balcony or terrace, protecting it from heavy rain.

✔️ temperature

Banded Adenium requires a relatively high growing temperature of 20 to 30°C. However, it tolerates temperature drops below 10°C badly. In summer, it is advisable to move the desert rose away from the southern windowsill so that the sun does not burn it.

✔️ substrate

A light, permeable and nutrient-rich substrate is required to grow the desert rose in a pot. A ready-made substrate for succulents will work very well. It is advisable to sprinkle a layer of drainage such as expanded clay on the bottom of the pot. This will prevent flooding and root rot.

✔️ watering and fertilizing

Skilful watering is the secret to success in desert rose cultivation. This is because its biggest enemy is excess water. The plant stores water perfectly thanks to its storage organ in the form of a thickened stem. It therefore tolerates drought better than flooding. It is best to wait until the ground dries out a little before watering. The frequency of watering depends on several factors: the ambient temperature, the size of the pot and the size of the plant itself. During the growth and flowering period, it is a good idea to feed the adenium with a suitable fertiliser, e.g. for cacti and succulents.

How fast does the desert rose grow?

In the wild, the desert rose has a shrubby form. It grows to a height of approximately 3m. Grown in temperate climates as a pot plant, adenium obesum is characterised by slow growth. Thanks to the work of breeders, the indoor version of the desert rose is small in size. Its height does not exceed 50-60 cm. The desert rose is distinguished by its exceptionally friendly form and occupies a small space. As a result, it is a well-balanced interior decoration and fits perfectly into any room design style. It is also worth knowing that, despite its beauty, the desert rose secretes poisonous sap. Therefore, when growing it in a home where there are pets or children, this flower should be kept out of their reach.