Adenium Desert Rose

Growing Guide

Desert Roses (adeniums) originating from the arid deserts around the world, Adenium are shrub-like plants belonging to the succulent family. They develop a large caudex (root base) which is used to store water in its tissues and produce a mass of delicate flowers when in full bloom. This is where it gets its common name: the Desert Rose. There are a number of flower colours including pinks, reds, whites and rarer yellows. The most common colour desert rose is pink, but there are hundreds of different variations within this colour alone. There are single or doubles flowering plants, but I find the single more attractive. Some varieties are know for getting a big caudex and a smaller flower. The most common variety is Adenium Obesum, but there are others which differ in leaf shape and colour.

The presence of their large caudex and their ability to be shaped and grown in small containers, means that the Desert Rose is a popular plant for bonsai. To display the caudex, make sure you lift the plant higher out of the soil each time you repot it, exposing more of that caudex each time.

Desert Roses (Adeniums) are a good plant for the patio or planted straight in the garden. They don't like continuous wet feet as it can rot them, but sandy well drained soil is the best. A common misconception is that they don't need much watering at all, but in the hotter months up here they will thrive on regular watering and fertilizing. If in doubt don't water until completely dry. In winter they experience leaf drop as the plant goes dormant, and at this stage it is best to cut back the watering.

Growing Desert rose plants can be done by seed or by cutting , but the cutting method may not produce a large caudex. Seeds can be collected from the plant when it develops its horn shaped seed pods. The difficult part is catching the seeds before they float away in th breeze. I prefer to tie the pods up and keep a close watch on them for a couple of days. Once the seed has been collected it is easily sprouted in general potting mix keep moist. Germination will usually be within a week when the seeds are planted about 1cm deep. Desert Rose Adeniums can be grafted so you end up with a few different colours on the one plant.

Hope this guide helps with your Desert Rose propagation!

They can be grown in most locations and can be sent bare rooted by
Australia Post as they are very hardy.

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